Summer Swimming 2019! – Swimming Pools South of Pittsburgh
by Janet Jonus phot courtesy of Pexel by Vince Rvd
Cool Off in the South!
The FamilyFunPittsburgh Guide to Pools South of Pittsburgh.
If you live south of Pittsburgh, you are in luck as there are a lot of places to swim in the South HIlls! There are pools spread throughout the area and many of them have added features like slides, fountains, waves, even a rock climbing wall.
Note: Many pools are cash only for admission and concession stands.
The Dormont Pool
The Dormont Pool is a South Hills staple. The large pool located in the heart of Dormont has zero depth entry on two sides, a slide, a waterfall mushroom, and a Ducky Kiddie slide. The Pool surface was recently upgraded. Flotation devices approved by the lifeguards can be used in the pool. There is a snack bar and free parking. (The Parking can fill up early on busier days.) The Pool is surrounded by the greenery of the Dormont Park. There is a party pavilion available for rentals for both residents and non-residents.
The Dormont Pool offers swim classes from babies through adults. The Water Exploration Class is for toddlers ages 1-2 and an adult. It is not a swimming class. It is a water familiarity class. There are two classes for Preschoolers ages 3-5. One is for the child and an adult. The other is a child-only class. Both classes teach water safety and familiarity. Children from 5-7 can take the beginners swim class where basic strokes are taught. Six to eight year olds can also take an advanced beginners class that teaches more advanced strokes, extended distances, and new techniques. Seven to nine year old children have an intermediate class that teaches advanced strokes and techniques. The advanced class for 8-10 year olds teaches advanced strokes and safety. There also is a class for kids 15+ to learn to swim. The Pool also offers a Pool Paddle Class for ages 15+. The class combines elements of stand-up paddle with yoga and fitness training. There is a fee for classes.
The Dormont Pool is open daily June 8th through August 19th from 1200PM-800PM. (Fourth of July hours are 1200PM-600PM.) From May 25th through June 7th the Pool is open Weekdays from 400-800PM and Weekends from 1200-800PM. The Pool is open from 400PM-800PM August 19th through Labor Day on Weekdays and 1200-800PM on Weekends. The Pool is open 1200PM-300PM on Labor Day. Pool hours may vary due to weather.
Junior admission (ages 3-18) for residents is $4.00 and $5.00 for non-residents. Rates for adults 19+ are $6.00 for residents and $7.00 for non-residents. Seniors 65+ pay $4.00 for residents and $5.00 for non-residents. The evening rate (after 600PM) for everyone is $2.50. Children 2 and under are free.
Season passes are available for residents and non-residents. Resident passes are $60.00 for Juniors, $80.00 for adults, and Free for Resident Seniors. The resident family pass is $150.00. Non-resident passes are $130.00 for a single person and $250.00 for a Family. Families are two adults and up to three children with $10.00 for each additional child for resident and non-resident passes.
The Dormont Pool requires an adult to be within arm’s reach of any child under 52 inches. The Pool provides lifejackets. All rules must be followed. No glass containers are allowed in the Pool area. No alcohol is allowed. Proper swim attire must be worn. Non-potty trained children must wear a swim diaper.
The Dormont Pool is located at 1801 Dormont Avenue, Dormont, PA 15216. The Township number is 412-561-8900. The website is here:
https://jeffellismanagement.com/aquatic-facilities/pennsylvania/borough-of-dormont , here:
http://boro.dormont.pa.us/dormont-pool/
The South Park Wave Pool
South Park has a large wave pool. Nestled in the hills of South Park, the South Park Wave Pool Is a fun day out for the family. The Pool is zero entry. Waves run in cycles with time in between the cycles when the water is calm. The large Pool is surrounded by artificial turf “grass”. There is a concession area. The Pool can get very crowded on busy days.
