Dallas City Pools At Risk Of Closure As Parks Department Faces $3 Million Budget Cuts
In the upcoming fiscal year 2026, Dallas City is set to propose a budget of $5.2 billion, with an emphasis on public safety but including cuts to various departments such as libraries, the Office of Arts and Culture, and the Parks and Recreation Department.
One of the departments facing a significant cut is the Parks and Recreation Department, which is looking at a $3 million reduction. As a result, discussions have arisen regarding the potential closure of nine city pools.
Rudy Karimi, District 14 Park Board member, has stated that three city pools could be closed: Glendale, Grauwyler, and Walnut Hill. These pools, built in the 1940s and 1950s, have seen a decrease in attendance since last year, according to Karimi.
Despite the 2015 master plan suggesting their closure, the Dallas Park and Recreation Board has kept the remaining pools open. However, the plan to close the remaining six pools is now being discussed, with a potential closure of one pool per year. In the long run, the department suggests all nine city pools could be shut down.
The decision to close the three pools is ultimately up to the Dallas City Council, and council members have until the end of the month to finalize the budget for fiscal year 2026.
It's worth noting that Dallas still has nine aquatic centers and 17 spray grounds, which would remain accessible even if all nine pools were to close.
In a positive note, the Glendale pool may be replaced with a new aquatic center, funded by a bond program. The future of Grauwyler and Walnut Hill remains uncertain at this time.
This news comes as Dallas continues to grow and evolve, and it will be interesting to see how the city council decides to allocate its resources in the coming years.
