WHITE ROCK CAR BATH

Half a century ago, when he was just nineteen, John Rowlett started working at White Rock Car Bath on Garland Road. In those days, the only way to get a car through a wash line was to manually pull the car by chains connected to the bumper. Now 69, Rowlett still works at White Rock Car Bath and has witnessed the evolution of both the car and the car wash first-hand. Sixty years ago a car wash was just two men with troughs full of water and soap, scrubbing dirt and grime from tires with hand mitts, Rowlett says. Now the machines do it, and Rowlett says he loves “the modernization” that has happened over the years. From the first high-pressure washers, to their first steam guns, Rowlett has seen and done it all. From detailing and hand drying, to vacuuming floor boards, Rowlett has loved his job and has turned down many other job offers over the years. Melvin Brosz, owner and manager of White Rock Car Bath, is more of a “friend” and “father” to Rowlett than an administrative figure. What keeps him going? Rowlett says the friendship and opportunities Brosz and his family have presented him with over the years are more than he could have asked for.

—RACHEL RICE

When the kinked-up garden hose and blue-plastic kiddie pool from the discount store fail this summer, go to the pool. Our neighborhood has several options for dipping one’s toes in the water, from public pools and spray parks to private clubs and restaurants. You can always make friends with someone who has a backyard pool, or start digging one out in the backyard, but these cool neighborhood spots have the potential to make a splash in your summer schedule.

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Tietze Park in Lakewood is one of the cheapest, most accessible places to go swimming in our neighborhood. Plus, it is one of eight city parks that has free WiFi.

PHOTOS BY BENJAMIN HAGER

Tietze Park

6115 Llano at Skillman, 214.670.1380

HOURS: 1 p.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Monday

COST: $2 for adults and $1 for kids 11 and younger

TAKE A DIP: Swimming lessons are available for kids of all ages.

Ridgewood Recreation Center

6818 Fisher at Trammel, 214.670.7115

HOURS: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Sept. 5

COST: free

TAKE A DIP: This is a spray park, not a pool. But it’s a nice place for kids to cool off, and there’s no rule against grown-ups enjoying the park, too.

White Rock YMCA

7301 Gaston near Garland, 214.328.3849, whiterockymca.org

HOURS: 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

COST: Memberships range from $49 a month for an individual to $70 for a family, and discounted memberships are available for seniors and teens.

TAKE A DIP: The Y has a big, sunny outdoor pool, but memberships also include use of the gym and free group fitness classes.

Knights of Columbus

10110 Shoreview near Ferndale, 214.343.9061, kayceeclub.org

HOURS: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. MondayThursday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday

COST: Priceless. We once witnessed a KC pool membership go for $12,000 at a live auction.

TAKE A DIP: There is a three- or four-year wait to get a membership at the KC pool. If you don’t have a membership, make friends with someone who does. Members are allowed to bring up to six guests who can pay $5 to swim.

Backyard Beach Bar

7530 E. Grand at Garland, 214.327.3866, bakcyardbeachbar.com

HOURS: 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday-Sunday; closed Monday

COST: $5 for swimming and volleyball

TAKE A DIP: Leave the kids at home. This is a bar. Expect girls taking shots in teeny bikinis and serious ballers doing battle on the three sand courts.

J. Pepe’s

3619 Greenville at Martel, 214.821.6431, jpepesgreenville.com

HOURS: 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. daily

COST: free for customers

TAKE A DIP: J. Pepe’s is a Tex-Mex restaurant, so it’s slightly kid-friendly at certain times. Try going early on weekdays. At night and on the weekends, expect DJs, pool volleyball and a party-time atmosphere.

Fraternal Order of Eagles

8500 Arturo near Lakeland, 214.327.9563, 3108.foe.com

HOURS: noon-midnight Monday-Friday and Sunday; noon-1 a.m. Saturday

COST: $7

TAKE A DIP: Call it “the foe”, the eagle pool, the redneck country club. The Fraternal Order of Eagles pool is an East Dallas summertime tradition. It’s family friendly. The drinks are cheap. And sometimes, there are $1.75 hotdogs for sale inside.