Note: This information is from the 2018 season. We will update it as soon as the information is available. The Wave Pool offers American Red Cross Levels 1-5 Learn to Swim classes from August 6 – August 17. The cost is $30.00 for residents and $38.00 for non-residents. More information can be found here:
Note: Flotation devices are NOT ALLOWED. This means no life jackets, no floaties, no water wings. (The only exception is special devices for disabled persons.) Food and drinks are not permitted in the pool area. All food and drinks must be consumed in the concession area. Smoking is not allowed except in designated areas. Masks, snorkels, fins, beach balls, and sunglasses are not permitted. Lockers can be rented for $0.25 a day. Rafts can be rented for $5.00 a day/ $6.00 for non-residents. All rules and regulations can be found here:
https://www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/activities/water-activities/pools.aspx
The South Park Wave Pool is open daily from 1130AM-730PM weather permitting. If the Pool hasn’t opened by 200PM then it will not open that day. The last day for the Pool is September 2nd. There may be reduced hours/availability toward the end of the season.
Resident daily rates are $1.00 for children 0-5, $5.00 for youth and juniors 6-17, $6.00 for adults, and $3.00 for seniors 60+. Non-resident daily rates are $1.00 for children 0-5, $6.00 for youth and juniors 6-17, $8.00 for adults, and $4.00 for seniors 60+.
The South Park Pool is located at 1 Wave Pool Complex, Bethel Park, PA 15102 / 412-831-0810/
https://www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/activities/water-activities/pools.aspx
The Mt. Lebanon Swim Center
The Mt Lebanon Swim Center is a FamilyFun heated pool with a zero entry area, spray features, two water slides, lap lanes, a deep end (12 feet) with a diving board and a rock climbing wall, and plenty of room for the whole family. The spray park is shallow and good for the younger crowd. Bigger kids will love the two water slides. Older kids (who are good swimmers, lifeguards have the right to require a swim test) can head over to the diving board and rock wall. There are many rules and regulations for each of these areas, check them out here:
https://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/16706/Pool-Pass-Rules-and-Prices
The Swim Center has large changing rooms and several Family Changing rooms. The Center requires all children over the age of 6 to use the “appropriate” changing room. The Family Rooms are for families with young children but are used by families of all ages because of the six and older rule. The Swim Center has a snack bar. US Coast Guard approved flotation devices can be used however an adult must be within arm’s distance of all times.
The Pool is open from 1200PM -800PM for General Swim. Adult Swim times are 1100AM-1200PM daily and 815PM-915PM Monday through Thursday. During Adult Swim nobody under the age of 18 is allowed in the pool area, including on the pool decks. The Pool is open until August 25th. The pool may close for bad weather. There are special events that may affect the schedule. There is a Family Dive-In Movie and Pool Party July 12th 815-1015PM. Check it out here:
https://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/16708/Swim-Center-Calendar
The Swim Center is located in the Mt. Lebanon recreation center and park. There are playgrounds nearby. There is free parking available.
Daily passes are $8.00 for adults over 19, children 4-18 are $7.00, seniors 62+ are also $7.00, children 3 and under are free. Twilight admission after 600PM is $6.00 for everyone. Pool Passes are available for individuals and families and for residents and non-residents. Details can be found here:
https://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/View/16706/Pool-Pass-Rules-and-Prices
The Swim Center hosts private and semi-private parties. Links to information can be found here:
https://www.mtlebanon.org/2332/Swim-Center—Private-Rental
The Mt. Lebanon Swim Center is located at 900 Cedar Blvd, Mt Lebanon, PA 15228/ 412-561-6626/
https://www.mtlebanon.org/366/Swim-Center
Upper St Clair Aquatics Center
The Upper St Clair Aquatics Center is a sprawling indoor/outdoor complex with three pools, a “resistance channel”/lazy river, and an indoor lap pool.
The outdoor pool has many FamilyFun features. There is a body slide, a lily-pad walk, fountains, water geysers, and canyons, a giant tipping bucket, and a play structure with a little kid’s slide. Then Pool deck is surrounded by a grassy area with two large pavilions, picnic tables, a sandbox, and seating areas with large beach umbrellas. The pool is kept at a comfortable 78 to 80 degrees. There are men’s and women’s changing rooms and a family changing room. There is a large grassy area for blankets. The Center also has vending machines and limited concessions. Guests can bring in outside food and drinks but no glass containers and no alcohol. It is located at the Community Recreation Center near Boyce Mayview Park and just across the parking lot from Casey’s Playground.
