America Stopped Building Pools

America Stopped Building Public Pools?. Gerome Sutton growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, couldn’t wait for weekends to hit Algonquin Park pool. It was like summer Christmas every time, just pure joy.

The Desegregation Scene

Louisville’s public parks got desegregated in 1955, a year before Sutton came into the world. That meant everyone could jump into the new Algonquin outdoor pool on the West Side. Huge deal back then.

Money Matters

But here’s the kicker: It cost 35 cents to splash around at Algonquin back then. Sutton and his seven siblings had to take turns ’cause the fam couldn’t afford sending all eight kids at once. Tough times, but swimming was totally worth it. – koin303

Where Did They Go?

Fast forward to now, and it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Louisville used to have 10 public pools back in the early 2000s, but now they’re down to just five for a bigger population. Not cool, especially with the heat cranking up ’cause of climate change.

Algonquin’s Saga

Algonquin, the last pool standing in West Louisville, is in a sorry state. Closed for repairs this summer, leaving around 60,000 folks without an easy spot to cool off. And most of ’em are Black or from middle-to-low-income families.

More Than Just a Swim

It’s not just about the pool – it’s about mental health, community, and staying active. Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins knows the deal. She’s bummed that kids won’t get to learn to swim or have a place to chill during those hot summer months.

In a Nutshell

Public pools used to be a big deal in American culture, but now they’re fading away. It sucks for folks who can’t afford fancy memberships or don’t have a pool in their backyard. And it’s more than just cooling off – it’s about staying connected and healthy, inside and out.