Let's Get Splashy

7 unique ways to cool off in Dallas-Fort Worth this summer

A pool is just the beginning.

Lee Harvey's Dive In Swim Club/Facebook

The heat advisories are coming in hot and Dallas-Fort Worth is bracing for another scorching summer. Obviously, it's time to jump in a pool.

If you're already a swimmer, you know that each city in the DFW area has its own community pools, operated by their respective Park and Recreation Departments, which charge a nominal fee and offer resident discounts. Some are even classified as Aquatic Centers and boast impressive slides, splash pads, lazy rivers, and other bells and whistles.

But if you're seeking a way to fit in some refreshing exercise or soothe your wellbeing, we've got you covered. Here are a few unique suggestions:

WorldSprings, Grandscape at The Colony
Billed as an "outdoor social-wellness destination," this spa-amusement park combo is the country's largest hot springs pool complex. It boasts 45 outdoor soaking pools inspired by the most famous hot springs from around the world. Take a dip in cold-plunge pools, Finnish saunas, and even a Dead Sea-inspired pool, with aquatic classes and adults-only and all-ages sections to boot. It opened at the end of June.

Panther Island Pavilion, Fort Worth
This entertainment venue is the only waterfront stage in Texas, meaning you can rock out and keep cool while floating with friends. During the day, you can also rent a kayak or paddle board to head out on the Trinity River, or enjoy the public beach.

Lee Harvey's Dive In Swim Club, Dallas
Across the street from beloved dive bar Lee Harvey’s, in the historic Cedars neighborhood, is the new pool in town. The retro-tastic spot features a 60-by-30-foot pool, lawn area, cabanas, sun loungers with umbrellas, and its very own full bar. Score a day pass or sign up for a seasonal membership. Kids are welcome, with adult supervision, until 5 pm.

King Spa and Spa Castle Texas, Carrollton
These Korean-inspired spas offer everything from healing hot and cold sauna rooms to massages to movie theaters, as well as food and drink to fuel an hours-long stay. Change into your swimsuit before heading to the waterpark areas, where hydrotherapy is, ahem, king.

Fort Worth Boat Club, Fort Worth
With a state-of-the-art clubhouse and plenty of slips and launches, this venerated club encourages both leisurely sailing and competitive racing. Located on Eagle Mountain Lake, the members-only club also includes a spiffy pool and plenty of classes and activities. Of course, you can always just relax and enjoy the waterfront, too.

North Texas Jellystone Park, Burleson
This camping facility is part of the Warner Brothers Yogi Bear's national chain and the Burleson location was recently selected once again as one of the top campgrounds in the U.S. by USA Today. They just debuted two new pools, one indoor and one outdoor. The indoor pool is 40-by-70 feet, but the outdoor pool is a behemoth: 100-by-200 feet, nearly twice the size of an Olympic-size pool. It's a "zero-entry" pool, meaning it has a sloping entrance, and is 3.5 feet deep, with a swim-up smoothie bar.

Goodsurf, Dallas
Who says you can't surf in landlocked Dallas? Just show up to this indoor pool/pickleball facility and they provide the wetsuit, rash guard, and fully stocked locker room. Each 30-minute session is limited to only seven surfers, and the skill levels range from complete newbie (with the aid of a balance bar) to surfing pro. If anyone prefers to remain dry, there is also pickleball, shuffleboard, yard games, and food and drink to explore.

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Weed News

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Dallas over decriminalization of marijuana

Photo courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife

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The City of Dallas has been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for its efforts to decriminalize marijuana.

According to a release, Paxton has sued the city for adopting a city charter amendment that would decriminalize marijuana-related offenses and prohibit police from enforcing Texas law.

That amendment was Proposition R, or Dallas Freedom Act, which decriminalizes possession of four ounces of marijuana or less. Voters passed the amendment in the November 5 election, with 67 percent voting in favor.

The lawsuit, filed against the Dallas City Council, alleges that Proposition R is unconstitutional and violates Texas drug laws criminalizing any amount of marijuana.

Paxton says that cities can't "pick and choose which state laws to follow." He's proposing a permanent injunction to stop Proposition R from going into effect.

"The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them," says Paxton in a statement. "This is a backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution, and any city that tries to constrain police in this fashion will be met swiftly with a lawsuit by my office.”

Before the recent election, possession of two to four ounces of marijuana could result in a punishment of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Ground Game Texas, the activist nonprofit that has also helped get marijuana decriminalization on the ballot in elections across Texas, first got the issue on the ballot in July with the necessary 50,000 signatures.

Dallas is not the only city to be sued; Paxton also filed lawsuits against five other cities in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos in January for their ballots and policies decriminalizing marijuana.

Both Austin and San Marcos had a judge overturn their cases, according to a FOX 4 report.

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