SOUTH FLORIDA spotlight
Splash into Summer LOOKING TO COOL DOWN? THESE POOLS HAVE YOU COVERED
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ummer in South Florida is a great time to hit the pool, and although COVID-19 has caused Broward County water parks to close, plenty of other places to splash and swim are open. South Florida’s most well-known water park, Rapids, is now open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Located just north of West Palm Beach, Rapids has more than a dozen water slides, a lazy river, a FlowRider, a wave pool and a splash lagoon for smaller ones. Rapids is kicking off summer fun with an Educators Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 12, for educators and their families. Learn more at www.rapidswaterpark.com Coconut Cove Water Park in Boca Raton is open weekends
capacity. Only 60 guests will be admitted per session on a first-come, first-served basis. www.aquaticcomplex.com The Caporella Aquatic Center in Tamarac is also open daily on a limited basis, with a swimming pool with zero depth entry and children’s water playground. www.tamarac.org/539/Caporella-Aquatic-Center South Florida’s newest water park, Tidal Cove, is tucked away at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura. With seven water slides, a FlowRider, a lazy river, a kids cove and more, Tidal Cove has more than enough to entertain the whole family. www.tidalcovemiami.com Grapeland Water Park near the Miami International Airport
only through June 18. On June 19, it opens seven days a week through Aug. 8, then returns to weekends only through Sept. 6. Coconut Cove has two slides, a lazy river, an interactive water playground and more. www.coconutcove-waterpark.com The Cypress Pool and Water Park in Coral Springs will be open daily during the summer with limited
will be open 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily from Thursday, June 10, through Sunday, August 22. Grapeland has three water slides and an interactive water playground, a large heated pool, a lazy river, a splash and slide area for smaller kids, and more. www.archive.miamigov.com/grapeland/index.html The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is a great way to cool down, too. Open seven days a week, the Venetian Pool requires reservations in advance at www.playgables.com. Although it has no water slides, the Venetian’s 820,000-gallon pool is fed with spring water from an underground aquifer that refills the pool daily. www.coralgables.com/departments/ CommunityRecreation/venetianpool
TAILS AND TALES TREAT KIDS TO FUN Animal lovers and book lovers are in for a treat during the Tails and Tales Summer Reading Program, happening online at the Broward County and Miami-Dade County libraries. The annual Summer Learning Program is a series of free, fun, online events designed to teach, entertain and inspire readers of all ages. This year’s “Tails and Tales” theme includes free virtual programs focusing on animals and nature, as well as events such as trivia contests, crafts, puppet shows, performances, wildlife education and more. Summer at Your Library also features free “grab and go” meals at participating libraries in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. In Broward County, the summer reading program includes giveaways for those who register at www.broward.org/Library/Pages/Summer.aspx and then complete various challenges. Prizes include rewards from the Museum of Discovery and Science, Miami Children’s Museum, Water Taxi, Monster Mini Golf, Miami Heat, and more. Tails and Tales kicks off in Broward County with the 16th Annual Children’s BookFest on Saturday, June 5, with “Let’s Draw with Bob Shea!” from 11 a.m.
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to noon and “The Magical Bookstore,” a performance by Fantasy Theatre Factory, from 1 to 2 p.m. Learn more at www.broward.org/Library. On July 17 at 2 p.m., the library is hosting “Caturday with the Cat Daddy, Jackson Galaxy,” from Animal Planet’s hit show “My Cat From Hell.” This online event is part of the Broward Library’s Cats and Dogs Programs. Register at www.broward.org/Library/Events/Pages/default.aspx. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Miami-Dade library program is not including giveaways as of press time, but its Tails and Tales event calendar is filling up. A Virtual STEAM Fest for all ages is planned Saturday, June 12, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Explore a world of science and help kick off the Summer Reading Challenge during this live Zoom event, which will teach fascinating facts about turtles, fish, Florida panthers and more. Space is limited, and registration is required at www.mdpls.org/events.