DC Pools

[Anonymous]

Francis pool is an outdoor pool in the West End, 25th or so and N. They have a great "sloping" pool that does get crowded, but it's clean, and fun!

[Anonymous]

can someone explain why flotation devices and other related things aren't allowed in DC pools? dd is always disappointed that she can't wear her swimmies.

[Anonymous]

Happy hollow is not worth making a trip for, but if you live within walking distance it is fine. It is like a 1950s relic. The fill it with new clean water everyday. It can be cold. It is usually about 1-3 feet of water. Anytime I have gone it has been empty, but the guards report that "camps" use it in the noon to 2 time slot.

If it was hot and I was a SAHM in Adam's Morgan, it's wander over.

Dressing rooms are kinda ick, so change before you go.

[Anonymous]

what are your hours? It doesn't say and so that's why i'm asking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone taken their infant/toddler to "Happy Hollow" pool in DC? It's at 18th and Kalorama, and considered a "children's outdoor pool." I've walked by that are a million times but never noticed an outdoor pool.

Is it a place people go to hang out with their infant for an hour or 2? Is there shade? Not baby friendly? Any insight from DCUM?

Thanks!

what are the hour's. Do you have an idea? I wanted to know because i've never been before and would like to go, but dont know what time they open or close. If you fine out can you just right back. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:can someone explain why flotation devices and other related things aren't allowed in DC pools? dd is always disappointed that she can't wear her swimmies.

because parents get a false sense of security and don't properly watch their kids. I was a lifeguard in high school and saw many kids jump in with their arms up and those swimmies pop right off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:can someone explain why flotation devices and other related things aren't allowed in DC pools? dd is always disappointed that she can't wear her swimmies.

because parents get a false sense of security and don't properly watch their kids. I was a lifeguard in high school and saw many kids jump in with their arms up and those swimmies pop right off.

I was also told by a lifeguard that they're very concerned about anything--floating devices and toys--that might get left in the pool, since chances are decent that it will wind up getting sucked into & then breaking the water filtration system.

I'm a huge DC public pool fan, but my ongoing frustration this summer has been the spotty enforcement of the no toys policy. Some lifeguards allow toys, and others don't--which is pretty hard to explain to my 3 year old.

[Anonymous]

The Wilson Pool behind the Whole Foods in Tenleytown is fantastic (indoor). Huge 50 meter lap lanes, another large kid pool and a big hot tub. Good changing facilities. And salt water. It's beautiful!

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure that Happy Hollow is open starting at 10am - I don't know how late it stays open though. It is only open M-F now, starting June 30th. I haven't been in a month, but last time we went it was shady and not at all crowded. My 20 month old can stand up in it. The no toys thing is a little sad for him though. Agree on the changing rooms - better to come dressed.

[Anonymous]

Old post but reviving it for happy hollow pool info
We stopped by the happy hollow pool yesterday and it looked closed (although the DPR site says its open)

[Anonymous]

We enjoy the Upshur pool up on Arkansas, you have to arrive at opening to get a shady lounge chair but they have a large shallow fenced in kid's pool and a deeper pool...therre was no shade at the kid's pool last year but that may have changed.
We also like going to the spray park at 8th & Taylor, and the itty bitty spray area next to Turtle Park (Friendship Heights rec center) Both are next to playgrounds so you can make a half day of it.

[Anonymous]

Flotation devices block visibility for the lifeguards, they can't see the bottom as easily, and as one poster noted, they promote a false sense of security, parents stop watching/staying within arm's reach of their non-swimming kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Happy Hollow is awesome. Haven't been yet this year, but it was great last summer with an infant. Very quiet, shaded, not crowded, no rambunctious crazy kids splashing all over the place (at least compared to someplace like Francis). It's too deep for a toddler to stand on his own, but perfect with an infant.

The entrance is actually off 17th, not 18th - you enter through the bathrooms/changing area.

We also like the Upshur pool, off of Arkansas near 14th, between Upshur and Allison. They have a separate baby pool, which keeps the rowdier kids away from the little ones.

agree with all of the points this poster makes. like happy hollow quite a bit. because they fill it daily-ish, the water can be a bit chilly.

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Wilson Pool behind the Whole Foods in Tenleytown is fantastic (indoor). Huge 50 meter lap lanes, another large kid pool and a big hot tub. Good changing facilities. And salt water. It's beautiful!

Is it really salt water? Every time I go in there and observe from the 2nd floor my eyes burn and it smells like chlorine. Is salt water supposed to smell like chlorine? Its hard for me to believe but I would much rather have salt water.