Symphony in DC Major — A photographic essay of the unveiling of the sculpture “Symphony in DC Major” by Zachary Oxman, located on P Street between 7th and 8th streets NW. [Badwolf DC]
Doughnuts. More Doughnuts. — A new Dunkin’ Donuts opened yesterday at 19th and L streets NW, next to the Chop’t and City Sports. [Borderstan]
Cooling Off — The city has spruced up Banneker pool at 2500 Georgia Ave with a snack bar and some canopies for shade. [New Columbia Heights]
McMillan Update — The District is looking for a contractor to oversee the McMillan Sand Filtration Plan development, which will transform a 25-acre parcel of land near the Children’s National Medical Center on Michigan Avenue into a brand new neighborhood with 146 townhomes, 531 apartments, a grocery store, more than 1 million square feet of medical office development, and that’s just to start. [Washington Business Journal]
From Cara Scharf. Email her at cara[AT]borderstan.com.
VIDA’s U Street rooftop pool. (Courtesy of VIDA)
If the past weekend’s heat wave is any indication, this summer may be brutally hot and humid. Luckily, for Borderstan residents who prefer backstroke to heat stroke, there are several outdoor swimming pools nearby where you can cool off, catch a tan, and work on your fitness.
Public Pools
DC residents can take advantage of free access to any pools run by the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Pools are now open on weekends and will open for full weekend and weekday hours on June 24. Nearby, DC DPR pools include:
- Francis Pool (2500 N Street NW) features roped-off areas of varying depths to satisfy children, beginners, and novice swimmers.
- Banneker Pool (2500 Georgia Avenue NW) is a crowd favorite that you may find yourself waiting in line to enter, but once you’re in you’ll enjoy separate adult and child areas and diving boards.
- Upshur Pool (4300 Arkansas Avenue NW) is where you’ll find ample parking but no depths greater than 5 feet.
- Happy Hollow Children’s Pool (2200 Champlain Street NW, adjacent to Marie Reed Aquatic Center) exists solely for the young ‘uns.
Be sure to call the pool if you have questions (including what kind of identification you can use if you don’t have a DC driver’s license. Beyond listing the hours and addresses of each pool, the DC DPR Aquatic Facilities website is sparse but worth visiting for more information.
For all pools, early arrival is best to ensure you can snag a lawn chair. Expect to be with children at the pool, be curteous with your eating habits and choice of swimsuit, and don’t expect to train for the Olympics or you will get frustrated.
Grown-Up Pools
For those of you who like to booze while you bathe in a more exclusive atmosphere, check out one of DC’s rooftop bar/pool combinations, such as the swanky DNV Rooftop Pool Bar (at the Donovan House Hotel, 1155 14th Street NW). You can buy memberships to the Capitol Skyline Hotel (10 I St SW) or the Penthouse Pool and Lounge (1612 U Street NW, roof of Vida Fitness). However, Capitol Skyline has Adult Pool Parties that non-members can attend by texting your name to their guest list line (information on Facebook).
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From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
The summer heat wave has resulted in more than sweat and increased Pepco bills — the city is extending the operating hours of all DC public swimming pools, including the Marie H. Reed indoor pool in Adams Morgan, beginning Monday, July 9. The Francis Pool at 25th and N Streets NW is also getting extended hours and will stay open until 9:30 pm.
News from DC’s Dupont, Logan and U Street neighborhoods.
For summer operations only, the Reed Pool will expand its morning lap swim to the following: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 until 10 am. This morning lap schedule will be in effect up to August 23rd, after which date the schedule will revert back to its previous morning lap swim schedule. The pool will also be adding an hour in the evening on Mondays through Fridays. Lap swimming hours will run until 8 pm, instead of 7 pm.
The Department of Parks and Recreation website has more informaton.
