DC Outdoor Pool Guide 2016

This weekend is Memorial Day. D.C. pools open this weekend. It’s time to go outside. Whether or not you enjoy things like water and being a never-nude near the water, we have you covered. From what to watch before you head out, what to listen to while you’re submerged, what to read when you’re drying out, what to do while you’re in the water, what to wear for all water-related activities and where to actually find water, we have you covered. Jump in, the water’s fine! Or it’s not because some kid did something bad in the water. Before you jump in the water, make sure other people are in the water. Sometimes disgusting things happen in the water, just ask our old intern…

Pool Playlist by Marcus Dowling

Maybe you’re not swiwsuit ready. That’s OK. We asked BYT Film Editor Alan Zilberman for the five best films and/or television episodes related to pools. Watching actors swim is like swimming, right?

Pool Related Viewing To Get You In The Mood For The Pool

5) The Way Way Back

Remember when you were an awkward kid and your mom’s new boyfriend was more like a bully than a father figure? So do writer/directors Jim Rash and Nat Faxon! Their hero is awkward as hell, one who hates a summer in beach town exile, so it’s a good thing Sam Rockwell is there to serve as lifeguard his boss/mentor/guru.

4) Swimming Pool

A big part of any pool/beach experience is the envy of others. Nothing articulates your pathetically doughy, aged body quite like a sexy young co-ed who seems ambivalent about her sexuality. French auteur François Ozon cannily unearths that anxiety with this slow-burn thriller.

3) The Simpsons “Summer of 4 Ft. 2”

Longtime fans of the ubiquitous Fox cartoon argue over when, exactly, the show started to get bad. No matter whether you think it’s the eighth or ninth season, there’s no denying that 1996 was peak Simpsons, and this episode is one of their best. In it, Lisa gets popular with the beach townies, which makes Bart jealous. Sibling rivalries are a feature of the summer; without school to serve as a barometer of social status, summer affords fresh opportunities to go up or down in esteem.

2) OSS 117: Lost in Rio

The summer beach movie was a minor cultural phenomenon in the 1960s, and this French spy parody captures the mood perfectly. It also gets bonus points for casual anti-antisemitism, hippies canoodling by a beach-side fire, and Lucha libre Nazis.

1) The Sandlot

This is the peak summer pool movie. Having been both a pool rat and a lifeguard, I genuinely understand the delicate dance between these warring factions. Adult swim was my kryptonite, for a while anyway, until I realized it’s actually a formidable weapon. This might be the perfect summer metaphor for what adolescence means.

If you were doing squats while viewing you should be water ready. It’s important to know what to do in the water. You should swim laps in the water. BYT’s biggest swimmer (at least in the office) is Svetlana. Here are Svetlana’s tips for doing laps.

7 Very Important Rules For Lap Swimming

1. Don’t swallow the water.

2. Be cognizant of what’s going on around you (much like you would on the street). This includes but is not necessarily limited to knowing these facts:

• the shallower end lane is for slow swimmers
• if there are two people in the lane – you can divvy up the lane in half
• if there are more than two people in the lane, you can all circle swim and do so counterclockwise
• if you are approaching someone and want to pass them, tapping them on the foot is acceptable. Grabbing their ass, splashing them, crowding them without warning etc- NOT ACCEPTABLE.
• don’t dive into lanes with other swimmers in them – sure your dive form is beautiful but you’re also a dick and you’re scaring people who are under water and have no clue what’s happening

3. Don’t swallow the water.

4. No dillydallying – it is OK if you are slow, it is OK if you are old, everything is OK – but if you are in a lap lane, YOU HAVE TO KEEP MOVING. Commit to the lane.

5. Don’t swallow the water.

6. Don’t pee or poop or throw Babe Ruth candy bars in the water either. This is not Caddyshack. We all wish it was, but sadly, it isn’t.

7. But seriously, just don’t swallow the water.

Though the point of going to the pool is to get in the water, the point of going to the pool isn’t really about the water. It doesn’t actually matter if you enter the place with the water. What matters is what you read while lying down on a towel near the pool. Here are five summer book picks from Svetlana and Brandon Wetherbee.

