Laden with books and bulging folders, the boys and girls of James Burrus Elementary sweated and trudged through Friday afternoon's sticky heat to their parents' waiting cars. Some looked longingly at the shady oasis across the street: Independence Heights Park.

Home to the historic African-American neighborhood's only public swimming pool, the park has been a hot-weather respite for decades. When school ends in two weeks, though, these kids and their families likely will face sad news: Both the pool and the adjoining community center will be closed.

Under Mayor Annise Parker's deficit-conscious budget plan unveiled Thursday, the facilities would be among seven community centers and eight swimming pools to be shuttered. Only Independence Heights, though, would suffer a double hit.

"This is a serious concern," said City Councilman Ed Gonzalez, whose district includes the north Houston neighborhood. "I will work on this very hard to change the course."

Noting that the neighborhood lacks other amenities, such as a public library branch, Gonzalez said he will confer with parks officials to see if the closure plan can be altered. He stopped short of saying he would vote against the mayor's budget recommendation.

Residents of Independent Heights, the oldest independently governed black community in Texas prior to its 1929 annexation by the city, expressed dismay over the recommendation Friday.

"What are we supposed to do, revert to the water hose and the plastic pool?" asked Mardie Paige, a grandmother of two school-age children and president of the Burrus Elementary PTO. "Where are kids supposed to go when it's 102 degrees outside?"

John Branch, director of the neighborhood's war on drugs and neighborhood patrol, worried that idle youths could be drawn into vandalism and crime.

Many Independence Heights residents lack transportation or even the money for public transportation to public pools in other neighborhoods, he said.

Natasha Johnson, president of the Independence Heights Super Neighborhood Council, called on the city to reduce the hours of operation for the pool and community center if necessary, but to keep them open.

By noon Friday, Johnson had received more than a dozen irate calls from Independence Heights residents upset by the plan, she said. Johnson said at least four neighborhood groups use the community center for meetings.

"It's just bad business to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and elderly," said longtime resident Billie Gray, who lives near the park. "Close the parks in River Oaks, but leave the others open."

Another resident, Eddie Kate Smith, called the park "the center of the community," and suggested that City Hall "cut their big salaries" to help balance the municipal budget.

Among parents waiting for their kids at Burrus Elementary Friday was Kevin Johnson, who said his children, ages 7, 12, and 17, routinely use the park's swimming pool.

"I think they should ask people to volunteer," he said. "People would volunteer to keep these facilities open. I know. I'm one."

Houston Parks and Recreation Department Friday reported that the Independence Heights park pool and community center opened in 1970.

In 2010, an average of 36 people a day visited the pool during its 70-day summer season. An average 43 people a day visited the community center, which is open 50 weeks a year.

City of Houston swimming pools traditionally open on the Memorial Day weekend.

allan.turner@chron.com