Respite from heat available in Merced

A couple of pools and a library in Merced may be good places to beat the heat this summer as they offer programs for adults and children.

The city of Merced allows recreational swimming from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday in June and July at McNamara Park’s pool, 1040 Canal St. The cost to enter the pool is $1 for children under 18 and $2 for adults.

Also, there is lap swimming for adults at McNamara Pool from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays during those months. Still more lap swimming for adults is offered from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at Merced High School’s pool, 205 W. Olive Ave.

The adult lap swimming program is part of the city’s Healthy Eating Active Lifestyle Program, or HEAL, and is provided at no cost.

The pool may be a welcome sight for those feeling the heat. Summer highs in Merced can reach well above the century mark, though the National Weather Service in Hanford is predicting mid-90s for Merced’s near future.

For those not likely to swim but looking for an air-conditioned building, the Merced County Library, 2100 O St., opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

The library’s summer reading program for students, Read to the Rhythm, is also ongoing through Aug. 8.

Themed events include Journey of the Polynesians, Instrument Petting Zoo, Didgeridoo Down Under, EM Reptiles and Kids Talent Show.

Participants read for at least 20 minutes each day and mark off a reading log for every day of reading. After 14 days of reading, participants can bring in the reading log to earn a prize at the library.

The other branches of the library have varying hours. For that list, go to the county’s website.

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Respite from heat available in Merced."