Mayor Bowser Dives In To Open Pool Season
By • May 27, 2025 0 415
Q: How do you know when it is officially summer in Washington, D.C.?
A: When Mayor Muriel Bowser dives into one of the district’s swimming pools at the annual Department of Parks and Recreation’s “Jump In” party and announces that the pools and spray parks are open for the season, and summer has officially begun!
On Friday, May 23, Mayor Bowser jumped into the Langdon Park Pool and announced that the District’s 21 park pools and 37 spray parks would be open to D.C. residents for free this summer, beginning the next day, Saturday, May 24.
“We’re proud to offer safe, free, and fun spaces for everyone to stay active, connect with neighbors, and beat the heat,” Bowser said as she toweled off
Her other big announcement? That D.C. had been named the number one ranking as the best park system in the country for the fifth consecutive year by the United States by the Trust for Public Land. “We’re showing the nation what it looks like when you invest in world-class public spaces,” Bowser said.
Four DPR trained lifeguards greeted swimmers at Jelleff Recreation Center’s outdoor pool on 3265 S St. NW over Memorial Day weekend. No one had been quite sure if that pool would be open in 2025 with changing schedules for its planned partial demolition and restructuring. However, all three Georgetown pools, Jelleff, Volta Park at 1555 34th St. NW and Francis Park at 2435 N St. NW, will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every weekend until June 22. From June 22 through most of August, they will be open every day from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
To check for real-time updates about emergency closures of outdoor pools and splash pools, click here. The site will also report in real-time when pools have reached capacity—at which time a one-in, one-out rule is implemented according to DPR Director Thennie Freeman. “We are happy to offer vibrant spaces where families can make memorable moments and enjoy all the joy that summer has to offer,” she added.
Pools are also free to non D.C.-residents who sign up for a season pass at one of the pools. Almost all pools are staffed by D.C. Youth Job Corps participants.
