Thanks to the library's Summer Reading Club, my daughter earned a Swim Pass to any city pool. I couldn't believe how many Arlington has to choose from! But we went to Howard Moore because she is almost 4 and the deepest this play pool goes to is 1.5 ft.
So she got in free with her Swim Pass and I was only charged $2.50! I felt comfortable watching her from the side bc the lifeguards there actually do their jobs! Multiple times I saw the teenagers on duty remind kids to go up the slide using the steps, not crawling back up the tunnel, and to go down feet first after a small boy slid down head-first into a foot of water and struggled to stand up. Cheers to you, lifeguards!
Because this pool is so perfect for younger kids, we shared it with 2-3 daycares during our first hour there, each with 8-12 kids, some big, some small. The lady sitting next to me gathered her 3 kids shortly after an older group arrived and explained to her son that, "It's time to go because your little sister got trampled 3 times in the last 5 mins." So be warned. Also their bathrooms are about what you'd expect from park bathrooms (dingy but useable) and the water was extremely cold.
Nevertheless, it's a hidden haven of fun for a nominal fee. This first experience with the city's play pool gives me hope for all the others! read more