Recent rains have brought relief to those looking to beat the heat on the Eastside.
In a landmark cooperation between the City of San Antonio Transportation and Capital Improvements Department and the parks and recreation department, yet another new amenity has come to the citizens of Dignowity Hill: a public pool.
“It’s free and open to the public anytime the roadway is clear,” said an unnamed official.
The pool opened in April, with the start of the heavy rains. Residents were disappointed when the pool dried up in late July, as temperatures climbed and rains eased. However a recent downpour brought glad tidings: the Dignowity Public Pool is back, and residents are taking full advantage of this seasonal amenity.
City officials call it a “rain-fed” pool, and assure locals that its maintenance remains high on their priority list.
“This pool is here to stay. I mean, at least until it evaporates…which is bound to happen…at some point. Right?” said a spokesperson for joint commission.
This is good news for crowd sunbathing along the soft shoulder of Lamar St. as they shaded their eyes to watch the yoga class above them on the Hays St. Bridge.
“I mean, Dignowity Hill just gets everything these days, with all that Eastpoint stuff,” said one sunbather, who preferred to remain nameless, but admitted that she’s been visiting the pool daily, driving from her home in King William.
“I just wish the city paid half as much attention to us over in Southtown. Oh well, I don’t mind crossing the tracks for amenities!” she said.
The pool is a testimony to what a mobilized community can do when they engage their local government.
“We kept asking them what they were going to do about this massive unusable pool. This good water was going to waste. They just told us to keep calling 3-1-1,” said a local resident, “So I did! And look at us now!”
The resident then cannonballed off the top of a parked car into the “deep end,” formerly an insidious pot hole masked by the standing water.
Not everyone is happy about the pool. A group of protestors gathered in the swampy marsh just north of the pool, carrying signs that were mostly being used to swat at mosquitos. They spoke against recent changes in the area.
“It’s shameful that it took years of gentrification to get amenities like this,” said a community organizer protesting the pool.
While we were talking with the gathered crowd, an 18-wheeler on its way to one of the warehouses along Cherry Street passed through the south end of the pool.
“Woo! Wavepool!” shouted a 12-year-old boy, jumping on his boogie board and riding the wake.
A nearby mother wiped the spray of decomposed asphalt off of her toddler’s face.
“It’s just so nice to be able to get outside and enjoy this weather. I mean where else in town can my son see so many different species of mosquitos? Plus, we’re learning about the body’s natural ways of fighting infections. It’s a win win for our family,” said the woman.
After a train passed, a young professional riding her bike from downtown crossed the tracks only to pause at the edge of the pool on her way to hear live music at Alamo Brewery.
“I mean, I was going to have an evening with my friends on the patio at the brewery, but since I can’t get past the pool without a car, I may as well join the real fun!”
The young professional promptly kicked off her shoes and swan dived into the pool, laughing and wiping silt out of her eyes as she resurfaced.
Asked if they were concerned about the train tracks near the pool’s shallow end, city officials again seemed confident.
“Oh, these trains predate human civilization. We’ve evolved to work around them, which is only right, as they were here first,” said the official.
A delegation has been sent to New York City to observe that the High Line Park, in hopes that San Antonio can do the same with their Union Pacific rails, with the added perk of active rail traffic running through the linear park.
“I just think it’s more authentic and exciting that way,” said the head of delegation.
Whatever may come of the rail project, it’s sure to only enhance the Eastside’s summer fun.
Featured/Top Image: A Dignowity Hill father and his young daughter spend their summer vacation enjoying the city’s public pool in Dignowity Hill. Photo by Scott Ball.
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Where I Live: Cherry Street Modern in Dignowity Hill
Immigrating to Dignowity Hill: Empty Lots, Fixer-Uppers, and The Perfect Fit
The G-card: Defining Gentrification in Dignowity Hill
San Antonio in Motion: Dignowity Hill Pushcart Derby Brings Families, Neighborhood Together
