Free Summer Fun Returns to Tomball: Jerry Matheson Public Pool and Splash Pad Opens for 2026 Season
As temperatures begin climbing across the Tomball area, one longtime community favorite is preparing to welcome families back for another summer of free fun, outdoor play, and relief from the Texas heat. The Jerry Matheson Public Pool & Splash Pad at Jerry Matheson Park officially opens for the 2026 season Memorial Day weekend, giving residents a budget-friendly place to swim, play, and spend time together all summer long.
Located at 1240 Ulrich Rd. in Tomball, the public pool has become a seasonal tradition for many local families looking for an affordable and accessible way to stay active during summer break. With free admission, a shaded splash pad, swim lessons for young children, and extended weekend hours throughout the season, the facility continues to serve as one of Tomball’s most family-centered summer amenities.
For many Tomball-area families looking for an easy and affordable way to beat the summer heat, the Jerry Matheson Public Pool and Splash Pad has become a go-to spot for afternoons outside with the kids.
Pool Season Begins Memorial Day Weekend
The 2026 pool season begins with special pre-season hours over Memorial Day weekend:
- Saturday, May 23: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, May 24: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Monday, May 25: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Regular season hours will run from Tuesday, May 26 through Sunday, Aug. 9:
- Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.
The pool will remain open on select weekends through Labor Day, giving Tomball-area families additional opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation before the school year fully settles in.
Mondays are reserved for cleaning and maintenance, except on Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Splash Pad Offers Safe Fun for Younger Children
One of the most popular features at Jerry Matheson Park is the shaded splash pad water play area connected to the pool facility. Designed with younger children in mind, the splash pad includes motion-activated spray features, upward-shooting water nozzles, slides, shower-style elements, and dumping buckets that create an interactive play environment without standing water.
For many families with toddlers and younger children, the splash pad offers a more comfortable introduction to water play while still allowing parents and siblings to enjoy the larger pool area nearby.
The splash pad is accessible through the pool entrance and includes a gated divider between the splash pad and pool area to enhance safety.
Free Swim Lessons Help Build Water Safety Skills
Beyond recreation, the City of Tomball continues to emphasize water safety education through the Tomball Kids Swim Program, a free swim lesson and water safety initiative for children ages 4 to 7.
The program is designed to teach elementary-aged children foundational swim and life-saving water safety skills during limited-size classes held on Tuesdays or Thursdays, depending on the session schedule.
Registration opens one week prior to each session, and city officials note the program is intended as an introduction to swimming rather than a replacement for ongoing swim instruction and practice.
As drowning prevention and water safety remain major concerns across Texas during the summer months, programs like Tomball Kids Swim provide families with an accessible way to help children gain confidence around water.
Important Pool Rules for Families to Know
City officials are also reminding visitors about several important pool safety and attire rules ahead of the busy summer season.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older, and adults must actively supervise children at all times. Pool rules also require one adult for every eight children ages 12 and younger in the water.
Approved swimwear is required, including swimsuits, swim trunks, rash guards, polyester swim shirts, and water shoes. Cotton T-shirts and other non-approved clothing are prohibited in the pool due to safety concerns.
Additional rules include:
- No smoking inside the pool area
- No alcohol or glass containers
- No outdoor grills
- No flotation devices except U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets
- Swim diapers required for infants and babies
Families planning to bring large groups of 10 or more children are encouraged to contact the pool manager in advance to ensure adequate lifeguard staffing.
For many Tomball residents, the Jerry Matheson Public Pool & Splash Pad represents more than just a place to cool off. It is one of those simple community spaces where summer memories are made — from first swim lessons and splash pad adventures to afternoons spent with neighbors and friends during school break.
Residents looking for more information about pool hours, swim lesson registration, or facility guidelines can visit the City of Tomball website.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Tomball summer events, family activities, and community updates throughout the season.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.