Grab your swim suit and towel. The Broad Ripple Pool is open as of May 25, 2013.

Located in Broad Ripple Park, the pool is open Saturdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 12 noon to 6 p.m., Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and other days from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday nights and later on Saturday are good times to avoid the crowds.

But don't delay. As with last year, the pool closes on August 4! Per Maureen Faul, spokesperson for IndyParks, the early closing is because many life guards and other staff return to school. (Prior to 2005, the pool was open weekends until Labor Day.) Faul says they manage all 12 city pools and many schools return to school in early August leaving them with no choice but to close.

The fees are as follows: free for ages 2 and under, just $3 for adults under 55 years old, and $2 for youth (3-17 years old) and adults over 55.

The Broad Ripple Park pool offers swim lessons, a swim team, and water aerobics. Call for registration @ 327-7161 (Broad Ripple Family Center). Finally, June 18 will be the "World's Largest Swim Lesson" event.

Is there not a better way to spend the day at the pool along the banks of the White River?

Also for your splash non-pool enjoyment, take the kids to the 61st/Broadway Park "Spray Ground" at 6051 Broadway. This facility is open until Labor Day (since there are no life guards). This park features tennis courts, a volleyball court, and a spray of water for the kids in the play ground area. (Bring clothes that can get wet.) And best of all, it's free.

For more information on all 12 city pools, visit www.indyparks.org or call the Broad Ripple Pool at 327-7333. (Tell them to consider staying open weekends through mid-September like they did years ago. Given Indy's hot August weather, certainly a life guard or two would be available weekends.)

Also just north of the area is the Monon Center outdoor pool and water park. This facility is open through Labor Day and has a day rate so you don't have to be a resident to enjoy. They also have an indoor pool and weight room -- plus a large park with trails and other facilities. It is located about 5 miles north of Broad Ripple on the Monon Trail so it makes for a nice bike ride as well.