LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Four public outdoor pools are set to make a splash in Louisville this May, but the city still needs lifeguards to keep everyone safe.

Camp Taylor will have a public pool for the first time since 2019. The work was supposed to be completed last summer, but construction delays pushed it back a year.

Louisville needs 45 lifeguards to work the city's pools in the Algonquin, Sun Valley, Fairdale and Camp Taylor neighborhoods. Louisville Parks and Recreation is training staff at the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center.

"It's a real treasure to this community to have that," swimmer Holly Gregor said. 

Gregor visits the aquatic center several days each week, a tradition she has kept for 15 years. 

"It's a big part of my life," she said. "I love it here."

Gregor knows not everyone can drive to the center, so she's thrilled Louisville's outdoor pools are opening in a few weeks.

"Everybody needs to have access," she said. "I don't care where you live."

On top of splash pads and spray grounds sprinkled throughout the city, Algonquin, Sun Valley, Fairdale and Camp Taylor will have public pool access until August.

This summer, there's a grand reopening for Camp Taylor's pool. Ben Johnson, Assistant Director of Recreation, calls it a "waterpark."

"There's slides," Johnson said. "There are dump buckets, and one of the most important and exciting things for me is the zero entry. That's when you can just walk into the pool. You don't have to jump in or dive."

"That's awesome," Gregor said. "Those kids will remember that their entire lives."

It's similar to Algonquin's "waterpark," which opened last year. This grand reopening brings a greater demand for lifeguards.

Administrator Keith Smith oversees lifeguard training. He said Louisville plans to hire up to 45 total lifeguards. 

"Sixteen in Algonquin," Smith said. "Fourteen for Camp Taylor, eight at Fairdale's pool, and six or seven for Sun Valley."

Smith said there are still open spots at every pool except Sun Valley's. However, unlike a few summers ago, the city isn't seeing a shortage. In fact, Smith said he has already trained more than half of this year's staff.

"We'll have a safe summer," Smith said. "It's gonna be fun."

Training classes are $200. However, it's free if you commit to working as a lifeguard for Louisville Parks and Recreation for the summer.

Louisville's public pools cost $2 daily for children 12 years and under. Everyone else will pay $3. There currently are not season passes available.

For more information on Louisville Parks and Recreation’s pools, splash pads and spray grounds, click here.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.