The stifling heat of summer has descended upon the Southland, and everyone's looking for ways to cool off.

Some won't have to go far—to swimming pools in their backyards—but others will flock to community pools for a quick dip on a hot day. Some pools are laidback oases, perfect for a book and a cold drink. Others are too fun to resist a ride down the slide and splashing with the youngsters.

So tell us—What's your preferred public pool in the Southland?

VOTE: Readers nominated the options below. To cast your vote, select an option in the poll at the bottom of the article. Also make sure to tell us why you picked your favorite in the comments.

To vote, you must be logged in to your free Patch account. Don't have one? Click "Join" in the upper right corner. The winner will be determined by poll votes only, not reviews or comments. 

Voting ends Aug. 17. 

WRITE REVIEWS

Click on the name of a pool or water park below for more information or to write a review.

• Centennial Park Aquatic Center in Orland Park
• Palos Heights Pool in Palos Heights
• Oak Lawn Park Dist Centennial Park Pool
• Lions Club Pool in Homewood
• Park Forest Aqua Club
• White Water Canyon Water Park (Tinley Park)
• Lawn Aqua in Oak Lawn
• Burbank Park District Pool