And as sweaty as it might be, the thought of another cinema-outing to get into some serious air-conditioning, or the prospect of staying at home and zooming up that electricity bill to stay cool, does not cut it.

You should be outdoors. Doing something. But where to go? Yes, of course you can head for the beach. As long as you’ve got time on your side and you’re happy with a long, insane drive on clogged roads.

Help is much closer to home. On Capitol Hill we have a nearby spot where you can: put the city behind you; be surrounded by water; go swimming; picnic; play golf, both “proper” and miniature; cast a line to catch a perch or catfish; fly a kite; get an ice-cream, a hot-dog, a burger; take a stroll accompanied by river breezes.

Where is this miracle haven of coolness? Head for Hains’ Point. It’s just minutes from the Hill and with its position and its facilities it’s tantamount to a country-club without the fees. There’s something for all ages, all needs, from dawn to dark. Families can split up - with mom and dad teeing-off, while the kids duck and dive. Then they can meet-up at the Potomac Grill, or one of the many picnic tables - before laughing their way round the mini-golf course.

For me, the big draw is the pool. Olympic-sized, cordoned-off sections for both children and non-athletic adult swimmers, it’s the best watery summer-blessing I know. Apart from the size of the pool and the way it accommodates all swimming needs, it has a lot of lounging space. And good loungers to go with it.

The only sad thing about getting to the pool and Hains’ Point generally - which, by the way, is officially known as East Potomac Park - is that it’s not accessible by public transport, unless you count the two mile “hike” from the Smithsonian Metro stop. But on a hot day, even the keenest walker is going to faint at that thought.

Better to leave your walking until you get there. A road and a paved path run all the way round. Do a full circle and you’ve clocked-up three and a half miles. In the summer, unless you’re a devil for punishment, you’re not going to do that at high-noon. But in the early morning, or the evening, it’s a dream of a “trail”- despite the anglers who prop their rods up against the railings. And it’s not just for walkers, but runners, joggers and in-line skaters. With soft winds wafting off the river waters that run along both sides of the park, I always get the feel of being on the deck of a ship.

And for those who like their walking “ruined” by golf, there’s a great golf course - again those river-breezes come into play - and a driving-range. And for the really hot-weather active, the 19 outdoor tennis courts beckon. For those who can’t serve and rally in the heat, there are five indoor courts, cooled to 70 degrees.

But the magic sporting activity is the mini-golf! Not just for kids, it makes for a fun family, even an all grown-up, outing. The oldest mini-golf course in the country it was opened in 1931 (10 years after the “proper” golf course) and is on the National Register for Historic Places.
Next door to the pool and the golf course, it’s shaded with lots of trees. It has a snack-bar, for ice-cream, chips and sodas. But also bring your own food. Have a fun-golf party. There’s half-a-dozen picnic-tables in the mini-golf enclosure.

And if you need the ultimate quencher, head for the Potomac Grill in the golf course pavilion. They have three types of beer on tap. And this on a National Parks’ property! They also have third-of-a-pound hamburgers, made with a “secret” marinade, plus hot-dogs, various types of chicken, omelettes. And, of course, fries.

The constant breezes that make this such a handy summer retreat come from the Potomac, that runs on the south-side and which, at the actual Hains’ Point, merges with the Anacostia, and the Washington Channel, that laps away at the north-side. From the south you gaze over to Reagan-National Airport - and if your idea of fun is watching planes take-off and landing, then this is the place to set-up your picnic. From the north side you look across, and down, onto the city - taking in the Washington Monument, the Capitol, and a flotilla of yachts.

Towards the most Easterly point is a magnificent, giant stately, chapel-like, building. It’s a view that is only afforded from Hains’ Point. And if you’ve never seen it, the questions are rife! It’s the National War College. Established in 1901, it’s now home to the National Defense University and is an integral part of Fort McNair, the oldest army base in the nation, after West Point.

How Appropriate. The mastermind behind the difficult and extraordinary construction of the “island” park was a graduate of West Point. It was named in his honor. He was Major General Peter Conover Hains, whom in 1882 was given the tough task of converting 650 acres of stagnant DC swamp into the tidal basin, of which the park, a spit of land that forces the power of the Potomac to divide, is a lynch-pin part.

Of course the one thing that knocks the socks off first time visitors, and never fails to lure time and time again, is “The Awakening”. The partially buried aluminum giant - with his beared-head, one leg, one foot, an arm and a hand - emerging from the ground is one of the most striking and amusing photo-opportunities around. Sculpted by the internationally renowned Seward Johnson (an heir to the baby powder family) it’s on permanent loan to the city.

It’s a favorite photo-backdrop for bridal couples and has been featured in several Hollywood movies, including The Net (1995)with Sandra Bullock and The Shadow Conspiracy (1997) with Charlie Sheen. As for kids - big and small - it’s a compulsive magnet. They love to clamber all over the giant’s face, sit in his hand and slide down his leg.

Through out the park, there are good spots for setting-up your summer stall - with lots of trees to catch the shade. Towards the Point is particularly good if you have children, as there’s two sets of very good playground equipment, picnic tables and public rest-rooms.

All, in all, it’s hard to imagine such a handy, summer-in-the-city hang-out, that has so much going for it. Hains’ Point is truly cool.....

Ends

TO GET THERE:
From Capitol Hill get onto I-395 S; take “Potomac Park/Park Police” exit; turn right and follow signs into park; 3.5 miles.

SWIMMING POOL:
East Potomac Park Pool; opens June 4th, for Saturdays and Sundays only; full season starts June 22nd; closed Wednesdays; hours, weekdays 1.00 - 8.00pm, weekends noon to 6.00pm; fees, DC residents (non-residents in brackets), adults $3 ($5), seniors $2 ($5), under six-year-olds free (free), 17 or under $1 ($3); tel 202-727-6523.

GOLF:
Three courses: advance, 18 hole, par 72, 6,599 yards; intermediate, 9 hole, par 34, 2,505 yards; beginners, 9 hole, par 27, 1,311 yards. Open all year, every day but Christmas; summer hours 6.30am to “dark”; top fee $26.50 at weekends for 18 holes; driving range has two decks, 100 stalls, $5 for 51 balls; golf school offers group and private lessons; pro-shop fully stocked with gear; boxed lunches available with advance order; food-cart (sandwiches, chips, sodas and candy)circulates course; games can be seven-day advanced booked; tel 202-488-8087; website: www.golfdc.com

MINI-GOLF:
Open every day but Monday; noon to 8.00pm; summer season ends Labor Day; then open weekends only; fees, children $3.75 at all times; adults $4.50 at weekends, $4.00 during week; birthday parties and group-outings arranged; tel 202-488-8087; website: www.golfdc.com

TENNIS:
Open every day, 7.00am to 10pm; hourly fees: outdoor courts $18 for hard, $15 for clay, indoor $17; lessons, one-on-one coaching and group-clinics; racquets for rent; tel 202-554-5962; website: www.eastpotomactennis.com