The Public Pools and Water Parks to Cool Off at this Summer

The countdown to the start of summer is in full swing. With the start of pool season right around the corner, it’s time to break out the pool bags, grab your towels, and get the sunscreen ready. As we all anxiously wait a few more weekends for the gates to open, start planning your trips to the region’s best pools and water parks.

Arlington

Wakefield Aquatics Center

Managed by the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Wakefield Aquatics Center features two indoor pools, a wet classroom, and a spectator gallery. The main pool is 25 yards with eight lanes. The second pool serves as a diving and instructional pool with five lanes, up to 25 meters in length. 1325 S. Dinwiddie Rd., Arlington
Features: Two pools; wet classroom; spectator gallery; Colorado Timing System; diving wel

Washington-Liberty Aquatics Center

The Washington-Liberty Aquatics Center is capable of hosting numerous water-related sports and competitions within its 25-meter by 25-yard competition indoor pool, equipped with a moveable bulkhead. There is also a separate instructional pool. 1301 N. Stafford St., Arlington
Features: Competition pool; instructional pool; wet classroom; spectator gallery; Colorado Timing System; scoreboard; locker rooms

Yorktown Aquatics Center

This facility offers an eight-lane, 25-yard competition pool, a fully decoupled diving well, and a separate instructional pool. The facility’s wet classroom can be available for pool party rentals. 5200 Yorktown Blvd., Arlington
Features: Competition pool; instructional pool; wet classrooms; decoupled diving well; spectator gallery; locker rooms; family changing rooms

Ocean Dunes Waterpark at Upton Hill Park

This outdoor pool features a 500 gallon dumping bucket, water slides, waterfalls, a baby pool, and squirters. A concession area is available within the pool enclosure, but there are picnic areas outside the pools area, including a pavilion that can seat up to 80 people. 6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Features: Dumping bucket; water slides; baby pool; squirters; mini-golf; picnic area

Alexandria

Cameron Run Regional Park

Home of Great Waves Waterpark, kids can enjoy the waterslides, the Paradise Play area, and 17,500-square-foot wave pool at Cameron Run Regional Park. Unwind in designated shaded areas and order from nearby food stations. 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria
Features: Wave pool; wading pool; waterslides; splash pad; play area; concession stand

Chinquapin Park Recreation Center

This 25-meter indoor pool offers aquatic sports and fitness classes, as well as access to diving boards. The entire facility is equipped with free Wi-Fi. 3210 King St., Alexandria
Features: Diving well; aquatics, sports and fitness classes; locker rooms
Prices: 4 and under free (resident), $2 (non-resident); $6 (resident), $7 (non-resident) youths (5-17); $9 (resident), $12 (non-resident) adults (18-59); $7.20 (resident), $12 (non-resident) seniors (60+)

Memorial Pool

Due to its smaller size, this outdoor pool can accommodate a maximum of 45 guests at a time and is limited to Alexandria residents 13 and younger, as well as their parents or guardians. It is located in the Charles Houston Rec Center, which offers activities for people of all ages and summer camps for children. 901 Wythe St., Alexandria
Features: Beach entry; swim classes
Prices: Free for ages 4 and under, $3 youths, $4 adults, $3 seniors, $6 non-residents

Old Town Pool

This complex includes a 25-yard pool with a diving well, and a separate 1- to 3-foot deep training pool for children up to 42 inches tall. 1609 Cameron St., Alexandria
Features: Diving well; training pool; picnic area; tot playground
Prices: Free for ages 4 and under, $3 youths, $4 adults, $3 seniors, $6 non-residents

Potomac Yard Interactive Fountain

Thirty-six water jets shoot streams of water and adjust according to wind speed in the area. It is located between the two playgrounds at Potomac Yard Park. 2501 Potomac Ave., Alexandria
Features: Water jets, including 12 laminar jets

Warwick Pool

Warwick Pool is a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, adjacent to the Landover Street playground. 3301 Landover St., Alexandria
Features: Ramp accessibility; bathhouse
Prices: Free for ages 4 and under, $3 youths, $4 adults, $3 seniors, $6 non-residents

Fairfax

Fairfax County Park Authority’s RECenters

The following 10 RECenters offer something for everyone in the family, with aerobics classes for adults to learning to swim and summer camps for the kids. Programs are designed to promote safety, skill development, fitness, social interaction, and fun.
Features: Most aquatic facilities also have saunas, a spa and an outdoor sundeck for visitors to enjoy. RECenters also offer U.S. swim teams, U.S. Masters Swim teams, U.S. Springboard Diving teams, water polo, U.S. Synchronized Swimming, scuba diving, swim lessons, and water aerobics classes. Call your local RECenter for details.
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

Audrey Moore RECenter

A huge mural of an underwater ocean scene stretches the length of an interior wall along the Olympic-sized pool. With three diving boards open on Saturday and Sunday from 1:30-4 p.m., weekends will never be boring. Note: In order for children to use the boards and slide, they must pass an ability test. 8100 Braddock Rd., Annandale
Features: Indoor pool; diving boards
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

