Summer heat will soon return and many DeKalb residents will “take the plunge” into local swimming pools.

Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, opens June 2, said Facility Director Steve Sherrill. The park opens for lap swimming and sunbathing at 10 a.m. The baby pool opens at 11 a.m. and the rest of the facility opens at 1 p.m.

Sherrill said the park features a 210-foot long water slide, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a baby pool, about 150 chaise lounges and a pool deep enough for diving.

The park will add a 114-foot water slide and 50 more chaise lounges this year, he said.

Park District Business Manager Margie Kretz said that DeKalb Park District residents can pay $30 for a season pass, allowing the holder to use the facilities all season. Non-residents can buy a pass for $3 extra, she said.

Passes go on sale May 2, Kretz said. A one-day pass costs $3.50 for adults, she said. Passes for children under four are $1. There is no price difference between DeKalb residents and non-DeKalb residents.

Kretz said aerobics and swimming lessons will be held at the pool in the morning and early evening. Sherrill said people can sign up for classes at the Park District office.

Sherrill said the water slide and chaise lounges were added because of increased attendance. Kretz also said “the pools have been drawing more people, especially since we added the water slide.”

NIU’s Gabel Hall and Anderson Hall pools have been open all year, said Campus Recreation Coordinator Alicia Cosky. They are open to all NIU students and employees until May 11, said Cosky.

The pools are open noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 12:15 to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Cosky said.

Weekend hours are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, she said.

Cosky said the pools will reopen when summer school starts, but a daily schedule has not been determined.

Swimming is prohibited in any of DeKalb County’s forest preserves, said Forest Preserve District Secretary Kathy Sloniker. Fishing and canoeing are allowed in most lakes and ponds.