Pool Hopping with Marty!: Introducing a Unique Idea for the Summer...Pool Hopping!

A few weeks ago I decided to relive a childhood dream. I wanted to see who would like to join me in trying to take a dip in ALL the public pools we have at our disposal in the Syracuse area. It's going to be a hot summer and who can think of a better way to spend it?!

Since today I lucked out and worked a half day, I texted my good friend Mary (who is always up for anything...that is what I LOVE about her!). She agreed to join me on short notice. Since I live in North Syracuse, I decided to start with Kennedy Park located at 114 Grove Street. Here is what I think:

Pros:

Cute little park and pool.
Not crowded at all (at least not on the 4th of July).
Staff is very friendly and laid back
I get in for FREE since I live in North Syracuse.
Non-residents only pay $3 to get it.

Cons:

Asphalt all around the pool to walk on barefoot. It sure gets really hot!
Really small pool which I guess is OK if there are not to many people swimming
Just outside the pool (around the edge) there was a metal "frame" that was really hot. You dared not sit or put you feet on it because it was extremely hot.
Lack of shade or places to escape from the sun.

The next pool we decided to check out is in the Town of Salina. It was just outside the village of Liverpool. It was Duerr Pool located at the park by the same name. Upon arriving I noticed that this park was significantly bigger than the North Syracuse Park. It has a softball field to the side and it was also more crowded.

Pros:

Bigger pool
Friendly staff (one of them let me borrow his goggles since my wedding band slipped off my finger and I needed to find it on the bottom of the pool).
Cement to walk on (instead of super hot black asphalt!)
A few spots that had shade provided by the trees
More benches to sit on than the previous park
Pool had a nice curve on the floor around the perimeter when you got into the water. You can hang by the edge of the pool and just chill out.

Cons:

Upon entering and paying we proceeded to go to a spot where we attempted to put down our belongings. A life guard came over and instructed us that we could only put out stuff in one designated spot near the front of the entrance to the pool. This included our shoes, wallets, cellphones and even towels. We were not allowed to leave them near us..a strange request. Especially when I noticed a few other people had their belongings with them..hmm!?
Having to pay is a bummer. It was only $2 but it will add up with this whole pool hopping experience.
There was a couple of stoner teens just outside the fence partaking in illegal activities..if you get my drift. They were smoking WEED! In plain sight! With kids and parents in the pool. I guess that's OK!?
The lifeguards kept instructing the kids to not do things which the kids would sometimes follow and sometimes not. It was just annoying. I know they were doing their jobs but it was annoying.

The third and final park we decided to check out was Richfield in the park by the same name in Mattydale. Same theme as the previous one since it is in the Town of Salina again.

Pros:

Big pool
We did not have to pay since Mary brought a 20 and they did not have change!
Cement to walk on barefoot
One shady spot

Cons:

The staff was just as bad, if not worse when it came to "instructing" kids not to do things. This one lifeguard kept telling a kid not to touch the rope that divides the deep section from the shallow section. The kid would not touch it for a few seconds and then resume.
No curve around the bottom of the edge of the pool
A bit more crowded that the other one
Had to leave our belonging by the front entrance again (must be a Salina thing..)
Only one shady spot