pools

New hours for the Dunbar High School pool

By Prince Of Petworth

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100 N Street, NW

From DPR:

“Today, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced new community hours at the Dunbar Aquatic Facility (101 N Street, NW) starting Monday, January 5, 2015.

The new hours for public use are as follows: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 am to 8 am and 5 pm to 9 pm; and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. Previously the facility only offered Saturday and Sunday community swim hours.

Permits and classes will be available starting in Spring 2015.

Please refer to DPR’s Aquatics website page regarding the District’s pool procedures and policies.”

Doggie Day Swim Scheduled for September 6th!

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

Though it’s always sad to learn of the public pools closing schedule – there is one more day of happiness for many – Doggie Day Swim. This year DPR tells me it will be on Saturday, Sept 6th at Randall (25 I Street, SW), Upshur (4300 Arkansas Ave, NW) and Francis (2435 N Street, NW) pools from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Ed. Note: Reminder from previous years – “All dogs must have a valid DC dog license, issued by DOH, to enter the pool. For more information on how to obtain a dog license, call DOH at (202) 535-232 or go to the DOH Dog License website.”

UPDATE: From the full press release:

“The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will partner with the Department of Health (DOH) to host the Sixth Annual DPR Doggie Day Swim on Saturday, September 6, 2014 from 12 pm to 4 pm at DPR’s Upshur Main & Kiddie Pool (4300 Arkansas Avenue, NW); Francis Pool (25th & N Street, NW); and Randall Pool (South Capitol and I Sts., SW).

With the end of the outdoor swimming season, this annual event provides dogs with a one day opportunity to partake in the pools, enjoy a swim and play fun aquatics games. DOH will be on location to monitor the health and safety of the pets and their owners; to ensure that all dogs have a DC dog license; and to provide outreach and education on animal related issues.

Admission is free, however all dogs must have a valid, DOH-issued DC dog license, to enter the pool. DPR and DOH encourage dog owners to obtain dog licenses prior to Doggie Day Swim. For more information on how to obtain a dog license, call DOH at (202) 535-2323 or go to the DOH Dog License website. Licenses will be issued on site, however dog owners must have all the required documentation (proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations; and proof of spaying/neutering) and fee payment. Only money orders or personal checks are accepted (no credit cards nor cash), made payable to “DC Treasurer.” The cost of the license is $15 for dogs that are spayed/neutered and $50 for non-spayed/neutered dogs.

Attendance on the day of the event will be based on capacity at the time of arrival. During Doggie Day Swim, there will be a capacity limit in terms of the number of dogs allowed in the pool at one time; 75 dogs at Upshur Pool, 75 dogs at Randall pool and 150 dogs at Francis Pool.

To maintain order and to ensure a safe and fun event, dog owners are asked to follow these rules:

All dogs MUST have and wear a valid DC dog license.
Dog handlers must be 16 years of age or older.
Dog handlers cannot swim or enter the pool with their dogs.
Dogs must be sociable and remain leashed while on the pool deck.
All dogs must be current on vaccinations including rabies and distemper.
All dogs must be spayed/neutered.

To volunteer for Doggie Day Swim, please call (202) 535-1952.

Doggie Day Swim will take place rain or shine.”

Summer Flying by! DPR Announces the 2014 Pools and Spray Parks Closure Schedule

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user nici161

From DPR:

“The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) released the Outdoor Aquatic Facilities Closure Schedule for the 2014 summer season. DPR will implement the first phase of Outdoor Pool closures starting on Sunday, August 10, 2014.

All Outdoor Pools will close in waves beginning on Sunday, August 10, 2014. Pools will close for the season at 6 pm on their respective Sundays.

All Children’s Pools will close for the season at 6 pm on Sunday, August 17, 2014.

All Spray Parks will close for the season at 7 pm on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2014. Please note that select spray parks will undergo renovations after September 1.

East Potomac Outdoor Pool will close for the season at 6 pm on Sunday, October 19, 2014.

Below is the comprehensive closure schedule for the 2014 season. Pools are listed by type (Outdoor, Children’s and Spray Park) and then by date. Please call DPR’s Aquatics office at (202) 671-1289 should you have additional questions or need further assistance.

