Visitors faced hot temperatures and long lines to cool off in Austin’s gem.
AUSTIN, Texas — After a delayed start to the spring season, Barton Springs Pool has reopened — and just in time for soaring temperatures in Central Texas.
The popular swimming spot reopened to the public this week following maintenance and construction that kept visitors away during much of spring break. On reopening day, hundreds of Austinites lined up, eager to cool off as record heat swept through the area.
“We came prepared with our jugs of water, no sugary drinks, and our sunblock and towels — and took a dip, and it felt so nice,” said Austin resident Tori Schulze. “The water is so cold.”
Construction delays pushed reopening
Typically, the pool undergoes its annual spring cleaning in time for Austin Independent School District’s spring break. But this year, additional construction work forced a delay.
According to Austin Parks and Recreation Department Aquatic Program Manager Aaron Levine, crews removed about 100 feet of old concrete infrastructure from the pool.
“We had old infrastructure that needed to come out,” Levine said. “We were being proactive — trying to remove it before it caused any issues.”
Levine added that while the structure hadn’t yet caused major problems, the work was necessary to ensure long-term safety.
Long lines and packed parking lots
With the pool finally reopened, visitors braved the heat — and large crowds — to get inside. Lines stretched long, and parking proved difficult at times.
Still, many said the experience was worth it.
“It’s so cold,” said visitors Laila Flores and Laryn Peña. “When you get in the water, you can’t breathe for a second because it’s so cold, but it’s really nice.”
Others took to the diving board, watching more experienced swimmers perform flips and dives before jumping in themselves.
“You see people doing triple backflips and stuff, and I don’t even know how to do that — I’m just going to jump in,” Flores said.
A historic pool with ongoing upkeep
Often referred to as one of Austin’s gems, Barton Springs Pool continues to show its age. City officials say ongoing maintenance projects will remain a priority to preserve the site for future visitors.
For those planning a visit, Austin Parks and Recreation recommends purchasing tickets ahead of time through the “ATXSwims” mobile app to save time at the entrance.
The department is also hiring lifeguards, offering $22.05 per hour along with free training. Applicants can learn more and apply online through the city’s lifeguard recruitment website here.