Alexandria Pools To Open For 2020 Season With Limits

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities has announced additional reopening updates after the city entered phase two last Friday. The updates include the pools, recreation classes and recreation centers.

Outdoor pools will open on July 1 under Virginia's phase two reopening guidance. Memorial Pool at 901 Wythe Street will be open for scheduled programming only with no drop-in or lap swimming. Warwick Pool at 3301 Landover Street will be open for scheduled programming with limited pop-up ticketed entry for swimming. Old Town Pool at 1609 Cameron Street will offer ticketed entry for swimming from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Advanced reservation is required for ticketed entry with one daily ticket per person. Reservations are available starting at 9 a.m. Thursdays for the following week. To reserve tickets, visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation or call 703-746-6909.

The summer season will run from July 1 through Labor Day (Sept. 7). General admission fees apply, and passes are suspended throughout the summer.

The Potomac Yard Park interactive fountain will remain closed until phase three reopening starts in Northern Virginia. Nova Parks has already announced Great Waves Waterpark at Cameron Run Regional Park will not open for the summer 2020 season.

Recreation centers will reopen for programming with modified hours and access on June 20. Centers will operate at 30 percent capacity with limited access for teens, individuals, and families, as well as senior-only hours. This includes Charles Houston Recreation Center at 901 Wythe Street, Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center at 25 West Reed Avenue, Mount Vernon Recreation Center at 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Patrick Henry Recreation Center at 4653 Taney Avenue and William Ramsay Recreation Center at 5650 Sanger Avenue. Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center is closed due to repairs.

On June 22, Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility will have ticketed entry for racquetball, swimming, and use of the fitness room Monday through Friday. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for ages 60 and older and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all ages. Ticketed entry for racquetball and the fitness room use will also be available Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon for all ages. Reservations are available Thursdays for the following week. One ticket per day can be reserved per person. To reserve tickets, visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation or call 703-746-6909.

Summer recreational programming will take place between June 26 and Sept. 5. Registration for outdoor fitness and tennis classes will start at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17 for Alexandria residents, and Friday, June 19 for non-city residents. Registration will be ongoing as more recreational programs are added. Programs must follow phase two reopening guidance, meaning instructors will maintain at least ten feet of physical distance. Indoor programs will be limited to 30 percent capacity.

The department will run a modified children's summer camp for children ages 6 to 12, geared toward essential workers with limited child care options. The pre-registration application was due on Monday, June 15. Once pre-registration is finished, registration opens to all Alexandria residents on June 22 on an availability basis. The program will take place weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from July 6 through Aug. 14.

Other Alexandria parks and recreation features were expected to be fully opened by June 15. These include parks, playgrounds, trails, paths, fields, dog parks, restrooms, parking lots, park roadways and most sport courts.