2014 OUTDOOR AND CHILDREN’S POOLS CLOSURE SCHEDULE (more…)

Check Out the Newly Restored Pool at Cardozo opening to the Public in October

By Prince Of Petworth

Cardozo Pool 2

Yesterday we learned that the Swimming Pool at Cardozo high school was completely restored and would open to the public in October. Thanks to DCPS for sending us these awesome photos of how it turned out. An awesome indoor complement to Banneker!

Ed. Note: Thanks to a twitter follower for tweeting us some historical photos of how it used to look.

Cardozo Pool

Swimming Pool at Cardozo high school completely restored, Opens to Public in October

By Prince Of Petworth

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From Council Member Jim Graham:

“We have another solid step forward in progress for Columbia Heights~~~~ something very special has now been finished is about to be used by the public.

And that is the swimming pool at Cardozo high school built in 1915 and shuttered for many years. It has now been completely restored! I recently visited to see the fine work that had been done.

I ask you–how many communities have a 100 year old pool back in service?

If you permit me a brief commercial message – the pool was not part of the planned restoration of Cardozo high school and was to be mothballed until such time as the money was available for rehabilitation.

I’m pleased to say that I was able to locate the million dollars that reversed that decision and made the pool restoration possible with the rest of the high school.

Special word of thanks to Mayor Vincent Gray, Alan Lew our City Administrator and Brian Hanlon the director of the Department of General Services. And of course all the people who worked on this

Community use will begin in October– I’m told– with both early morning and evening swim hours”

Ed. Note: Thanks to a twitter follower for tweeting us some historical photos of how it used to look.

Dear PoPville – New Rule at Public Pools?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

Not sure if any information is out there, but encountered a “new rule” while swimming laps at Francis pool.

While swimming laps today I was told, everyone out of pool for 15 minutes, every hour, new rule. Kids, I can see needing a break, but adults swimming laps. This is like going to the gym and being told to get off a machine or stop using the equipment. Lifeguards were nice,but just sat around for 15 min. Frustrating, burned up a half of lunch swim time.
Emailed DC Parks and Rec, no response.

Any idea where to get more information with this new rule?”

UPDATE: DPR responds:

“Regarding the 15 minute safety break. In a municipal pool setting, 15 minute safety breaks are very standard. They are in place for several reasons. The CDC Healthy Swimming tips recommends this practice in pools that serve a high number of children. During the break, parents take that opportunity to use the restroom which has drastically reduced the amount of water contamination closures. Secondly, our pools often hit capacity and traditionally we see large numbers of guests leave during the break and then we can accommodate more of the public. Third, some of our outdoor pools have small staffs and there needs to be an opportunity for them to check the restrooms, water chemistry, make adjustments, and simply refresh themselves to remain optimal vigilance.

As a lap swimmer myself, I know it would be difficult to get a good workout with these breaks taking place. To remedy that, we have published designated lap swimming times and the safety breaks do not occur. Also our network of indoor pools are available for lap swimming without interruption. The outdoor pools by design are for community use by all. The indoor pools have public hours but also have more availability for other usage such as learn to swim class, self directed fitness and water exercise.

The 15 minute rule has been the policy here at DPR for some time. We are just ensuring it is consistently enforced which I am learning has not always been the case. As I begin to review and revise procedures in the aquatics division, I welcome feedback from the public.”

Rooftop Terrace and Pool opening July 1st after $500k reno at The Embassy Row Hotel in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photos courtesy The Embassy Row Hotel [2015 Massachusetts Avenue, NW]

From a press release:

“The rooftop oasis nestled upon a renowned Dupont Circle hotel is now ready to kick off summer with a big splash. The Embassy Row Hotel, by Destination Hotels & Resorts, announced today that the three-month, $500,000 renovation of The Rooftop is nearly complete and will officially open to the public on Tuesday, July 1. The 4,130-square-foot, open-air roof terrace features a 450-square-foot swimming pool and outdoor lounge area adorned with resort cabanas and lounge seating giving travelers and locals a place to relax and unwind. (more…)

DPR Opens the District’s Spray Parks Starting Today

By Prince Of Petworth

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Ed. Note: I inquired with DPR and pools will open for regular weekday summer hours starting Monday (they have already been opened for weekends.)

From DPR:

“Due to the anticipated heat advisory this week, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will open all spray parks one week early, starting today.

All spray parks will operate during their normal hours of operation from 10 am to 7 pm.

Please see the list of the District’s spray parks below: (more…)

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