Devarrick TurnerKnoxville News Sentinel
Take a dip in the pool, run through a splash pad or relax in Mead’s Quarry: there are many ways to beat the heat this summer with cool water fun.
Public and community outdoor pools throughout the Knoxville area are now open for the season, with a small daily admission fee or season passes.
Splash pads are located at several parks. And although Augusta Quarry is closed until next summer, consider stopping by Mead’s, or enjoying the designated swimming areas along Clinch River and Fort Loudon Lake.
Check out these fun public water activities around Knoxville.
Outdoor Pools
Ed Cothren Pool
- The pool area includes an outdoor pool and a baby pool, two shelters, concession stand and restrooms.
- Originally named the Leslie Street Park Pool, it was renamed in 1946 to honor 1st Lieutenant Edward Cothren, Jr., the first Black soldier from Knoxville to die in World War II.
- Admission: $3 per person. Splash Passes are available for frequent visitors at $25 (10 admissions) and $45 (20 admissions).
- Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Pool will shift to weekends only Aug. 8 when students return to school.
- Location: 1737 Reynolds St. at Malcom-Martin Park in Northwest Knoxville
Inskip Pool
- The outdoor pool has two low diving boards and one high diving board. The area also includes a baby pool, sand volleyball court, playground, shelters, picnic tables, concession stand and restrooms. Aquatic programs including private rentals, swim lessons and a special event for four-legged pals are offered throughout the summer season.
- The Inskip Pool has provided safe, family water fun since the 1950s.
- Admission: $4 per person. Splash passes are $33 (10 admissions) and $60 (20 admissions). Group rates available if registered.
- Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Pool will shift to weekends only Aug. 8 when students return to school.
- Location: 4204 Bruhin Road at Inskip Park in North Knoxville
Karns Community Pool
- The Karns pool has a small water slide and a splash pad in the kids’ section. The pool has a new surface that has a fine grit to prevent slipping. Young kids might need water shoes or socks to protect their feet, the pool’s website advises.
- Picnic tables and concessions are available in the pool area. A playground and walking loop are nearby. Lounge chairs are not provided, but you can take along your own.
- Admission: $7.50 cash for adults 12+; $4 cash for ages 3-11; free for children younger than 3 with a paid adult; $6.50 cash for military and seniors age 55 and older. Cash is preferred; there is a 3% convenience fee for credit cards. Debit cards will not be accepted, the pool's site states.
- Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday
- Location: 6618 Beaver Ridge Road
Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool
- The Oak Ridge pool is family-friendly, but also features 25- and 100-meter courses, an offshore island, a large, grassy beach area, float rentals, and concession stand. Depths range from zero to 13.5 feet.
- The spring-fed city pool has also been approved to be renovated. The pool first opened in 1944 and last underwent a major renovation 1992-93.
- Admission: $4.25 for age 18 and older; $3.50 for ages 3-17; $2.50 for age 65and older and age 3 and younger. Tickets can be purchased with cash or check. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.
- Hours: Public swimming is noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Night swimming is 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
- Location: 172 Providence Road, Oak Ridge
Quarries
Mead’s Quarry
- The spring-fed Mead’s Quarry at Ijams Nature Center has a designated swimming area in addition to other lake activities such as fishing, paddling and canoeing. The swim-at-your-own-risk area has sudden drops and there are no lifeguards on duty. Jumping off cliffs, rock ledges and rock outcroppings is prohibited according to Ijams.
- Hours: 8 a.m.-dusk
- Location: 3518 Island Home Pike
Augusta Quarry (closed until summer 2024)
- Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park, one of Knoxville’s favorite swimming holes, is unfortunately closed during summer 2023 for improvements, the city announced in April. A new floating bench and swim platforms, a circular offshore floating dock and an expanded overlook on the quarry are just a few of the planned improvements. The quarry is expected to reopen by summer 2024.
- Fort Dickerson Park is not entirely closed. The park’s picnic areas and 3.5 miles of trails on the eastern side of the park will remain open while the quarry undergoes improvements.
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
- Location: 3000 Fort Dickerson Road
Melton Hill Park (3230 Williams Bend Road) has a sandy beach and swim area on the Clinch River, and the Cove at Concord Park (11808 S. Northshore Drive) has a beach area for swimming on Fort Loudon Lake.
Splash Pads
The City of Knoxville manages four splash pads for even more water fun to beat the summer heat. The water fountains are open daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m. The city splash pads typically close mid-October each season.
- Krutch Park at 504 Market St. has two water play fountains in the park extension near Gay Street.
- Market Square has a water play fountain at 18 Market Square
- Volunteer Landing Park has a water play fountain at 300 Neyland Drive
- World’s Fair Park has a water play fountain at 1060 World's Fair Park Drive
Knox County manages three splash pads. The free water playgrounds are open to the public 10 a.m.-8 p.m. every day, weather permitting. The renovated splash pad in Carl Cowan Park opened July 20 following delays due to the upgrades. The season ends Sept. 10.
- New Harvest Park (4775 New Harvest Lane)
- Powell Station Park (2318 W. Emory Road)
- The Carl Cowan Park splash pad (10058 S. Northshore Drive)
Other splash pads in the area are one at McFee Park in Farragut (917 McFee Road) and the 5,000-square-foot Clayton Safari Splash Pad at the Knoxville Zoo (3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive), which includes life-sized giraffes that spout water and water hoops and loops.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Emaildevarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter@dturner1208.
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