Hanging around the city pools has been a rite of passage for many of Concord’s youth. It’s also where many learned their first doggy-paddle many years ago. The city of Concord has seven pools, and in recent years it’s been a challenge to find the staffing to keep them open. Like most things, part of the crunch has to do with the pandemic, which severely slowed down lifeguard training. And like many other cities in the state, finding help poolside has been a struggle that preceded COVID. But the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is hard at work to make sure this summer pool season is one to remember. Visit concordnh.gov to learn more.

Michael Minnaugh of Concord helps teach his son, Caeleb, how to swim at the Rollins Park pool last June. (GEOFF FORRESTER / Monitor file)