Philadelphia neighbors angry as neighborhood pool closed amid summer heat

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- As another heat wave grips the region, North Philadelphia neighbors are frustrated that their pool is closed again this summer.

The small group protested outside the 12th and Cambria Recreation Center, blocking off streets and briefly clashed with drivers on Monday.

"Our kids haven't swam for six years! Why can't our kids swim?" said a visibly upset Arlene Wilson of Fairhill immediately after a woman threw an orange cone to the side and zoomed around the small group in her white Mercedes.

Neighbors say this isn't just about opening the pool to stay cool in the summer heat, but it's also about the impact on neighborhood children.

"We're trying to keep the violence down," said Sabu Wooten, 12th and Cambria Advisory Board member.

The pool is among nine city pools closed this season for ongoing repairs. Neighbors say they were told it would be opened this month.

"This pool hasn't been open for over six years, and they promised that they would start work and have it open this July. It's July 28, so what July were they talking about?" said one resident.

In response to neighbors' concerns, a spokeswoman for the city's Department of Parks and Recreation issued the following statement to Action News:

"While City Council allocated funding for repairs at 12th & Cambria Pool, the recent DC33 labor work stoppage delayed construction, and the timeline for reopening could not be met," said Communications Director Ra'Chelle Rogers.

For now, residents are encouraged to visit their nearest open facility. Rogers highlighted a few facilities within or just over a mile away.

"Why do our children still have to go all the way to Hunting Park to go swimming when we got a swimming pool right here?" a resident asked.

On Monday, State Rep. Amen Brown and members of his staff handed out bottled water to residents in West Philadelphia along Market Street.

On Tuesday, he'll be distributing bathing suits to the community at 700 N. 39th Street at 2 p.m.

"That's just another way for children to beat the heat. Me and my team, we step up and provide the proper swimwear so they can gain access to our public spaces," Brown said.

North Philadelphia neighbors are showing they're willing to do whatever it takes to send a message and for kids to be able to do just that.

"We're just not having it anymore. We waited so many years for this pool to be open, so many broken promises," Wilson said.

The city's departments of Parks and Recreation also said it understands the community's concerns and they're working to resume repairs as quickly as possible.

Organizers of the protest said they had authorization to close the road at 12th and Cambria. However, Philadelphia police indicated the Civil Affairs Unit was not made aware of any demonstration at 12th and Cambria on Monday. They also said the 25th district, which covers that area, had no prior knowledge of the event.