The place to swim in L.A.: Hansen Dam pool reopens for summer season

There’s nothing like taking a cool dip after a scorching day, particularly in L.A. summer season climate. As peak swimming season kicks off, the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center pool in Lake View Terrace reopened Memorial Day on weekends after being closed for the season. It can be open every day for swim and play beginning Saturday.

The common San Fernando Valley aquatic heart spans 40 acres that embody a large 1.5-acre pool lined with sand like a seashore. There’s additionally a nine-acre lake used for fishing and nonmotorized boat actions.

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1. Jaylia Martinez, 5, left, is splashed with water by Elijah Santillana, 6. 2. The height chart for the water slide at the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center. 3. Visitors enjoy the pool at the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

“As one of the largest pools in the U.S., capacity [being] 3,500, we get so many individuals from everywhere in the metropolis, everywhere in the county, individuals coming from out of state to this place,” Edwin Realegeno, aquatic facility supervisor of the middle, mentioned.

The Hansen Dam Aquatic Center pool was constructed in 1999 in a $15-million mission to switch a earlier pool within the space that was crammed with silt.

Along the pool’s sandy shores, people can use the volleyball courts and teqball desk. There are additionally completely different ranges of shallow water for younger swimmers and toddlers.

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Paty Santillana, a Van Nuys resident, has visited the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center for the final 15 years. “It’s perfect for little kids. I have a 5-year-old and also a 21-year-old, who we used to come here with,” Santillana mentioned. She provides that her grandchildren are ecstatic each time she mentions a go to to the pool.

Idalia Fraga, a 12-year-old swimmer who has been to the pool twice since its reopening on Memorial Day weekend, mentioned she enjoys the pool for its affordability.

“Prices are very cheap … it really helps those families who struggle,” Fraga mentioned.

After some renovations to its massive water slide that can be reopening Saturday, the pool is open to swimmers for an admission charge of $4 for adults and youngsters 17 and beneath for $1. The heart takes money solely.

The leisure lake is open year-round and is restocked with fish from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Christopher Lopez relaxes by frequently fishing on the Hansen Dam Recreation Lake on the weekends.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

Along the lake, individuals get pleasure from strolling the encircling grassy pathway and fishing. Christopher Lopez, a Pacoima resident, who additionally goes by the nickname Squid, goes to the lake for the latter.

Lopez began fishing almost two months in the past along with his longtime good friend from elementary college. “[It’s about] getting out of the house and having something to do on the weekends and being able to enjoy the day,” he mentioned. “Spending our time out here I think is just a great addition.”

For Lopez, catching bass or trout and having fun with the occasional breeze is an ideal day to soak up the great thing about nature.

Lifeguards Israel Orozco, left, and Ian Zabel, proper, watch the pool as guests cool off on the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

The leisure heart is internet hosting fundraising 1K and 5K runs on Sunday adopted by a celebration with free entry to the pool. Realegeno mentioned the fundraiser is to assist fund public pool facilities throughout L.A. County and to advertise swimming security classes.

Visit the recreation center’s website or Instagram page for extra data in addition to updates on pool or slide closures. Hours fluctuate.