Every time I look at this picture I am reminded that some of the most important places in my childhood no longer exist. Wildwood Pool was a private recreation club which we joined every summer. I spent hours swimming in it with my sisters and friends (or even by myself since I had no trouble entertaining myself!). If we weren't swimming and making up games in the water, we could play shuffleboard, ping pong, card games or try to touch the sky on the swings. We spent most of the time in the water but at 2pm every day the lifeguards would blow their whistles and call all the children out of the pool. It was "Adult Swim" time and once we were out we made a bee-line to the snack stand to buy candy or ice cream treats to soften the disappointment of not being allowed to swim.
On the weekdays my mother would enjoy sitting on a chaise lounge chair by the shallow end because there was a tree next to that area that kept everyone cool. She'd either read a book or enjoy chatting with her friends. She didn't have to worry about us because 4 lifeguards were stationed all around the pool and they never took their eyes off of us! On the week ends though, Dad would join us and he'd jump in the water and play with us as long as we'd like. One of the best games involved him placing us on his shoulders and then sort of flipping us off into a dive landing with a splash in the water. He'd probably be arrested for child endangerment doing that today!
Sometime in the early 1980's Wildwood Pool and its property was sold, the trees cut down and the land plowed over to make room for condos and townhouses. It was so sad to drive past what used to be the entrance and not see the magical driveway that disappeared into the trees down a very steep hill. But I guess there is some truth in the saying, "You can't stop progress". Someone decided that membership was down enough that it was time to make money off the land. Thankfully, you can't stop good memories. They last forever.
@digitalrn Thanks Rick! Yes, things change, don't they? @dibzgreasley Thanks Debs- yes it was a great place to play. @kerristephens Thanks Kerri! @prttblues Thanks Bev! @wordsmith Thanks Teresa! I think my mother took this shot.
@dibzgreasley Thanks Debs- yes it was a great place to play.
@kerristephens Thanks Kerri!
@prttblues Thanks Bev!
@wordsmith Thanks Teresa! I think my mother took this shot.