Memorial Day weekend marks the traditional start of the summer season for the Bethany Parks and Recreation Department.
The Bethany Aquatic Center was filled with swimmers for the pool opening over the holiday weekend. The crowds grew on Sunday and Monday when the weather began to heat up. The picnic tables at Memorial Park were filled with families over the long weekend.
Michelle Thomas, director of the parks department, said preparations for the opening of the pool were relatively trouble-free. Only a few touchups were required to get ready for the pool’s opening at noon on Saturday.
The pool will be open from noon to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursdays and until 8 p.m. on Fridays. The pool hours on Saturday and Sunday are from 1 to 7 p.m.
Jennifer Doolittle will again be the manager of the aquatic center. The parks department has hired a total of 19 lifeguards to supervise the pool during the summer. Swimming lessons will be held from July 11-15, Thomas said.
The parks department hopes to return the popular merry-go-round to Memorial Park within the next few days after completion of repairs. The ride was taken out of service last year because of safety concerns.
The merry-go-round has been featured at the park since the early part of the last century. The parks department consulted old records of the manufacturer to make repairs and to replace the seats. The auto body shop at the Pettijohn Auto Center has been repainting the ride with a bright yellow color.