‘A favorite gathering spot’: A.D. Barnes Park pool is open again
.JPG "Emmalyn Wadsworth, 8, reaches the end of the pool and finishes her swim test at the reopening of the A.D. Barnes Pool on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 in Miami, Fla.")
Miami-Dade County’s A.D. Barnes Pool, at 3401 SW 72nd Ave., reopened Thursday after being closed nearly two years for its 40-year recertification and $250,000 in renovations.
A.D. Barnes’ shady park and pool are a popular respite for those grappling with the heat in District 6, which includes portions of Miami, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Miami Springs, Virginia Gardens, West Miami, and some unincorporated areas. Closed since October 2021, the facility had electrical and tile upgrades and its pool liner resurfaced with fresh quartz and cement.
“This pool is a favorite gathering spot for the community,” said Jimmy Morales, the county’s chief operations officer who spoke on behalf of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava.
Reopening the 25-yard competition pool was one of Miami-Dade County District 6 Commissioner Kevin Cabrera’s priorities since taking office in November, he said. The pool opened in 1977 and sits in a 65-acre park named after the county’s first parks’ director, A.D. Barnes
Before the ribbon-cutting, Cabrera announced that his office is funding a $3,000 aquatic fitness program that will allow 125 seniors to take eight aquatic classes at the pool.
“We want to make sure our seniors are doing all these sorts of activities so they can stay in good physical shape,” Cabrera said.
Among those who’ll use the pool for swimming lessons and other activities are persons with physical and intellectual disabilities.
“It’s the only facility in Miami-Dade County for adults 18 and older with disabilities, and they can do any sort of aquatic activities,” Cabrera said. “That’s important for our community to make sure we are prioritizing those folks.”
Morales also remarked that the pool is the hub of Miami-Dade County park’s nationally recognized “Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion” program for children with developmental disabilities.
The pool is open for public swim Monday-Saturday 1-4 p.m., although those hours are expected to change in the weeks ahead. Pool access costs $2 for people age 62 or older and $3 for all others.
For info, visit: https://www.miamidade.gov/parks/ad-barnes.asp
Theo Karantsalis can be reached at karantsalis@bellsouth.net.
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This story was originally published August 11, 2023 at 12:26 PM.