Now that summer is here... I'm so glad for this place! With the recent Massachusetts heat waves…read more.. Its the perfect spot. It's a public pool close to my apt. It's appropriate for families. You will see a lot of families and people here when it's hot. But the pool isn't overcrowded and that's the most important thing for me. You still get your space without someone stepping over you. There's women/men bathroom and a shower and changing area. Outside are mini cube like lockers where you can lock up your little valuables but you will need to bring your own lock. Lastly, parking is limited. There's like 5 parking spots but they're all handicap. They have street parking around but you have to find it.

The pool itself is nice, with a very shallow area for young toddlers and a deeper area for older…read morekids to swim. The parking lot is tiny, though, so it's very hard to visit if you don't live close enough to walk. They also have very frequent and lengthy times you have to get out of the water during lifeguard shift changes, so we were never able to spend very much time actually in the pool when we visited.

Facilities are clean though dated, parking is easy, I love the option of the kids' pool, adults'…read morepool, and splash pad, something for everyone. The day pass fee for non-Newton residents is steep at $20 per person for what you get but I imagine it's supposed to be a deterrent. It's one of the "nicer" pool options in the area, but that's not saying much. Kids love it though.

Good location and fairy clean facility....but why not provide chairs if you can't bring your own?…read more I have frequented several pool around the area and they all offer lounge chairs or regular chairs and tables. It's very hard past the age of 20 to lay out on a towel on the ground. Ridiculous. Hopefully the new renovation coming will include places to sit and spend the day.

Wonderful facility!! Must check hours weekly for changing…read morecommunity availability Shallow pool lane swimming diving pool Lessons also available

Highly recommend for kids swim classes! Great experience in both group classes and private lessons…read more Zeus is the absolute best! He is kind, patient, and knowledgable. He is fantastic at teaching kids to swim at any level and makes every child feel special too.

This is a very beautiful pool. I wish it were available more often, but the building is, after…read moreall, a public school. It's worth adjusting one's schedule for at least one or two visits, especially during summer heat waves. The showers offered privacy, but -- during my visits during heat waves -- no hot water. The Cambridge YMCA on Mass Ave. also offers cold showers only. My issue is with another post here that the pool at Somerville YMCA on Highland Street is inferior. I've been swimming there since the 1980s. Compared to many local pools, it's Buckingham Palace. The building dates back to 1904, which is an automatic turn-off for many people, even though Somerville YMCA is kept clean & orderly and offers everything you need to stay fit and toned. I love the beautiful old tiles that line the pool room walls and the peaceful atmosphere for lap swimming without someone else's music blasting away -- as at the MIT pool, to "keep the lifeguards awake." If the windows were unsealed to admit natural light, it would be perfect. To swim a mile, you must do 44 laps. Some experienced swimmers find this confining, but it's just right for beginning/moderate swimmers. The showers are excellent; for a little extra money, there's the women's and men's health club rooms, which offer secure lockers, curtained private showers, towels, and a small gym with plenty of equipment. Ginny Smith offers kick boards, but not fins. You must carry in all your gear and take it with you when you leave. The separate shallow pool is a perfect place to do shallow-water aquatics or physical therapy workouts. Lifeguards friendly & helpful. Desk staff -- during my few visits -- seemed inexperienced and inadequately trained. Perhaps there's too much staff turnover: my guess. A must-visit pool.

I actually had a very pleasant swim during the senior lap swim session. The pool was a nice…read moretemperature and not too crowded. When I went to take a shower post swim, I discovered that many of the showers don't work. With the help of other patrons, I found one that was OK. Kind of a bummer that most don't work. On the way out, I met the director of the pool and mentioned the showers. She was the snippiest and rudest admin person I've come across in a long time. Full of herself and with a big time attitude ... "I'm not a plumber!" she told me. Oh my gosh - who hired her?! Not a person you would want representing such an important and promising facility.

Such a hidden gem located 3 minutes away from Arlington Center. One minute you're on a busy Main…read moreStreet, the next you're sunbathing the day away and relaxing on the sand just minutes later. The deal: * Its $10 a person * Clean and large bathrooms onsite * A playground for kids onsite * Plenty of shaded areas on the sand as well as plenty spots to lay in the direct sun * Benches are available under trees by the water * Lifeguards on duty * Some days there are camps midday so be mindful of this if you're trying to avoid crowds * Sand, good views, and water to swim in * A large walking path along the perimeter of the whole grounds (this is free, you don't need to pay $10 to walk around) Such a great spot if you're looking to tan or hop in the water without driving too far

I use to love this place. Grew up there every summer. Now, under a new management it is very sad…read more Tons of Supervisors walking around, nasty and grabbing every penny you got. Treat the lifeguards like crap, won't even let them eat a hot dog. The feeling of this place has certainly changed.

