Swim Free

For some of us, the days of running through sprinklers as a way to beat the summer heat are long gone. But you can still take a break from the air conditioning in your home or office and jump into a neighborhood pool. Kansas City Parks and Recreation offers free swim times at a number of area pools. Wade in the water 1-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Brush Creek Community Center Pool (3801 Brush Creek Boulevard), at the same times at Budd Park Pool (Budd Park Esplanade and Denver Avenue), or try the Gillham Park Pool (41st Street and Gillham) 1-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday or the Swope Park Pool (67th Street and Lewis Road) 1-7 p.m. Wednesday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Other neighborhood parks — including Loose, Longview, Sunnyside and Harmony — offer spraygrounds 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. And admission is always free. For more information on times of operation, see kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/ParksandRecreation/SwimmingPools/index.htm.;— Anthonia Akitunde

Saturdays, Sundays, 1-5 p.m.; Mondays-Thursdays, 1-7 p.m.; Fridays, 1-8 p.m. Starts: May 29. Continues through Sept. 6, 2010