District pools and splash parks will remain closed all summer due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the District announced August 5.
Pools and splash parks will remain closed until further notice. The pools will undergo the winterization process which includes draining and covering.
“We understand residents look forward to escaping the summer heat at our pools. Out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with the District’s public health experts, we have decided to prioritize the health and safety of residents,” said DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Delano Hunter.
DPR operates 21 outdoor pools throughout the District, which have been closed since a public health emergency was issued on March 16. On June 17, when Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that DC would enter Phase 2 five days later, she said that pools would re-open in mid-July for structured activities, such as swim lessons and lap swimming. As of Aug. 5, the swim lane reservation system on the DC DPR website still indicated an update on aquatic facilities was expected Aug. 1.
CLARITY RE: PHASE 2 REOPENING OF @DCDPR POOLS: They will NOT open on Monday, June 22 if that is the first day of Phase 2. @MayorBowser said that would take until mid-July. Pools would only re-open for structured activities, like swimming lessons and lap swimming
— HillRag DC (@HillRagDC) June 17, 2020
All DPR parks, athletic fields and courts, playgrounds and other outdoor spaces are open to the public with social distancing and precautionary measures in place. Organized and high-contact sporting activities, such as football, wrestling, and boxing are prohibited.
DPR is accepting permit applications for outdoor amenities to accommodate groups of no more than 50 persons. To apply and pay for a permit today, click here.
Find a full listing of DC DPR aquatic facilities here. To find out more about DPR’s offerings, visit DPR.DC.gov.
For more information on the District’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19) visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
