Photo by Mr. T in DC

We’re still a few months from the traditional Memorial Day opening of the city’s 19 outdoor public pools, but one resident is already petitioning that they open earlier than noon on weekends. In a Change.org petition, D.C. resident Lyndsey Medsker wrote that opening the pools at 10 a.m. would offer users more flexibility and convenience, especially on the hottest of the summer’s days:

DC has invested tens of millions of dollars building new – and renovating old – outdoor aquatic facilities. For hundreds of thousands full-time working parents, students and all others who want to visit a pool to cool down during hot summer weekends, the noon start time makes it difficult, if not impossible, for many to enjoy the facilities. Shade is limited at most all pools and opening just as the sun is at its peak makes it dangerous for the elderly, toddlers and anyone trying to avoid intense sun. By 1pm, the facilities become over-crowded, even dangerous, for younger kids.

Opening the facilities at 10am allows time to enjoy the pool before the noontime sun, it gives older citizens, younger children, parents and other early risers to use facilities before the crowds arrive. Finally, and maybe most importantly, it is a good way to spend a small portion of the budget surplus, giving taxpayers of DC the opportunity to use facilities built with tax revenue.

The $417 million surplus D.C. recently received is already spoken for, but last week D.C. CFO Natwar Gandhi said that the city can expect higher-than-estimated revenues for the years to come. For this fiscal year, lawmakers will see $190 million more than expected.

Expanding hours of operation isn’t an idea limited only two pools—Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) has introduced a bill that would mandate that would expand operating hours for public libraries during the week and on weekends.

The city’s outdoor pools alternate closing days and stay open later on weekdays, but on weekends only open at noon and often close at 6 p.m.