Need a Place to Cool Off This Summer?

It's been rainy and fairly cool this spring, but let's take a hot and humid trip down memory lane to the summer of 2010.

That particular season was the fourth-warmest in the contiguous United States since the government started keeping track of weather in 1895, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last July was the third-warmest on record in Connecticut, with Hartford reaching a record-breaking 102 degrees on July 6.

Assuming we're in for another scorcher, here are some options to consider so that you have an outdoor destination for cooling down and splashing around. Click on the links for information about opening dates, membership where applicable, and fees.

Briarcliff Swim & Recreation Club
107 Craigemore Circle, Avon

This recreational facility for families includes a heated in-ground lap pool, as well as access to Secret Lake for fishing and boating. Membership is seasonal.

Sycamore Hills Recreation Center
635 W. Avon Road, Avon

This 33-acre recreation center includes a town pool. Entry to the pool costs $5 for residents and $7 for non-residents. Passes can be purchased at the senior center.

Percival Pool

Percival Ave., Berlin

This municipal park includes a swimming pool.

Demore-Dina-Bittner East Berlin Pool
Wilcox Ave., East Berlin

This municipal park includes a swimming pool.

Mills Pond Park
14 East Hill Road, Canton

This recreation area features a six-lane, Olympic-size swimming pool, and offers group and private Red Cross swimming lessons on weekdays and Saturday mornings during the summer. The pool also hosts the Duskie Dolphins youth swim team.

Farmington Farms Tennis & Athletic Club
94 Brickyard Road, Farmington

Indoor and outdoor pools, in addition to a kiddie pool, are available at the club. The pools welcome lap swimmers, water walkers and recreational swimmers.  Swimming lessons are available for children and adults.

Simsbury Farms
100 Old Farms Road, Simsbury

Simsbury Farms is the town's largest recreational facility, and it boasts four swimming pools: a 25-yard, eight-lane pool; a 25-by-50-foot training area, a specially designed wading pool, and a separate diving pool.  It is the home of the Simsbury Sprinter swim team.  Season passes are available for both family and individuals and swim lessons are offered.

Recreation Park
Maxwell Noble Drive, Southington

This municipal park includes a swimming pool.

Veterans Memorial Park
Woodruff Street, Southington

This park is home of the William V. DePaolo Memorial Pool.

Municipal pools

Beachland Park (847 South Quaker Lane), Eisenhower Park (Sheep Hill Drive), Kennedy Park (160 Oakwood Ave.) and Fernridge Park (567 Fern St.) all have large outdoor swimming pools with swim lessons and hours for public swimming.