pools

Mayor Kicks Off 2021 Outdoor Pool Season at Renovated Woody Ward Recreation Center

By Prince Of Petworth


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. (more…)

Will Pool Capacity Restrictions Be Lifted?

By Prince Of Petworth

“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?”

Starting May 1st Changes Coming to Coronaville Regarding Restaurants, Retail, Movies and More

By Prince Of Petworth

“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.” (more…)

“DPR: Recreational Facility Reservations”

By Prince Of Petworth


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?”

East Potomac Pool Update: “I’m sad to share that they are filling in the pool with dirt and it seems that the pool may never be completed”

By Prince Of Petworth

“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. (more…)

What’s Going on at the East Potomac/Hains Point Pool Construction?

By Prince Of Petworth

Laura writes: “Did you hear they’re filling in the pool to expand the golf course… How many city residents are going to play the golf course versus miss that fabulous pool?”

And John sends the photo above: “looks like pool being filled in? Any word on this?”

Last we check in December 2019 it looked like it was still being dug out. Plans were to open last summer but obviously that was way off target. Perhaps more info will become available as part of the new golf deal with National Links Trust. Updates as we learn more.

“On Tuesday, October 13, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will open indoor pools on a modified schedule”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DPR:

“On Tuesday, October 13, in consultation with the Bowser Administration, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will open indoor pools on a modified schedule with social distancing guidelines and enhanced safety measures in place. Registration begins today, October 1. Participants must reserve a space online.

DPR will operate seven aquatic centers for structured programs and lap swimming only. Swimming reservations are limited to 45 minutes with one reservation per day and a four reservation maximum within a seven-day period. High touch surfaces will be cleaned between each time slot. As part of these safety measures, pool locker rooms will not be open for resident use.

DPR staff will ensure water chemistry readings are taken hourly. Water chemistry levels shall be maintained in compliance with current regulations from DC Health. Sanitizers used in pool operations are regulated by the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The following aquatic centers will operate Monday – Friday from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.), Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and will be closed on Sunday: (more…)

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