Generations of Northeast youngsters have gathered to splash, stay cool and hang out with friends at the Budd Park pool (5600 Budd Park Esplanade).

According to Kate Warfield, historian for Kansas City Parks and Recreation, the first wading pool was constructed in 1917. Located in the southeast corner of Budd Park, its construction cost totaled $1849.08.

Based on these black and white photos, sent to us by an anonymous reader, the original round pool — which was its deepest in the center — was still in use in 1949. In the days prior to air-conditioned homes, this pool was visited daily by hundreds of children as a respite from the summer heat.

In 1954, this pool was replaced by a complex containing a junior pool, wading pool, toilets and bath house, surrounded by a chain link fence. The parks board approved a bid from Sharp Brothers Construction for $35,985.00.

The current pool in Budd Park was constructed in 2000 — a single oval pool with increasing depths to 5 feet and spray features. Its large pool house contains all the filtration equipment, toilets, showers and snack bar. The pool is open daily from noon to 7 p.m.