Want to Beat the Summer Heat? Check Out One of the Boston Area’s Many Public Pools
All are free and easily accessible by T
Photo via Unsplash/Raphaël Biscaldi
Want to Beat the Summer Heat? Check Out One of the Boston Area’s Many Public Pools
All are free and easily accessible by T
We’ve already set a heat record this summer, and no doubt there are more sizzling days ahead. To beat the heat, many people head to one of the area’s plentiful beaches.
Another option is to head to one of the local community swimming pools maintained by the city of Boston or the commonwealth’s Department of Conservation & Recreation. These pools provide a nearby opportunity for a day of sun, summer reading, and taking a refreshing dip. Best of all, most are free and all are easy to get to by public transportation.
Reilly Memorial Swimming Pool
355 Chestnut Hill Ave.
Brighton
In the heart of Cleveland Circle, next to the MBTA Green Line C branch trolley stop, or just a short walk from the Green Line B branch Chestnut Hill stop, this pool is open daily from 11:15 am to 6:45 pm through August 16. Find facilities, accessibility, restrictions, and directions here. Call 617-277-7822 for more information.
Francis J. McCrehan Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool
359 Rindge Ave.
Cambridge

This pool is open daily from 11:15 am to 6:45 pm through August 16. It also features a spray deck open from 8 am to 8 pm and offers swim lessons for children ages 4 to 12. Find details about parking, facilities, and restrictions here. Call 617-661-0670 for more information.
Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool
719 Memorial Drive
Cambridge
Just across the Charles, on Magazine Beach, next to the river, this pool is open daily from 11:15 am to 6:45 pm through August 16. Find facilities, services, including swim lessons, restrictions, and directions here. Call 617-661-0564 for more information.
Latta Brothers Memorial Swimming Pool and Spray Deck
235 Broadway
Somerville
A bit farther away from the city, this pool is a good bet for those in the Somerville, Medford, and Everett areas. It’s open daily through August 16, with the spray deck open from 8 am to 8 pm, and the pool from 11:15 am to 6:45 pm. Find facilities and services, including swim lessons, restrictions, and directions, here. Call 617-666-9236 for more information.
The Department of Conservation & Recreation manages many other public pools across Massachusetts. Find a complete list of available pools here. Also, check out these pools managed by the city through the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF).
Condon Pool
200 D St.
South Boston
The Condon Community Center has an indoor pool, along with a fitness center and gymnasium, for South Boston residents. It’s easily reachable via the T by taking the MBTA Red Line to Broadway. The pool is open Monday through Friday, 11 am to 9 pm, and Saturday 8 am to 4 pm. Visitors must create a free membership in the BCYF system at Boston.gov/BCYF-Registration. Call 617-635-5100 for summer hours and information about classes.
Charlestown Community Center Pool
255 Medford St.
Boston
The Charlestown Community Center, which features an indoor pool open year-round, is close to the Boston Harborwalk. The pool is open Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 9 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm through the end of summer.
Admission is free. Programs include aqua aerobics, recreational swim, family swim, lap swim, swim team prep, and lifeguard training. Register for classes here. Call 617-635-5169 for more information.
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