Club Run RECenter

With two pools, a leisure pool equipped with a water playground, two water slides (20- and 30-foot), a vortex, lazy river, spa, and a 25-yard-by-25 meter competition pool, this pool is the place for all levels of swimmers. 4630 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly
Features: Indoor pool; water slides; diving boards; baby pool
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

George Washington RECenter

Though a small facility (25-meter pool of 10 lanes), this heated pool prides itself on its aerobic water exercise and deep water exercise programs. 8426 Old Mount Vernon Rd., Alexandria
Features: Indoor pool; diving boards; poolside spa; beach; dry heat sauna; wading area
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

Lee District RECenter

An Olympic-sized pool, outdoor sundeck, spa, and saunas combined makes for a great place for relaxation, fitness and fun. The super slide and three diving boards are open during select hours on weekends, so check the Fairfax County Park Authority website for details. 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria
Features: Indoor pools; slides; diving boards
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool

With two slides and a children’s wading pool, this spot will be the perfect place to cool down on a hot day. Admission is free for county residents. This pool is not open Tuesdays. 12055 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax
Features: Outdoor pool; wading area; slides

Mount Vernon RECenter

With a beach-area entry, gentle water jets, fountains, and tumble buckets, the play area offers a safe space for children. 2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria
Features: Indoor pool; diving board; baby pool
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

Oak Marr RECenter

In addition to its 50-meter pool, Oak Marr offers a full set of diving boards, from 1-meter springboards to a 5-meter board that’s open on weekends, along with an inflatable slide and fun run. The pool also has a diving complex with 1-meter, 3-meter boards, and a 5-meter tower. 3200 Jermantown Rd., Oakton
Features: Indoor pool; diving boards; baby pool
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

Providence RECenter

Along with its 25-by-25-meter heated indoor pool, Providence also provides a wading area, springboard, outdoor sundeck, two spas, and saunas for your swimming pleasure. 7525 Marc Dr., Falls Church
Features: Indoor pool; diving boards
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

South Run RECenter

Two 1-meter diving boards are open on weekends and available to rent for your child’s next birthday party. A wading area is attached to the main pool. 7550 Reservation Dr., Springfield
Features: Indoor pools; diving boards
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

Spring Hill RECenter

This 25-yard-by-25-meter heated indoor pool also includes two diving boards and an outdoor sundeck. The Water Toy and Play Features are available for use on Saturdays and Sundays from 2-4 p.m. 1239 Spring Hill Rd., McLean
Features: Indoor pool; diving board; baby pool
Prices: General admission for adults (19+) is  $10; $6.50 for youth/student (5-18); free for children 4 and under; $6.50 for seniors; $25 for families of up to five.

Burke Centre Pools

All five Burke Centre Pools are outdoors and have baby pools. Some offer diving boards and picnic areas, and the Oaks Pool offers a slide. For specific details, call the numbers provided. Pool hours vary depending on the date and pool location, so check out a full calendar of pool hours and get your membership applications on the Burke Centre website under “pool membership.” Membership is open to both residents and non-residents.
Locations: The Commons Pool, 5701 Roberts Pkwy.; The Landings Pool, 6001 Cove Landing Rd.; The Oaks Pool, 5708 Oak Leather Dr.; The Ponds Pool, 9837 Burke Pond Ln.; The Woods Pool, 10100 Wards Grove Cir.
Prices: Contact directly for pricing

The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole

Geared toward elementary-aged kids, this Western-themed swimming hole has slides, floatables, sprays, and a lazy river. 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
Features: Outdoor pools; slides; baby pool; snack bar

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Outdoor Pools

The goal of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is to enhance the communities of Northern Virginia by helping to build a relationship between people and their environment. So, when heading to the pools at these area locations, also take the time to experience the acres of woodlands and streams as sweet escapes from the city’s hustle and bustle. For passes to all the pools, call 703-352-5900. Day Passes are available only at the individual pool facilities. Please contact the pool facility or visit the park’s website and click the fees page for daily rates.
Hours: Opening May 28, times vary

Atlantis Waterpark

The Atlantis Waterpark is packed with Ancient Greece-themed water fun for the whole family, from a huge play structure with a 1,100-gallon dumping bucket, slides, waterfalls to a main pool, and wading pool with a shell slide for children 6 and under. 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville
Features: Outdoor pool; water slides; baby pool; snack bar

Pirate’s Cove Waterpark

Pirate’s Cove is geared toward the younger swimmers in your family, with a play structure equipped with a dumping bucket, slides, and waterfalls. It includes a sand play area filled with buried treasure. In addition to the water park, Pohick Bay prides itself on being one of the largest, outdoor freeform pools on the East Coast. 6501 Pohick Bay Dr., Lorton
Features: Outdoor pool; slides; diving boards; baby pool; snack bar

Fauquier

Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility

This indoor facility serves as an escape for anyone; it includes a competition pool with lap lanes and a leisure pool with a water slide and a lazy river. 800 Waterloo Rd., Warrenton
Features: Lap lanes; leisure pool; baby pool; lazy river

