Stonewall Park Pool Meets New ADA Standards

in Manassas is opening this weekend and will be more handicap accessible than years passed.

The city's Neighborhood Services department has been working diligently with contractors to make the pool more handicap accessible and meet new state law requirements before it opens Saturday.

According to Christen Zenich, with the Manassas City Neighborhood Services Department, new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for swimming pools were signed into law in 2010, and compliance with the new law was slated for this year. 

Zenich said the city could have asked for an extension but wanted to have all the upgrades for the start of the 2012 season. "We are very excited to have the upgrades, not only for compliance but to offer our services to the entire community," Zenich said.

The new ADA standards for all public and private pools require that large pools  300 linear feet or more must have a minimum of two handicap accessible means of entry or at least one primary mean of entry, including a chair lift or slope entry.

Stonewall Park, which is just over 300 linear feet, already had a sloped entry and now exceeds state law with two primary means of entry because of a recently added chair lift. The pool has also added a hand rail to the sloped entry, which was also required per the new law. The pool also recently acquired a new aquatic wheel chair for public use.

The pool's concession stand is also trying something new out this year: healthier snacks—including fresh fruit, raisins, granola bars, among other items.

Zenich said the pool was at capacity last year during opening weekend and expects this year to be just as busy. Pool manager Brad Wilson said the baby pool will not be open this weekend due to more work that needs to be done.

Stonewall Park Pool, which is located in Manassas City, is the only public community pool in the area, and residents from outside  city limits are also able to attend the pool.

Daily pool admission costs range from just $1 for spectators to $6 for adults. Infants and senior citizens are free. Family and season passes are available and start at $15. Swim lessons are also available. Call 703-257-8315 for more information.