The Pool maintains a ten minute “rest period” at the top of every hour. ALL guests are required to exit the pools during this time. Swim diapers are required for non-potty trained children. Chairs, tents, and umbrellas are not allowed. Guests ten and under are required to be supervised by an adult 18 and older at all times. Children under 48” must stay in the shallow end of the pool unless they are within arm’s reach of an adult. The only flotation devices allowed are US Coast Guard approved life jackets and they can only be used in the shallow end. A complete list of Pool rules can be found here:
http://www.twpusc.org/crc/pdf/57-pool-rules.pdf
Admission is $12.00 for non-members 2+. Members use the facilities for free. There are numerous membership plans with the details found here:
http://www.twpusc.org/crc/membership
The Outdoor Aquatics Facility is open from 1100AM-700PM May 25th through Labor Day. There are extended hours on Fridays 1100AM-700PM June 7-August 23. The Indoor Aquatics schedule can be found here:
http://www.twpusc.org/crc/aquatics
The CRC and Aquatics Center is located at 1551 Mayview Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 / 412-221-1099 /
http://www.twpusc.org/crc/aquatics
Baldwin Pool
The Baldwin Pool is a traditional community pool in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. It recently underwent a two year renovation. The pool has a small slide, shaded areas around the pool deck, and changing rooms. The Pool offers swimming classes, for more information
http://baldwinborough.org/162/Pool
The Baldwin Pool is open daily through September 2nd on weekdays from 1200PM – 800PM and weekends and holidays from 1200PM – 600PM.
Daily admission for all ages and both residents and non-residents is $6.00. Daily admission after 400PM for all ages is $3.00. Season passes are available too. The cost for the first and second passes are $55.00 for residents and $80.00 for non-residents. Family passes are $155 for residents and $215 for non-residents. There are other pass options are available here
http://baldwinborough.org/162/Pool
The Baldwin Pool is located at 3344 Churchview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15227 / 412-881-6444 /
http://baldwinborough.org/162/Pool
Mineral Beach
Mineral Beach is closed at this time.
Mineral Beach is located in Washington County on Route 88 just south of the Allegheny County Line, near Trax Farms. It is a Washington County icon, family-owned and operated. Mineral Beach is a large pool with zero depth entry. The Beach has a spiral slide and two diving boards – one low and an incredibly rare higher diving board. Younger kids can splash around in the shallow end. The pool deck is surrounded by grass, perfect for spreading out a blanket.
There are changing rooms (that are rated as being in poor condition by online reviewers) and a snack bar.
Mineral Beach is open Monday through Friday from 1100AM-600PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 1100AM-700PM weather permitting.
The Daily rate is $8.00 for 12+ and $6.00 for under 12. Babies are free. Mineral Beach also offers pool passes at $95.00 for 12+ and $75.00 for under 12. Mineral Beach is CASH ONLY! They DO NOT take cards so be prepared.
Mineral Beach is located at 6285 Route 88, Finleyville, PA 15332 / 724-348-7426 /
https://swimmineralbeach.com/
The Whitehall Pool
The Whitehall Swimming Pool is another community pool in the South Hills area. USE IS RESTRICTED TO WHITEHALL RESIDENTS AND THEIR GUESTS ONLY! It has a large swimming pool with a deep end and a diving board and a smaller shallow pool for little swimmers. The Pool deck is surrounded by a large grassy area perfect for families. The Pool offers swimming lessons. There is parking adjacent to the Pool. More information can be found here:
https://www.whitehallboro.org/recreation/pool.html
The Whitehall Pool is located at 100 Borough Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 / 412-881-3314 /
https://www.whitehallboro.org/recreation/pool.html
If you have any pools to add to this list, please contact us at [email protected]
