Family Friendly Swimming Pools Near Me
Columbia MD is home to some of the best family-friendly pools in the area with all sorts of fun for all ages. With a wide range of membership options, there’s sure to be something for everyone
In fact, many of the attractions at CA are also available for free or at least at a discount for members and their guests. Columbia Association’s most notable is its collection of 23 outdoor pools, two of which have mini-water parks. The others are the Columbia Athletic Club and Columbia Gym. The CA also operates a KidsSpace program, which offers recreational programs for children 6 weeks to 13 years
Columbia Association offers many family-friendly activities, from lakefront festivals and live music to public skating and a high-tech gym. But perhaps the most popular is the outdoor pools, which are open throughout the summer.
Swansfield Waterpark
If you’re looking for a splashy, family-friendly swimming experience in Columbia, MD, Swansfield Waterpark might be the place to go. The complex offers a six-lane, heated pool with a spray ground and a huge slide. The facility also features a basketball court and tot lot, shaded structures, a family changing room, and a bathhouse.
The waterpark, which was converted from a regular community pool into an aquatic complex, saw a substantial jump in attendance during the renovation. For the first time, it became the most used outdoor swimming pool in Columbia Association’s 23-member district.
This award-winning facility was the first of its kind in the county and features a number of high-end amenities, including a water slide with a 3-story vertical height. It also has a splash pad and a baby pool. The building also has solar-heated showers and a large family changing room.
Aside from the swimming pool itself, Swansfield has several other fun and educational activities to keep kids and their parents busy. The best part? These programs are free of charge.
Thunder Hill Pool
Thunder Hill Pool is a great place for kids to play, exercise and enjoy the summer sun. It has a six-lane main pool, volleyball court, and a tot lot adjacent to it, as well as many shaded areas.
The swimming pool is also home to the Columbia Neighborhood Swim League (CNSL), where swimmers meet each summer to compete for the team assigned to their elementary school. It offers a variety of activities for families, including swimming, sand volleyball, and water aerobics.
It has a zero slope entry, splash pad, and water feature; a deep diving well; and six 25-yard lap lanes. Additionally, the facility has a baby pool and whirlpool.
To ensure the safety of all swimmers, the aquatics staff monitors the pools and makes decisions on when to close them due to weather conditions. If heavy rain, lightning, or severe storms occur, the facility and surrounding area will be cleared of patrons.
A master plan for the pool programs was developed by Columbia Association a few years ago, and improvements to the bathhouses and pools at Thunder Hill, River Hill, Bryant Woods, and Dickinson were completed as part of the plan.
The bathhouse renovations at these three facilities included coping stones around the edge of the main pool, tile, a skimmer and an ADA bathhouse. A new ADA wading pool at River Hill also features two water slides, which are themed to the River Hill swim teams’ mascots.
Membership Has Its Advantages!
Members can get access to our gyms, tennis courts, golf courses, pools, ice skating rink, pickleball courts, and much more! Use the form below to have a member advocate get in touch with you about becoming a member.
River Hill Pool
River Hill Pool offers a number of fun activities and amenities for kids. It features a main activity pool, a sandy beach pool and a children’s pool with a graded entrance and sprinkler/spray areas.
The main activity pool is huge and surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas, which are a great way to stay cool. There are also 2 horseshoe-shaped hot pools that connect directly with the main pool, which is a nice place to sit and watch all of the activity going on in other parts of the pool.
There is a large splash fort in this pool that really needs to be seen to believe, but it’s a lot of fun. The central bucket fills with water and tips over periodically spraying massive amounts of water onto the kids below. There are spray guns on multiple levels as well.
It’s important to remember to pack sunscreen and a hat when you go, especially if you plan on spending any time in the sun. It can be a bit crowded, but you can always grab a spot in the shade or around the kids pool if you want to avoid the glaring sun.
River Hill Pool has undergone some upgrades in recent months, including ADA-compliant parking and bathrooms, handicapped lifts, upgraded lighting and a new diving board. These changes will make the swimming experience even more enjoyable for families who visit this popular pool.
Locust Park Pool
The pool at Locust Park is one of the many amenities that make living in this posh community in the heart of Center City fun and relaxing. Located 45 stories above Rittenhouse Square, this upscale neighborhood has a variety of modern finishes and recently renovated residences, along with a rooftop pool and lounge that puts the city’s finest in your backyard.
The park’s other opulent features include an eight-lane, heated pool that has the capacity to hold large groups of swimmers. There are also expansive and meticulously maintained locker rooms and changing areas for guests to enjoy.
In addition to the pool, the community also boasts a 1.4-mile nature trail that offers a glimpse of the natural wonders that surround it. The property’s other amenities include a tennis court, picnic area, and playground.
Locust Park also has an ADA-accessible sand beach and swimming area on the lake that is sure to draw family crowds to this gorgeous spot for the day. The area is open from late May through mid-September, 8:00 A.M. to sunset, and a few, ADA-only parking spots are available nearby.
A small pond is also home to a water basketball hoop that has been called the pool’s most notable feature. This is a great way for kids to exercise their imagination and get moving. The pool also has a splash pad for the littlest ones.
Hopewell Mini Waterpark
Located in Columbia MD, this park is a great place for kids to cool off and have fun. There is an eight-lane pool and a splash pad, plus other amenities that are sure to appeal to the family.
This mini waterpark isn’t as large as other parks in the area, but it is impressive in its own right. It has an 18-foot slide, a mini squirt pad, and other features that are sure to be a hit with the kids.
One of the best things about Hopewell Mini Waterpark is that it is free for residents to use during normal business hours. This is especially helpful for families who may not have the time or resources to drive to a local park or pool to have fun with the kids.
The other good news about the water park is that it is a short walk from many of the other attractions and facilities in the Columbia community. This includes the Columbia Association, which manages a number of facilities and activities that are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Dickinson Pool
If you are looking for a fun pool to go to during the summer, Dickinson Pool is a great option. Dickinson Pool is a beautiful six-lane pool with twin waterslides at the deep end to “double the fun”.
This beach entry pool has several fountains and shade structures to keep everyone cool. This ADA-accessible pool (which includes a lift) also has a fun sand volleyball court for added fun! With its mushroom fountain and bubble fountain in the baby pool, Dickinson Pool is a great option to bring your toddlers.
You can find more about these award-winning Columbia Association pools on their website. You can learn about its features, admission prices, outdoor pool statuses, classes and programs, and when food trucks might pop by a particular facility. The site even has a nifty interactive map of the city’s pools. The site is also a great resource for finding the latest news and information about Columbia, Maryland.