On a hot day (and we’re preparing for a heat wave this weekend), there is nothing better than cooling off in a swimming pool. Many Westchester towns have a village pool, open to town residents only, but there are also four pools run by Westchester Parks and Recreation that all residents can enjoy.
And these aren’t just pools — they’re aquatic playgrounds.
Rye Playland Pool (above)
At Rye Playland you can enjoy the outdoor pool, play in the sand, walk along the boardwalk and pier (with or without an ice cream cone) and, if that’s not enough for you, check out the rides! The pool itself is on the beach, and while you can’t really see the Long Island Sound from the pool, you may feel a breeze off the water now and then. There aren’t loungers — so don’t expect to lay out. It’s more about cooling down in the shallow end and swimming laps in the roped off swim lanes. Be wary of crowds. This pool can get ultra packed on weekends.
Pool is open June 22 to August 19, Wednesday through Sundays, from 11am – 6:30pm. Pool is closed Monday and Tuesdays. From August 22 to September 3, the pool opens at 12pm and closes at 6:30 on Wednesday and Thursday, but from Friday to Sunday and Labor Day the pool is open from 11am to 6:30pm.
Cost: $6 for adults; children under 5 are free. For the 12 and under set, it costs $4 per child. Parking fees are $5 weekdays, $7 weekends and $10 holidays. (If you buy a Westchester Parks Pass, the admission prices are reduced.)
1 Playland Parkway, Rye; 914-813-7010
Saxon Woods Pool
Prepare to get wet. Saxon Woods is Westchester’s largest public swimming pool, and it’s got some really cool features for kids. Think: A twisty slide that spits you out into the pool. Plus, there’s lots of spraying water, and little ones will love running under the waterfall-like water spouts. If you get tired of the pool, there’s a 19 hole mini golf course on the property.
Pool is open seven days a week until August 19 from 11am to 6:30pm. After that, it opens at noon Monday through Thursday, and at 11am Friday to Sunday.
Cost: Park Pass or proof of county residency is required for admittance.$15 for adults; $6 with a Park Pass (see below). Children under 5 are free. Kids under 12 are $4. Parking is included.
Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains; 914-995-4480 or 4481
Tibbetts Brook Park
This 81-year-old pool just got a major facelift, and there’s lots of fun to be had: The pool has a spray playground, in-pool basketball and volleyball, lap lanes, in-pool benches and a lazy river with inner tubes. (Love the lazy river!) The original pavilions at the end of each pool have been restored creating a charming vintage style pool.
Pool is open everyday through August 19 from 11am to 6:30pm. After that, it opens at noon Monday through Thursday, and at 11am Friday through Sunday until September 3.
Cost: Park Pass or proof of county residency is required for admittance.$15 for adults; $8 with a Park Pass (see below). Children under 5 are free. Kids under 12 are $5. Parking: $5 from 8am to 6 pm through Labor Day.
Midland Avenue, Yonkers; 914- 231-2865
Willson’s Waves Pool
Willson’s Waves offers four fun ways to cool off: play in the wave pool with 3-foot waves with inner tubes, slide down their two 18-foot water slides, watch your kids play in the water playground with sprays, fountains and slide (while you lounge next to it in just enough water to perfect your tan), and run around the sprinkler playground as you get splashed by 57 sprinkler heads (also ideal for the little ones).
Pool is open everyday through August 19 from 11am to 6:30pm. After that, it opens at noon Monday through Thursday, and at 11am Friday through Sunday until September 3.
Cost: Park Pass or proof of county residency is required for admittance. $15 for adults and kids without a Parks Pass; children under 5 are free. If you do have a Parks Pass, it’s $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Parking: $5 from 8 am to 6 pm through Labor Day.
East Lincoln Avenue, Mount Vernon; 914-813-6990
What’s a Parks Pass?
All Westchester County pools (except Playland) require a Westchester County Park Pass or photo ID and proof of residence. The Westchester County Park Pass is $60 and is good for 3 years. With the pass, you’re allowed to bring two adult guests and children under 12. The pass also gets you discounts to pools and beaches and perks including admission to tennis courts at Tibbetts Brook Park. If you don’t have a pass, you can show your driver’s license with a Westchester address, but you can’t bring guests.
So, here’s the low down: If you don’t plan on going to the pools a lot, take your Westchester Driver’s License and pay the slightly higher admittance. If you think you’ll go a lot, or if you want to bring friends who don’t live in Westchester, a County Park Pass is the way to go. If you love to swim as much as me, think about getting the Season Swim Pass which allows you unlimited swimming at all the pools. The only catch: you have to buy a county park pass before buying the season pass, but you’ll still save money if you love to swim! Season passes for individuals are $100 and family season passes are $250.
If your child has a summer birthday, you can have their birthday party at one of the Westchester County pools. Find out more here. Still have questions? Visit Westchester’s Parks and Recreational Areas for more about Westchester’s Parks.
(All photos courtesy of Westchester County Parks.)