Poolside Reading

Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia

As we all know, one of my favorite genres to consume by the water is a thriller. And this Shining-meets-Glee newcomer seems to have all the ingredients for you to just dive into it and never dive out. The fact that the captive hotel setting and a classical music backdrop adds an additional layer of Agatha Christie deliciousness to it only helps. From the Booklist review: “Twelve-year-old Minnie Graves is not happy. Not only is she forced to be a bridesmaid at her big sister’s wedding but also her feet hurt and her dress itches. But there’s worse to come. Before the day is out, she will witness a murder-suicide. Flash-forward 15 years to the anniversary of the fatal incident and Minnie returns to the scene of the crime, the gracious old Bellweather Hotel. It’s a special weekend: the annual statewide music ­conference is ­being held there, which has brought teen twins Rabbit (real name Bert) and Alice Hatmaker to participate in the event. Also present is the eccentric Scottish conductor Fisher Brodie and the truly vile Viola Fabian, who is heading the conference. Before you can say plot point, Viola’s daughter, Jill, has vanished—after apparently committing suicide (it’s complicated). Whodunit? Well, it could be any of the above or perhaps the twins’ chaperone, Natalie Wilson, or even Harold Hastings, the hotel’s elderly concierge.” -SL

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittermore
ANOTHER THRILLER. Beverly-Whittermore’s novel starts out like something you’ve read before (maybe in Curtis Sittenfield’s Prep?) but ends up being a twisty, turny, guilt-free pleasure cross between A Secret History and ABC’s Revenge (as I type this Donna Tartt is probably turning in her grave). A scholarship kid (Mabel Dagmar, as unremarkable as her name indicates) comes to stay for the summer with the family of her glamorous college roommate (Genevra “Ev” Winslow, as willowy and petulent as her name indicates) and finds herself entangled in a web of family secrets and skeletons, each more scandalous and scary than the next. Unputdownable. -SL

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull, Amy Wallace

This book is about how Pixar became Pixar. It doesn’t have the word Pixar in the title because there’s a silhouette of Buzz Lightyear conducting an orchestra on the cover. If you’re going to read one self-help/management/inspirational book in 2014, I recommend this. Catmull doesn’t have the overpowering personality of a Steve Jobs but he worked with him for multiple years. Catmull doesn’t have the visionary prowess of George Lucas but he worked with him for multiple years. Catmull doesn’t come from Disney but he’s been working with Disney for years. It’s not a memoir, it’s a book that can be read as an interesting history lesson or a way to make something great with a wide array of varied individuals. -BW

Inside The Dream Palace by Sherill Tippins

The Chelsea Hotel is one of those seemingly magical places where rock stars meet once and make art from a memorable night, painters are inspired to make avant garde masterpieces, writers write their masterpieces and junkies are everywhere. It was kinda once that. The under-construction, closed/not closed building has a storied history and author Sherill Tippins has done a damn fine job cataloging the 100+ reasons it’s still important 100+ years after it was build. Great for the history/heroin buff. In fact, it’s possible to care less about the 60s ad 70s drug lore and still really like this book. -BW

One More Thing by BJ Novak

Very funny. Very smart. Very everything you want your imaginary summer boyfriend to be. In book form. The story about watching shows in heaven is mandatory reading for any BYT reader. -SL

One must at least attempt to wear swimwear near people swimming. District StyleFile columnist Marissa Rubenstein has strong opinions on what you should be wearing poolside this summer. 

ALSO please please please remember to cover up. Maaji makes great cover-ups. Wear sunscreen. Do it. 

3 Suits For Women

Okay, let me preface this by saying I have not actually BOUGHT a bikini in years. As a melanoma survivor, I have essentially refused to spend money on something that will NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY (but actually). However, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been plenty of swimsuits I’ve been obsessed with, also the bikini industry seems to be blowing up with cool (and cheap!) brands. Here are the swimsuits that will make your pool-side lounging as Instagram perfect as possible! Just remember to wear sunscreen. Bring a cover-up. Re-apply every two hours. You do. not. want. Melanoma.  Seriously. Be careful before it’s too late.
This is what I look like during the summer. Except even more covered-up, this lady’s sandals and exposed arms is giving me a slight panic attack. You do not want to have to shop at Coolibar (UPF 50+ baby!)

ANYWAYS! These are the bikinis you should buy! I am just very serious about that sunscreen.

