Beat the heat this summer. Here’s your go-to guide to Lexington’s public pools, splash parks
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Summer fun in Kentucky
Use our recreation guide to plan your Kentucky summer of hiking, biking, swimming and more.
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Temperatures are on the rise as we roll into summer, and Lexington offers plenty of places to cool down.
For the first time since 2019, there will be no capacity restrictions at the city’s public pools.
If you’re looking to make a splash or catch some rays, check out these aquatic centers and neighborhood pools in the Lexington area. Unlike many other city park amenities, there is a fee for pool access.
Pool passes are available for those who plan to spend the season frequenting the facilities. An individual pass costs $55 and a family pass is $270. The family option allows entry for up to six people who live in one household.
Both options provide unlimited season entry to all city-owned pools. Pool passes may be purchased onsite. All pools accept payment through cash, check or credit card.
Aquatic centers
Whether you’re bringing toddlers or prepping for swim races, there’s options for you in Lexington. Each of the following facilities opened for the season May 28.
Pool hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Here’s what else to know.
Castlewood
Perfect to entertain little ones, Castlewood Aquatic Center offers a looped slide, a giant octopus and a diving board.
Zero-depth entry is available, and there’s an enclosed splash pad. A small concession stand serves drinks and snacks for purchase.
City officials said in a May 19 press release they plan to install a new pump at Castlewood.
Admission: $4 for patrons 15 years old or younger, $6 for adults
Location: 320 Parkview Ave., Lexington, KY 40505
Woodland
Diving fanatics and lap-swimmers are in luck. Woodland Aquatic Center features a separate diving pool with two boards and a rock wall, along with a 25-meter lap pool.
There are also options children can enjoy, including a looped slide and a zero-depth entry pool.
You can take a break from the action at the concession stand, where snacks are available for purchase.
One of the center’s diving boards was recently added, and city officials plan to install a new filter tank and additional features in the future.
Admission: $3 for 15 years old and younger, $5 for adults
Location: 190 Old Park Ave., Lexington, KY 40502
Southland
This center caters to little ones with a separate pool for children, a splash bucket, tall slide, zero-depth entry and a concession stand where snacks can be purchased.
Additionally, a new diving board was recently installed at Southland. The aquatic center is slated to receive more improvements as well, including a new filter tank, pump and more features.
Admission: $4 for swimmers 15 years old or younger, $6 for adults
Location: 625 Hill N Dale Road, Lexington, KY 40503
Tates Creek
Tates Creek Aquatic Center is ideal for toddlers, as well as those looking for a serious workout. The facility offers a separate pool with an enclosed looped slide and a toddler pool with play structures. City officials are planning repairs to the water feature.
There’s a large pool with 50-meter lap lanes, too.
Snacks are available for purchase at the golf course concession stand.
Admission: $4 for people 15 years or younger, $6 for adults
Location: 1400 Gainesway Dr., Lexington, KY 40517
Neighborhood pools
Lexington’s two neighborhood pools open for the 2022 season June 4. There are swim teams, as well as swim classes for $45, offered at these pools.
Hours for the neighborhood pools vary by location.
Douglass
This pool features a new diving board and an enclosed splash pad. There is a bathhouse onsite. Future plans for Douglass include a new slide and filtration system.
Admission: $3 for youth 15 years old and younger, $4 per adult
Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Location: 701 Howard St., Lexington, KY 40508
Shillito
Shillito neighborhood pool offers a recently installed diving board, a climbing wall and two 50-meter lap lanes. There’s also a small toddler pool and a concession stand with snacks for purchase.
Lexington officials intend to repair the Shillito pool deck in the future.
A bathhouse is available onsite.
Admission: $3 for youth 15 years old and younger, $5 per adult
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Location: 300 Reynolds Road, Lexington, KY 40503
Splashpads and other summer fun
There are four “spraygrounds” in Lexington, which are interactive water features designed to have no standing water. Lifeguards are not present, and supervision from a parent or guardian is required.
To activate the water, touch the top of the pole located near the facilities’ entrance.
There are spraygrounds at Castlewood Aquatic Center and Douglass neighborhood pool. Those facilities are open pool hours.
The other two opened for the season April 23, and they close Oct. 2. Here’s where they’re located.
Jacobson spraygrounds
The spraygrounds are adjacent to Jacobson Park’s playground.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Location: 4001 Athens Boonesboro Road, Lexington, KY 40509
Masterson Station
The spraygrounds are adjacent to Masterson Station Park’s playground.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Location: 3051 Leestown Road, Lexington, KY 40511
Do you have a question about recreation for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out the form below or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 9:49 AM.
