I moved to Levittown in 1963 with a graduate student husband, two very young daughters, two cribs, a double bed and two lawn chairs. Thus began my love affair with the Slate Lane Pool.

Imagine my joy at discovering that there was a place where I could go with my children on hot summer days that was safe, fun, wet and free! Who cared that we weren't allowed any creature comforts within the fence surrounding the pool - no food, no drinks, no chairs and no soft mats to lie on. Just cement walks and cement benches. No matter - the wading pool was wonderful for my toddlers and now and then, I could even sit them in a corner and run into the "grown-up" pool for a total body cool-off.

As the years went by, the pool remained a center of our frugality-driven summer activity. As my daughters grew older, they were delighted to be able to go to the pool without Mom hovering in the background. My son, to this day, thanks me for dragging him out of bed for 9 a.m. swimming lessons and as a result has long been an avid lap swimmer.

More years passed and my grandchildren began enjoying the Slate Lane Pool. As had my children before them, they entered the "kiddie" pool with trepidation and before I knew it (as time flies) they were joyfully overcoming the challenge of the diving boards, filled with delight and exhilaration when they mastered the high board. More time, more years, more of life changes ... today I happily accomplished a goal I had set for myself two summers ago: I swam 40 laps nonstop!

It still brings a smile to my face, sitting on the now relatively luxurious wooden benches, to watch the young families romping with their children, the older folk walking and talking in the water and the ever-younger lifeguards patrolling with their sharp eyes and ready whistles.

These pools are such a wonderful contribution to the family life in our community.

Dania Smith