Fossil Park Youth Baseball offers a pristine playing park for the youngsters of Old Northeast. Leagues range from T-ball (four to six) to Sophmore (thirteen to fourteen), and softball in addition to baseball. The league is well run by its board, and provides a perfect locale for area youth to gather exercise and quality sport. Check its Web site for registration for next fall's teams.
The Willis S. Johns Recreation Center operates a popular teen center, which has after-school classes in karate, dance, gymnastics and other activities that appeal to young people. The center is a licensed child-care site, offering before and after-care services for kids. Fossil Park Pool is an outdoor pool located on the grounds of the rec center and it's open in the spring and summer. Kids who want to cool off during Florida's temperate winters, head to the North Shore Pool downtown.
Child's Park Pool features a large deck for sunbathing, a picnic area, a parent drop-off area and handicap access. The pool accommodations include a training pool and a 12-foot-deep area with a low diving board and a giant flume slide. It is one of nine city of St. Petersburg pools.
Also known as SPA, the St. Pete Aquatics swim club is well-regarded in Florida and nationwide for producing top-notch competitive swimmers. SPA trains swimmers year-round, and is open to children and youth, ages 5 through high school. The swim club practices at North Shore Pool, and regularly competes against other swim clubs in the region and across Florida. Swimmers are divided into groups based on age, skill and training level. Both long- and short-term results are emphasized in the training of youth swimmers. The athlete's physical, emotional and psychological development is nurtured in workouts. Head Coach Fred Lewis has coached swimmers of all levels -- Junior National, Senior National, Olympic Trial Qualifier and Olympic Team Swimmers.
Shore Acres Rec Center is hangout-central for kids in Shore Acres, Patrician Point, Snell Isle and other nearby neighborhoods. The pool closes for the season in the fall and winter, sending families to North Shore Pool downtown. But there's still plenty to do after school, including play volleyball or take fun classes, such as hula hoop or hip hop. There's before and after care for the children of working parents. There's also a teen line with info on rec center activities: 727-551-3266.
The 50-meter pool, located on the St. Petersburg waterfront, is the centerpiece of the aquatic complex. There also is a 25-yard training pool with zero-depth entry and play pool featuring flume slides, water spouts and splash pad. The outdoor pool complex is open all year, and used frequently by schools, swim clubs and individual swimmers, both young and old. Residents enjoy a menu of pool activities, from master swim classes and water aerobics to "no-tears" lessons for pre-schoolers. There is an air-conditioned multi-purpose room that has classes for landlubbers, including yoga, zumba and pilates. City tennis courts and a playground are next to the aquatic complex. Residents and non-residents pay fees for classes and pool use, with year-round swim passes available. It's best for swimmers to call ahead because pool times may vary due to scheduled swim meets and other activities.
Jennie Hall Park pool is one of the nine pools in the city of St. Petersburg. You must have a city park pass in order to use this facility. It's located in the Wildwood area.