Clean 25 yd pool that wasn't too crowded. I went after work and didn't have to share with more…read morethan one person. Also, there's a very large diving well and separate kiddy pool so the lanes don't get full of aqua-joggers or families. Compared to some other local (non-university) pools, it's not quite as over-chlorinated or quite as warm, and definitely cleaner. Cheap entry by day, multiple-session card (I did the 10 entries for $40 which I think is budget-friendly) or gym membership - although I haven't checked out the gym yet. Only complaint is limited hours of lap availability and no AM lap swim during the winter session.

I am trying out several different masters swim programs in the Boston area and this is my second…read moreone I've tried. (See my other review for Quincy masters). So, I have to say, this one is just okay. You get a decent workout, but it's not HARD. And the reason why is not because of the workout itself, but it's because there are no SEND OFF times. Basically, the workout is, you do X amount of sets, but resting wise, you just do 10 or 20 second rests after each set. And so personally I'm not motivated to swim faster because I'm not trying to do anything on a specific time constraint. I find myself a little less focused to go faster without sendoffs. Also, the workout is pretty much the same each time- you start with a warmup, then 2 underwaters, and then the main set, and then an IM set, and the same kind of sprints where you try and do each 25 with zero breath or one, or whatever it is. It's not a bad workout, but I'm incredibly bored because I know it's the same each time. The main set changes each time, of course, but the sameness of structure makes it kinda boring. We get a decent amount of yardage in- anywhere between 2400-3200 per hour and 15 minute workout time. Practices are twice a week. As for the coach, Elyssa, she is a lovely woman. However, she doesn't quite have the enthusiasm I'm personally looking for. I want somebody to yell at me and give me critique. However, in her defense, she does have to coach 6 lanes of people so I understand it's not easy to give personal attention, so I don't blame her. But personality wise, I like a little more spunk in my coach. But everyone is there for different reasons so it's hard for a coach to be everything. The one thing that really bugs me is the staff that works there at the front desk- they are SO unfriendly, rude, impatient and clearly underpaid. They are CRANKY and they are the first people I see when I walk into that building so it makes me want to not be there. The pool is about a 10 minute walk to Harvard T stop (cut off across Harvard campus will save you ample time), so it's not terrible in terms of location. Oh, the pool itself really sucks. First of all, there are bulk heads that's separating the different sections of the pool so there's nothing to GRAB onto when you're doing two hand touches; it's completely awkward and irritating. Imagine finishing and doing two hand touches on a wall. Also, when you get into the pool, they have these blocks that are covered by orange covers that sorta get in the way and make it hard for you to get in- not to mention it is IMPOSSIBLE to get out because of the depth. You have to swim to the ladder to get out of the pool, because there is no way you can get out from the pool otherwise. It's kinda ridiculous. Cost wise, it's $105 for 20 sessions, so that's $5.25 per session, which is pretty cheap. I've looked into many other programs and this is probably the cheapest one. So pros: -Pretty good location if you're in Cambridge -Decent yardage of workout -Nice coach -Inexpensive Cons: -Sucky pool -Unfriendly front desk staff -No real send off times, just go at your own pace (which can be a pro if that's what you are looking for) - A bit dull (atmosphere, people, some of the workouts) If you are in Cambridge and are looking for twice a week workout for fitness, this is probably a good option for you.

I was very impressed! The complex is clean, well mannered staff and there were so many lifeguards…read moreand all were polite and very attentive to the kids in the pools! I will certainly be returning with grandkids again. They had a wonderful time

This place is the best! Shout out to Dan for making this a better time for everyone who goes down…read morethe slide! I reccomend.

A-maz-zing!…read more Absolutely clean kid friendly family park. There is a little kids gym and a bigger kids gym, swings, picnic tables and so much more for the adults as well. Street side parking available, trash and recycle, portapotty as well as water fountain. This was a sweet park for the kids. Definitely be back!