Resources
Pool Facts
We still have only 2 outdoor public pools, neither one centrally located. The new Mounger pool has proven the cost-effectiveness of outdoor, public pools– it has a 95% cost-recovery rate for yearly operations and spends summers packed to the gills. No wonder private outdoor pools have 8-10 year waiting lists—View Ridge Pool, for example, has 847 families on its wait list.
Documents
- National Data for Cities: # Swimming Pools per 100,000 Residents. Seattle is well below the 3.0 average for all cities, with 1.7 pools/100,00 people. (Trust for Public Lands)
- Feasibility Study Proposed to City Council, Oct 2007
- Christine’s Testimony to the City Council, Oct 10 2007
- Seattle Neighborhood Plans that include pools. Excerpts.
Existing Pools
- Spreadsheet of Specs for Seattle Public Pools. Construction dates, sizes, etc.
- Trends in Pool Modernization and Seattle Status. From a 2002 draft document prepared by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Draft has not yet been updated or verified.
- Seattle Pool History. From a 2002 draft document prepared by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Draft has not yet been updated or verified.
- Seattle Public Pool Web Pages
- Swimmer’s Guide. Comprehensive, world-wide database of pools available to the public.
- Eastside Pools. List compiled by Project Splash (see next section).
- Map of existing public pools. Modified from a Parks Department map. Note the distribution of outdoor pools, both far west.

Other Groups Campaigning for Pools
- Project Splash. This group has made great strides campaigning for an aquatics complex on the Eastside.
Letter You Can Forward To Friends About the Parks Meetings:
Dear Swimmers and Families:
As you know,
The new Parks Department Superintendent will hold 33 community meetings in late November and early December 2007 to gather input for the new Parks strategic plan. We need you to attend one of these meetings and speak for pool space. If Parks & Rec does not hear strong support for pools, pools will go to the back of the line for another 5 years.
How to Help:
#1 Priority: Please speak for pools at one of the 33 Seattle Parks Dept. Strategic Planning meetings near you. Dates, times and locations are listed here: http://seattlepools.org/actions-needed/.
#2: If you cannot make it to a Parks meeting, you can email your comments to Parks Strategic Planning Coordinator Susanne Friedman: Susanne.Friedman@Seattle.Gov. Note that we’ve been told attendance at the meetings themselves will have the most impact.
#3: If you have time, it’s also helpful to send letters to Mayor Nichols (
Thanks so much for your help.
–The Project
Pool Facts
Sample Blurb for Placement in Your Team/Club Newsletter:
Help Get Pools on the Parks Department Agenda
The
{Nearby Meetings Go Here…. Example:}
11/27 Tuesday 5-7 pm
11/29 Thursday 7-9 pm
12/4 Tuesday 7- 9pm
12/5 Wednesday 7-9pm