Staying Cool at the Pool (in Spite of the Rules)

One of my favorite things about summer in Milton is the Cunningham Pool. A breezy oasis in the middle of town, the pool is an instant antidote to the ancient song of summer, plaintively sung by the children of Milton down through the generations: "Moooooom, I'm bored!"

An excursion to the pool requires some preparation. Bathing suits, towels, sunblock and the all-important pool tags are the essentials. A blanket to spread on the grass is nice, as is a lawn chair, when I remember one. For those who aren't bothered by pool regulations, snacks can be smuggled in with the towels in the beach bag. And, if I am to stay awake and actually watch my children frolic in the water, an iced coffee is mandatory, rules or no rules.

Those who are there when the gate opens have the privilege of parking in the lot. The rest of us circle the lot a few times and then finally give up and park on Edge Hill Road. The upside of street parking is that the kids are good and hot from the walk in the blazing sun by the time we arrive at the pool.

We flash our tags – does anyone actually wear them on their bathing suits? – and we're in. We stake our claim in a shady spot and the kids make a beeline for the water. I set up my chair on the pool's apron and settle in for a relaxing afternoon.

The pool has everything I love about the beach, and none of the stuff I don't. Refreshing water and cool breezes abound, and it doesn't require an hour's drive in traffic, only to pay exorbitant fees for the privilege of parking three miles away. There's no sand to stick to children or infiltrate the snacks (ahem.) No seaweed, rip currents or rocks to hurt tender toes. It's just about perfect.

It's always a bummer, though, that the pool closes in mid-August for the season. With so much summer left, it's a shame that the kids can't have a last hurrah before school starts. Usually by that time, though, the ocean waters have warmed from hypothermic to merely bone-chilling, and I grudgingly go along with my family on a trip or two to the beach. These tastes of the seashore invariably remind me why I love the pool so much.

So if you're at the pool and see a somewhat rounded, pale woman sitting in a lawn chair in the shade, holding a travel mug, stop by and say hello. I'll be there until August 22, or until they pry the iced coffee out of my clutching hand, whichever comes first.

Check out Cunningham Pool hours, programs and fees at www.cunninghampark.org.