“Dear PoPville,
I went to Banneker pool Sunday and there was a long line at around 11AM. Figured it was just busy for the 4th. Got to the line and we were being told to register for our DPR pass. Everyone in line given a piece of paper with QR code to scan and then register on the site. Read More
Ed. Note: Sounds like the standard ‘adult swim’ common at many private pools. Which makes sense. What I don’t understand is why this also applies to the kids pool (a separate shallow pool not attached used what seems exclusively by children and their adults of course.) Anyway, OP’s question:
“Dear PoPville,
I am hoping someone can explain the 15-minute break some DC outdoor pools require every hour. I always thought the reason was to give the lifeguards a break, so that they’d be sharply focused when they’re needed. But twice in the past couple of weeks at Francis pool, the lifeguards have required only kids to get out for 15 minutes, not adults. So, the lifeguards have to continue being vigilant during that time–and kids have to watch adults swimming and know that they can’t.
Anyone know what the reason is behind this policy? I tried to find it on the DC Parks & Rec website, but had no luck.”
From the Department of Parks and Recreation:
“When the weather heats up in DC, DPR is the place to be. That’s why we’re focused on getting #BackToSummer and helping residents make the most of this long-awaited season.
Next week marks the beginning of expanded access for outdoor pools and recreation centers.
Starting Monday, June 28:
Outdoor pools will be open for a maximum of 6 days per week.
Select outdoor pools will shift operations to remain open until 8pm on weekdays. Read More
5100 Southern Avenue, SE via DPR
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser joined residents to kick off the District’s outdoor pool season with the “Jump in, DC” celebratory event and cut the ribbon on the renovated and rechristened Woody Ward (formerly Benning Park) Recreation Center. The Mayor also announced Washington, DC regained its #1 spot as the top ranked park system in the country by The Trust for Public Land.
“DC is ready for summer and all the joy and DPR programming that it brings. We are especially excited that this summer we can reopen our pools and spray parks,” said Mayor Bowser. “We know that – because we invest in them and prioritize them – DC has fantastic outdoor spaces, playgrounds, and recreation centers. We’re happy to receive recognition for our park system, and even happier to deliver facilities like Woody Ward to our residents.”
DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) outdoor pools and spray parks will open Saturday, May 29, and remain open through Monday, May 31. Pools will operate on a weekend-only schedule (Saturday and Sunday) through Sunday, June 27. Starting Monday, June 28, all outdoor pools will operate on individual summer schedules, six days a week, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. All DPR spray parks open Saturday, May 29 and operate daily thereafter, from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. DPR’s aquatic inventory includes 18 outdoor pools, 11 indoor pools, 33 spray parks and three children’s pools. For more information on the summer outdoor pool schedule, visit: dpr.dc.gov/page/outdoor-pools.
The newly renovated, $11 million Woody Ward Recreation Center is a two-story building with an outdoor pool and 24,000 square-feet of exterior and interior improvements. Read More
Thanks to all who sent in the news that lap reservation will no longer be needed starting Jun 1st.
And for outdoor pools “DPR Outdoor Pools will reopen at full capacity on Saturday, May 29, 2021.” Read More
“Dear PoPville,
As you likely know, starting Friday, May 21, there are no longer supposed to be capacity restrictions at most places, including pools! However, DC pools are still including a reservation system that fills up quickly (I have only had success at 9am once)! I tried today for next week with no luck, before realizing that reservations shouldn’t even be needed for next Monday! Do you know if they will continue requiring reservations or if they just haven’t taken down the system yet?”
“Beginning May 1st, the indoor capacity limit for non-essential retail businesses is raised from 25% to 50% or 250 people, whichever is lower.”
From the Mayor’s Situational Update yesterday.
“The number of people who can sit together at a restaurant table is increased from 6 people to 10 people. Live music will be allowed outdoors for summer gardens, courtyard dining and sidewalk cafes controlled by the restaurants.” Read More
via DPR
“Dear PoPville,
I’m wondering if anyone else is having this problem or if this is somehow user error on my end. I’ve previously reserved lanes at indoor pools, as is required during COVID. However, for the last few weeks, I’ve been unable to do so. When I try to login, it says there is no account under that email. So then I tried to create an account, and it says there is already an account associated with that email. Then I try “forget password” and reset the password, but then get the same error message when I try to log in (no account under that email). Is anyone else having this issue reserving space through DPR?”
2500 Georgia Avenue, NW
Thanks to John for sending: “They’re filling the pool at Banneker! Summer’s coming!”
Stay tuned for opening dates and hours next month.
“Dear PoPville,
For the past week I have been trying to find out what is going on with the East Potomac Park pool. You posted about the unknown status of the pool earlier this week. I have now received a response from DPR. I’m sad to share that they are filling in the pool with dirt and it seems that the pool may never be completed. DPR directed me to the updated project page which states “It has become necessary to demobilize and stabilize the East Potomac Pool project due to deteriorating site conditions from significant and unforeseen groundwater intrusion that ultimately made the continuation of the project both safety and cost prohibitive. Read More
