Summer Swimming 2021! – The Complete Guide to Public Pools in the City of Pittsburgh
by Janet Jonus
Splash Around in Town! – Summer Swimming in the City of Pittsburgh
The temperatures are soaring, the kids are out of school, families need a fun place to cool off, and everyone wants to get out of the house after year at home!
The City of Pittsburgh has eight seasonal pools open to the public this year. (Normally the City has eighteen pools open to the public.) Citiparks is limited by staffing, they need qualifies lifeguards to open the pools. If you know of anyone who is interested in becoming a lifeguard, they should contact: https://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/lifeguard-info. Citiparks plans on opening more pools if they can hire more lifeguards. Pools are opening on June 14th.
The Pools open on June 14th are:
| Ammon 2217 Bedford Avenue Hill District 15219 | 412-255-2627 |
| Highland 151 Lake Drive Highland Park 15206 | 412-665-3637 |
| Homewood 540 N. Lang Avenue Homewood 15208 | 412-244-4186 |
| Schenley 1 Overlook Drive Schenley Park 15213 | 412-422-4266 |
| Ormsby 79 S. 22nd Street South Side 15203 | 412-488-8377 |
| Phillips 201 Parkfield Street Carrick 15210 | 412-885-7498 |
| Ream 321 Merrimac Street Mt. Washington 15211 | 412-488-8312 |
| Sue Murray 301 Cedar Avenue North Side 15212 | 412-323-7914 |
Pool Passes
Pool passes are available for everyone. Passes can be purchased starting June 14 at open Citiparks pools. Passes gain you entry into all open Citiparks Pools and the Oliver Bath House. City of Pittsburgh residents must provide proof of residency. Passes are:
- Family of Four – $60
- Adult (16 and older) – $30
- Senior (60+) – $20
- Youth (3-15) – $15
- Children under two are free
There are discounts for City of Pittsburgh residents who are military (passes are free) and for residents who receive government assistance. Proof is required to qualify for the discounts. Kids up to age 15 can swim for free with a Recreation Center Pass with free registration.
Non-City Residents can buy passes for $45 per person. There are no discounts.
You can also pay to swim for the day at any open Citiparks pool. Youth (3-15) are $3.00 and adults (16+) are $5.00. Children two and under are free.
The City of Pittsburgh Citiparks pools open on June 14th and stay open through Labor Day. Citiparks offers numerous programs for kids and adults at their pools. Some of these programs fill up quickly so register early. Registration is at the Pool of your choice.
Citiparks will be offering a limited number of programs this year. As of this writing, program availability has not been finalized. We will update this article when more information becomes available.
These programs were offered in past years.
Programs for Kids include the Swim Team for ages 6-18. Pool Swim Teams compete against each other throughout the summer all leading up to the Championship Swim Meet in August. Participation is free and you do not need a pool pass to participate.
Water Carnivals organized by the individual pools are held throughout the summer. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh provides games and prizes. Check with your neighborhood pool for more information.
Swim Lessons are offered at the pools. Infant Aquatic Programs for children 18 months through 2 years old. Parent or Guardian participation is required. The class teaches water familiarity but it does not teach the infant how to swim.
Preschool Aquatic Programs for 3-5 year olds. Parent or Guardian participation is required. The class teaches water familiarity and water basics but it does not teach the child how to swim.
Children’s Learn to Swim classes are for kids ages 6-15 years old. All levels of swimmers are welcome. There are three, 2-week sessions.
Citiparks also offers programs for teens and adults.
Adult Swim Classes for swimmers 16 and older.
Water Aerobics Classes are held for teens and adults 16+.
There are Adult Lap Swim sessions for swimmers 16 and older.
You have to have a swim pool pass to sign up for all programs except the Free (Session 1) Learn to Swim and the Swim Team.
The Rules
Citiparks does have rules. Pool pass tags must be worn at all times. Bathing suits must be worn in the pool and on the pool deck. There is no running, dunking, horseplay, or profanity. Smoking is prohibited. Diving is allowed only in marked areas. Food and beverages must be consumed in designated areas only. Swimmers must shower before entering the pool. Swimmers under 6 years old must be with an adult 16 and older. Inflatable flotation devices are not allowed. All other flotation devices must be approved by the head lifeguard. Swimmers with medical conditions should inform the lifeguard. All rules must be followed including those dictated by the lifeguards. Strollers and lounge chairs must be kept 10 feet from the pool at all times. Citiparks is not responsible for lost, stolen, and damaged property.
The Basics
Everyone can have fun at a pool. FamilyFunPittsburgh recommends Summertime Swimming for Babies & Toddlers, Preschoolers, Kids, Tweens, and Teens. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Don’t forget to take plenty of water and sunscreen as well as towels and a change of clothing. Some kids can stay in the water all day and others can only make it a few hours. The sun is at its strongest from 1200PM-300PM. Everyone can get sunburned even on cloudy days so don’t forget the sunscreen.
Children under 15 MUST be accompanied by an adult 16 or older.
Complete List of Citiparks Pools (This list will be updated when more pools open.)
Citiparks Pools – City and East
| Ammon – Opening June 14, 2021 2217 Bedford Avenue Hill District 15219 | 412-255-2627 |
| Bloomfield – Not Opening 408 Ella Street Bloomfield 15224 | 412-622-6956 |
| Highland – Opening June 14, 2021 151 Lake Drive Highland Park 15206 | 412-665-3637 |
| Homewood – Opening June 14, 2021 540 N. Lang Avenue Homewood 15208 | 412-244-4186 |
| Magee – Not Opening 745 Greenfield Avenue Greenfield 15217 | 412-422-4265 |
| Schenley – Opening June 14, 2021 1 Overlook Drive Schenley Park 15213 | 412-422-4266 |
| West Penn – Not Opening 450 30th Street Polish Hill 15219 | 412-622-6908 |
Citiparks Pools – South and West
| Banksville – Not Opening 1461 Crane Avenue Banksville 15220 | 412-571-3231 |
| McBride – Not Opening 1785 McBride Street Lincoln Place 15207 | 412-476-1311 |
| Moore – Not Opening 1801 Pioneer Avenue Brookline 15226 | 412-571-3223 |
| Ormsby – Opening June 14, 2021 79 S. 22nd Street South Side 15203 | 412-488-8377 |
| Phillips – Opening June 14, 2021 201 Parkfield Street Carrick 15210 | 412-885-7498 |
| Ream – Opening June 14, 2021 321 Merrimac Street Mt. Washington 15211 | 412-488-8312 |
| Sheraden – Not Opening 1071 Adon Street Sheraden, 15204 | 412-777-5011 |
| Westwood – Not Opening 100 Guyland Street Westwood 15205 | 412-937-3061 |
Citparks Pools – City North
| Jack Stack – Not Opening 600 Brighton Woods Road Brighton Heights 15212 | 412-766-4577 |
| Riverview – Not Opening 400 Riverview Avenue Perry North 15214 | 412-323-7223 |
| Sue Murray – Opening June 14, 2021 301 Cedar Avenue North Side 15212 | 412-323-7914 |
For more information:
http://pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/swimming-outdoor