Bikini Lab – ‘Stars & Stripes’ – $60
Because America. Also doubles as an outfit to wear to our BYT & NMAH We the Party People! After Hours

Tavik – ‘Jessi’ Triangle Bikini – $84
Everyone should have a classic white bikini right? And CUTOUTS are everything this year. Everything.

Maaji – Cyan Contour Bikini – Check local retailers for $$
Maaji is KILLING IT! When I say I saved the best for last I am not lying. I want all of their suits. I am buying one right now.

Seriously though. Wear sunscreen.

3 Suits For Men

So I feel uniquely qualified to be making men’s swimsuit recommendations SOLELY based on the fact that all my ex-boyfriends still wear the boardshorts I got them (I see this in photos all the time. LOOKING AT YOU JUSTIN*).
*Not his real name. Probably.
Anyways, if I were to buy a boy a pair of boardshorts this year- this is what I would get them.

Tavik – Rico Boardshorts – $59.00
Manly color-blocking!

Hurley – Phantom Julian Boardshorts – $38.98
Okay first of all, why are men’s swimsuits so much cheaper than women’s? This is ridiculously unfair. But also I like these because I like to picture pro-surfer Julian Wilson wearing them. Helloooo Julian Wilson.

1901 – Fidalgo Swim Trunks – $23.70
For the MAN in your life who doesn’t wear boardshorts, he wears SWIM TRUNKS! He is also probably wearing these on a yacht. These belong on a yacht.

For reals though. Wear that sunscreen. Re-apply every two hours. Just do it.

How an intern got hired and stopped BYT from doing pool parties ever again by Brandon Weight

To all incoming D.C. interns: suffer a 500 cc blood loss, an eight gin and-tonic and two Coronarita™ induced stupor, and lung problems from smoking half a pack of Camel™ menthols in a pool before the lifeguard says anything, all in front of your company’s founders, you will get a job. And they will never throw a pool party again.

During preemptive job interview, I proceeded after four drinks to exit the pool with an average dick length scar. After eight drinks, I got caught ashing in the deep end complaining about America’s lack of freedom on the Fourth of July. After nine drinks, I uptalked a fellow intern to brunch and/or drinks? Worst of all, after ten drinks, I added a tilt-shift blur to an Instagram.

Now I have a girlfriend and a salaried position.

Go full H.A.G.S. like your high school yearbooks still demand. Hit up a happy hour before you drop by any of these pools. Avoid the diving boards, food, and your dignity. Bring your résumé, laminated if possible.

ACTUAL POOL INFORMATION THAT IS VERY USEFUL

DC POOLS Dates: Opens on May 24 for weekends. Fully open on June 23. Fees: $3 – $7

Anacostia

1800 Anacostia Drive SE, Washington D.C. 20020

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• Lap Swim: Tuesday – Thursday 6:00am – 9:00am

Banneker 

2500 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20001

• Monday – Wednesday, Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• Lap Swim: Monday – Wednesday, Friday 8:00am – 10:00am

Benning Park

5100 Southern Avenue SE, Washington D.C. 20019

• Monday – Wednesday, Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Douglass

1921 Frederick Douglass Ct. SE, Washington D.C. 20020

• Monday – Tuesday, Thursday-Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

East Potomac

972 Ohio Drive, SW, Washington D.C. 20024

• Monday – Tuesday, Thursday-Friday 1:00pm – 7:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Fort Dupont

830 Ridge Road SE, Washington D.C. 20019

• Monday, Wednesday- Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Fort Stanton

1800 Erie St SE, Washington D.C. 20020

• Monday-Wednesday, Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Francis

2435 N Street NW, Washington D.C. 20037

• Monday, Wednesday-Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Harry Thomas Sr. 

1743 Lincoln Road NE, Washington D.C. 20002

• Monday, Wednesday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Jelleff Recreation Center

3265 S Street NW, Washington D.C. 20007

• Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Kelly Miller

4900 Brooks St NE, Washington D.C. 20019

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Langdon Park

2860 Mills Avenue NE, Washington D.C. 20018

• Monday – Wednesday, Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Oxon Run

501 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington D.C. 20032

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Randall

2860 Mills Avenue NE, Washington D.C. 20018

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Rosedale

1701 Gales Street NE, Washington D.C. 20002

• Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• Lap Swim: Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday 8:00am – 10:00am
• Slide: 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Theodore Hagan 

