image uploaded to flickr.com by DC DPR
Memorial Day is the official unofficial start of summer, and based on the temperatures this past holiday weekend we may be in for quite a hot and humid season. Fortunately there are aquatic ways to beat the heat right here on the Hill. Whether you’re looking for water slides or working on your tan poolside, you’ve got options in the neighborhood.
Two basic types of watery diversions can be found on the Hill. There are shallow, small public children’s pools like those at Watkins Recreation Center (420 12th Street SE) and Lincoln Capper (555 L Street SE). Each will have a lifeguard on duty and a small number of chairs in addition toilet facilities. The other option is the almost-water-park at the newly opened Rosedale Recreation Center. Rosedale offers water slides, a small lap pool, a zero-entry ramp with playful fountains, a shallow toddler pool, and a large floating alligator to ride and wrestle (note: not a live alligator, that would make pool time far more adventurous). A small number of lounge chairs and umbrellas are available, but get there early to snag one. Another reason to get to Rosedale early – the staff will prevent entry once the pool area reaches capacity. (One Memorial Day the pool complex reached capacity around 2:00 p.m., and the “one in, one out” policy was enacted.)
The Randall Pool just off South Capitol Street is somewhere in between the kids pool and the water park, large enough to swim but no bells and whistles. Or floating replicated reptiles.
Pools operated by DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are free for District residents; bring your photo ID for entry and make sure all minors are accompanied by an adult. Hours are a little tricky (and limited). Outdoor pools are open Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 6:00 p.m. until June 17. After June 17 the pools will each be open six days a week, though the closed day varies by location. When in doubt, check the DPR website before you leave the house.
Of course, we do have a year-round indoor pool facility right next to Eastern Market. The William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center offers a large lap pool, a wading pool, and locker rooms, all of which is sheltered from heat, humidity, and rainstorms. The Rumsey Center is open daily, but hours vary by day of the week. If you are looking for a place to get your swim in before or after work, this location may be your best option.
The Hill offers at least one pool-for-pay option as well at the Capitol Skyline Hotel. While this facility does not have lots of slides or waves or alligators, it is a simple, clean pool with a retro feel, with food and drink service adjacent to the deck. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are more plentiful at Skyline than at the public pools, and if you purchase a weekday family membership you’ll find a fairly quiet, uncrowded facility perfect for little-kid swim time. Weekend membership can be purchased as well, and the vibe on Saturdays and Sundays changes completely with music and free-flowing beverages (for purchase).
There are lots of options for working on your tan or cooling off this summer on the Hill, from tot pools to water slides. Even alligators.