Larry Weeks Community Pools at Vint Hill

This L-shaped outdoor pool stretching 25 meters is accompanied by a children’s pool equipped with a misting mushroom, squirt turtle, and a frog slide. 4248 Bludau Dr., Warrenton
Features: Leisure pool; children’s pool with slides and toys; snack bar
Price: Ages 2-11, $5.50; ages 12-59, $6,50; ages 60+, $5.50

Fredericksburg

Doris E. Buffet Pool

Fredericksburg’s public pool lies within the 46 acres of Dixon Park. The outdoor pool is 6,623 square feet, filled with 165,000 gallons of water for summertime fun. There is one official lap lane during operating hours, though the pool can accommodate four. 1300 Dixon St., Fredericksburg
Features: Concession stands; zero entry; spray fountains; slide; dump buckets; water step feature

Loudoun

AV Symington Aquatic Center

Part of Ida Lee Park, this pool has something to offer an assortment of age groups be it through its lazy river, slides, lap pool and, of course, dumping buckets. Ida Lee Dr. NW, Leesburg
Features: 25-yard lap pool; two body flumes; slides; squirting animals; dumping buckets
Prices: Residents: 2 and under free, Youths and Seniors $5-$6; Adults $6-$7; After 5 p.m. $4; Non-residents: 2 and under free; Youths and Seniors $8-$9; Adults $9-$10; After 5 p.m. $6

Franklin Park Pool

There’s no shortage of places for little ones to play at this outdoor pool, which features baby slides that resemble animals and a competitive pool too. 17501 Franklin Park Dr., Purcellville
Features: Baby pool slides; competitive pool
Prices: Under 2 free, Youth (2-17) & Seniors (55+) $5.50, Adults (18-54) $6, $3.50 after 6 p.m. for all ages; Family of four summer pass $300, $25 for every additional family member’s summer pass

Ida Lee Park Recreation Center

Even if it’s raining, you can let the kids get their swim fix in at this indoor pool, which offers a 10-lane, 25-yard competition pool, a whirlpool spa and a warmer auxiliary pool. Ida Lee Dr. NW, Leesburg
Features: competition pool; whirlpool spa; auxiliary pool; 1-meter springboard; 15-foot AquaClimb Wall
Prices: Children under two are free. For residents: youth & senior, $4; adult, $5.50. For non-residents: youth & senior, $5.25; adults, $7.50

Lovettsville Community Center Pool

This family-friendly outdoor pool has a separate space for babies and also hosts special events like a dog swim, family night, and cardboard boat regatta. 57 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville
Features: Outdoor competitive pool; baby pool
Pricing: Contact directly

Round Hill Indoor Aquatic Center

If you’re looking for something a little less rowdy than outdoor pools with kid features, consider visiting this 4 1/2-foot deep pool, which has four lanes and is always 82 degrees. 17010 Evening Star Dr., Round Hill
Features: indoor pool with four lap lanes
Prices: Free for children under 2; under 18, $2.50; adult (18-54), $3; senior (55+), $2.50

Volcano Island Waterpark

Kick back, relax under palm trees and tiki canopies, and let the kids rid themselves of some energy as they keep cool splashing around in the play area, swimming in the wading pool, or gliding down two slides. 20015 Volcano Island Dr., Sterling
Features: 500-gallon dumping bucket; two waterslides; wading pool; play place; palm trees; tiki canopies

Prince William

Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center

With both a competition pool and leisure pool, this facility also aims to entertain with its lazy river, slide, and dumping buckets. Look for specific diving board hours on the website. 9100 Freedom Center Blvd., Manassas
Features: Indoor pool; slide; diving board
Prices: Adults (16+), $10; Seniors (60+), $7; Dependent (3-15), $7; Chaperone, $7

Prince William County Park Authority

Four community pools, two indoor pools, and two waterparks make up the Prince William County Park Authority’s water facilities list. The Park Authority stresses the importance of water safety, so check the website for its water safety guide and tips.

Graham Park Pool

3511 Graham Park Rd., Dumfries

Veterans Park Pool & Waterslide

14300 Veterans Dr., Woodbridge
Features: Outdoor pool; slides; diving board; snack bar

Hammill Mill Pool

1721 Carter Ln., Woodbridge
Features: Outdoor pool; slides; snack bar

Birchdale Pool

14730 Birchdale Ave., Dale City
Features: Diving board; floating obstacles

Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center

13065 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge
Features: Whirlpools; 50-meter main pool; leisure pool; dry saunas; outdoor sun deck; diving board; baby pool

Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation City

14300 Minnieville Rd., Dale City
Features: Whirlpool; lap pool; aquatics classes

Splashdown Waterpark

With many waterslides, including two four-story slides, a lazy river, and a beach area for volleyball, this park lends new meaning to fun in the sun. 7500 Ben Lomond Park Dr., Manassas
Features: Outdoor pools; diving board; slides; baby pool; snack bar

Waterworks Waterpark

This water park offers visitors a variety of opportunities for fun, from its waterslides to its sand volleyball court. For the younger crowd, there is a two-level children’s wading pool and a giant climb-on hippo. 5301 Dale Blvd., Woodbridge
Features: Outdoor pools; slides; baby pool; snack bar

Did we miss something? Email: editorial@northernvirginiamag.com.