Longview’s Stamper Pool Is Open This Sunday for $3 or Less

By Real Ryan Nichols Editorial Team

East Texas summer does not check the calendar before it turns up the heat.

Longview families still have a low-cost place to cool down today.

The City of Longview’s current Stamper Park Family Aquatic Center page says the pool at 501 Fair Street remains open on Saturdays and Sundays through September 27. The listed weekend hours are noon to 6 p.m.

Admission is $2 for ages 3 through 17, $3 for adults 18 and older, and free for children age 2 and younger.

Those details were verified against the city’s website on September 13, 2026. Weather, maintenance, and safety conditions can still change an operating day, so check the official page before leaving home.

What families get for the admission price

Stamper is not just a rectangle of water.

The city lists a zero-entry area, spray features, a play structure with slides and climbing platforms, a water slide, water basketball, water volleyball, shade structures, lounge chairs, family restrooms, and changing rooms.

The pool ranges from zero to four feet deep. That does not remove the need for active adult supervision, but it does give families different ways to use the space.

For a parent trying to fill a Sunday afternoon without turning it into an expensive outing, the price is the headline. A household can get several hours of local recreation for less than many single movie tickets.

Why the pool is still open

Longview announced the extended schedule on August 10. The city’s notice said Ingram Pool would close for the season while the recently opened Stamper facility shifted to weekends.

That schedule keeps one public aquatic option available after the traditional summer calendar ends.

It also gives residents a chance to use a facility that represents a substantial public investment. The city’s facility page says the project included $6.5 million from general fund reserves, a $4.2 million construction contract, and a $3 million state grant.

Those figures describe the project history. They do not tell us how many people will attend today or whether any temporary restriction will be in place. The city’s live page is still the best place to verify operating status.

A simple before-you-go checklist

Before loading the car, take five minutes.

1. Open the official Stamper page and confirm there is no closure notice.
2. Check the local weather, especially lightning risk.
3. Bring swimwear, towels, sunscreen, drinking water, and the correct admission amount.
4. Plan direct adult supervision for younger or less confident swimmers.
5. Decide your meeting point before children enter the water.

The pool’s shallow entry and play features can make the space feel casual. Water safety still requires attention. A public lifeguard is not a replacement for knowing where your child is.

What remains uncertain

The official page lists the standing weekend schedule. It does not guarantee that every feature will operate every hour.

Weather can close an outdoor pool. Maintenance can affect a slide or play feature. Capacity can change the experience. Families with accessibility questions or a long drive should contact Longview Parks and Recreation at the number listed on the facility page before leaving.

That is not a warning to stay home. It is a reminder to verify the last mile.

A useful Sunday does not have to be expensive

Public spaces matter because they make ordinary life more possible.

A parent gets a place to take the kids. A child gets room to move. A family gets an afternoon together without needing a major plan or a major budget.

If the weather cooperates and the city page shows normal operations, Stamper Pool is one practical option today.

Check the official listing, pack for the heat, and decide whether a few hours in the water would serve your family better than another afternoon inside.

For another current Longview family resource, read Longview Kids Can Build for Free at the Library. For a public-safety resource worth setting up before it is needed, see Longview’s Smart911 profile guide.

Would a low-cost Sunday swim help somebody in your house today?