MOORE'S PARK POOL

This public pool was built in 1922 and, with a few renovations, is still in service today. An interesting tidbit: Dad and I both went here when we were kids - wonder if we were ever there at the same time (late 1940s, early 1950s)! Back then there was a 12' tall high-dive at the far end - with one-meter diving boards off to each side - and the pool was at least 12' deep at that end. Dad was a good diver and actually dove off the high-dive, while I 'dared' to jump off the high-dive a couple times! Today the ladder and diving boards are gone, and we noticed some taller kids were actually able to stand up in the 'deep end', with their heads & shoulders out of the water, so it's obviously been made quite a bit shallower. We recalled how you had to swim the width of the pool by the half-way dividing rope to prove to the lifeguards that you were able to go into the deep end. We had to chuckle seeing that rule is still in effect today as the kids had to show their skill before they could go past the rope.

Dad actually lived only 2-3 blocks from Moore's Park so he swam at the pool nearly every day during the summers when he was a kid. Back then it cost a dime to get in - and you got it back when you left! He recalls the 'dime dish' at home where the three kids each kept their dime. If the temptation of the ice cream cart got the best of you after a swim, then your dime would have been spent and you couldn't go to the pool anymore (until you had a chance to earn another dime). 'Back in the day' there would be quite a line waiting for the pool to open. Today there were only a few when it first opened, but probably more came as the afternoon went on. Of course, back then nobody had air conditioning as so many do today, and there are so many other things available to do.

Since we arrived well before the pool opened, we had a nice stroll around the park. For Dad it was fun to reminisce about how things 'used to be'. He recalled where the football field was, and pointed out their best sledding hill and softball diamond, etc. Everything changes, but it's nice to see this park has kept pace with the times and still provides a great place for families in that area.