One of the largest pools in America is in L.A. It's packed with beach vibes and fun - BERITAJA

There’s thing for illustration taking a cool dip aft a basking day, particularly successful L.A. summertime weather. As highest swimming play kicks off, the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center excavation successful Lake View Terrace reopened Memorial Day connected weekends aft being closed for the season. It will beryllium unfastened regular for aquatics and play starting Saturday.

The celebrated San Fernando Valley aquatic halfway spans 40 acres that see a monolithic 1.5-acre excavation lined pinch soil for illustration a beach. There’s besides a nine-acre reservoir utilized for sportfishing and nonmotorized vessel activities.

“As 1 of the largest pools successful the U.S., capacity [being] 3,500, we get truthful galore group from each complete the city, each complete the county, group coming from retired of authorities to this place,” Edwin Realegeno, aquatic installation head of the center, said.

The Hansen Dam Aquatic Center excavation was constructed successful 1999 successful a $15-million project to switch a erstwhile excavation successful the area that was filled pinch silt.

Along the pool’s sandy shores, individuals could usage the volleyball courts and teqball table. There are besides different levels of shallow h2o for young swimmers and toddlers.

Paty Santillana, a Van Nuys resident, has visited the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center for the past 15 years. “It’s cleanable for small kids. I person a 5-year-old and besides a 21-year-old, who we utilized to travel present with,” Santillana said. She adds that her grandchildren are ecstatic each clip she mentions a sojourn to the pool.

Idalia Fraga, a 12-year-old swimmer who has been to the excavation doubly since its reopening connected Memorial Day weekend, said she enjoys the excavation for its affordability.

“Prices are very inexpensive ... it really helps those families who struggle,” Fraga said.

After immoderate renovations to its ample h2o descent that will beryllium reopening Saturday, the excavation is unfastened to swimmers for an admittance interest of $4 for adults and children 17 and nether for $1. The halfway takes rate only.

The recreational reservoir is unfastened year-round and is restocked pinch food from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Christopher Lopez relaxes by regularly sportfishing astatine the Hansen Dam Recreation Lake connected the weekends.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

Along the lake, group bask stepping the surrounding grassy pathway and fishing. Christopher Lopez, a Pacoima resident, who besides goes by the nickname Squid, goes to the reservoir for the latter.

Lopez started sportfishing about 2 months agone pinch his longtime friend from simple school. “[It’s about] getting retired of the location and having thing to do connected the weekends and being capable to bask the day,” he said. “Spending our clip retired present I deliberation is conscionable a awesome addition.”

For Lopez, catching bass aliases trout and enjoying the occasional breeze is simply a cleanable time to sorb the beauty of nature.

Lifeguards Israel Orozco, left, and Ian Zabel, right, watch the excavation arsenic visitors cool disconnected astatine the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

The recreational halfway is hosting fundraising 1K and 5K runs connected Sunday followed by a statement pinch free entree to the pool. Realegeno said the fundraiser is to thief money nationalist excavation centers crossed L.A. County and to beforehand swimming information lessons.

Visit the recreation center’s website aliases Instagram page for much accusation arsenic good arsenic updates connected excavation aliases descent closures. Hours vary.