3201 Fort Lincoln Drive NE, Washington D.C. 20018

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Upshur

4300 Arkansas Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20011

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Volta Park

1555 34th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20007

• Tuesday – Friday 1:00pm – 8:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm

MONTGOMERY COUNTY POOLS

Rockville Swim and Aquatic Center

355 Martins Lane, Rockville, MD 20850

• Saturday and Sundays until 6/12: 12:00-9:00 pm
• Monday-Friday until 6/12:  7:30 – 8:20 am 12:00 – 2:00 pm 6:00 – 8:00 pm (Fitness Pool Only)

Fees: $4.80 – $7

Bethesda Swimming Pool

Little Falls Parkway and Hillandale Road, Bethesda, MD 20815

• Weekends and Memorial Day from May 24 – June 13: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• June 14 – August 17: Weekdays 1:00pm – 8:00pm, Weekends 12:00pm – 8:00pm, Closes at 6:00pm on July 4th
• August 18 – August 22: 1:00pm – 7:00pm
• Weekends and Labor Day from August 18 – September 1: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Fees: $4.50 – $8

Wheaton – Glenmont Outdoor Pool

12621 Dalewood Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20906

• Weekends and Memorial Day from May 24 – June 13: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• June 14 – August 17: Weekdays 1:00pm – 8:00pm, Weekends 12:00pm – 8:00pm, Closes at 6:00pm on July 4th
• August 18 – August 22: 1:00pm – 7:00pm
• Weekends and Labor Day from August 18 – September 1: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Fees: $4.50 – $8

Long Branch Swimming Pool

8700 Piney Branch Rd, Silver Spring MD, 20901

• Weekends and Memorial Day from May 24 – June 13: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• June 14 – August 17: Weekdays 1:00pm – 8:00pm, Weekends 12:00pm – 8:00pm, Closes at 6:00pm on July 4th
• August 18 – August 25: Weekdays 1:00pm – 7:00pm, Weekends 12:00pm – 6:00pm, Closed on Fridays

Fees: $4.50 – $8

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Ellen E. Linson Splash Park

5211 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740

• Projected to open on June 14
• Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• Weekends 12:00pm – 7:00pm

Fees: $4 – $6

Hamilton Splash Park

3901 Hamilton Street Hyattsville, MD 20781 Hours:

• Weekends only from May 24 – June 15: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
• June 15 – August 22: Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00pm – 6:00pm, Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday 12:00pm – 7:00pm
• Weekends only from August 23 – September 1: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
• Closes at 4:00pm on July 4th
• Closed on June 7

Fees: $4 – $5

J. Franklyn Bourne Memorial Pool

6500 Calmos Street (Dateleaf Ave), Seat Pleasant, MD 20743

• Weekends only from May 24 – June 14: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
• June 15 – August 22: Mondays – Thursdays, Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm – 5:00pm, Friday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
• Weekends only from August 23 – September 1: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Fees: $4 – $5

ARLINGTON COUNTY

Ocean Dunes

6060 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205

• Memorial Weekend: 11:00am – 7:00pm
• May 27 – June 17: Fridays 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Weekends 11:00am – 7:00pm
• June 18 – August 17: 11:00am – 7:00pm
• July 4th: 11:00am – 6:00pm
• August 18 – August 29: Monday – Friday 11:00am – 6:00pm, Weekends 11:00am – 7:00pm
• August 30 – September 1: 11:00am – 7:00pm

Fees: $5 – $8

ALEXANDRIA

Great Waves Waterpark

4001 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304

• Memorial Weekend: 11:00am – 7:00pm
• May 28 – June 17: Fridays 1:00pm – 7:00pm, Weekends 11:00am – 7:00pm
• June 18 – September 1: 11:00am – 7:00pm
• July 4th: 11:00am – 6:00pm

Fees: $8 – $15.50

Old Town

1609 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314

• Weekends from May 24 – June 22: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
• June 23 – August 31: 12:00pm – 7:00pm, Holidays: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Fees: $2 – $5

Warwick

3301 Landover St., Alexandria, VA 22305

• Weekends from May 24 – June 22: 11:00pm – 6:00pm
• June 23 – August 15: Weekdays 12:00pm – 7:00pm, Weekends 11:00am – 6:00pm
• August 16 – August 31: Weekends 11:00am – 6:00pm
• Holidays: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Fees: $2 – $5