The District kicked off its outdoor pool season for this year on Saturday, May 29, following Mayor Muriel Bowser‘s opening ceremony a day earlier at the ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Woody Ward Recreation Center in Ward 7.
DC’s public pools and spray parks opening for the first time since 2019 will remain open on Memorial Day weekend through Monday, May 31.
After Memorial Day, outdoor pools will operate on a weekend-only schedule through Sunday, June 27. Beginning Monday, June 28, they will be open six days a week, between 10 am and 6 pm — according to separate summer schedules, which you can check here.
As for DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) spray parks, all are set to operate daily from 10 am – 8 pm after their opening on Saturday.
You ready to #JumpInDC? pic.twitter.com/MSDxu3eOpi
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) May 28, 2021
There are a total of 18 outdoor pools, 11 indoor pools, 33 spray parks and three children’s pools run by DC DPR.
“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,” Mayor Bowser said about the reopening. “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.”
The newly renovated, $11 million Woody Ward Recreation Center also has an outdoor pool, along with 24,000 square-feet of exterior and interior improvements.
Residents will still have to wear face coverings while in indoor areas. Those who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks on pool decks, as well.
DPR is opening the city’s indoor pools at full capacity on June 1.
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