White Park Pool is the perfect place for a kid to have fun in the sun. With its mushroom fountain, dumping buckets and rideable water-spraying whale, the pool is practically a waterpark. The only downside is that with its small capacity, kids may have to wait in line for a few minutes before being able to enter the pool area. But, hey, there’s a playground right next to it! Location: 1 White St. Public swim hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-noon, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
This spacious pool has plenty of room for everyone. Sunbathers take note: The North State Street location has virtually no shade, making it a great spot to catch some rays in between refreshing dips in the water. Location: 171 N. State St. Public swim hours: Monday-Friday, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Penacookians should consider themselves lucky – they get two pools in one! In addition to the standard swimming pool, Rolfe Pool houses a shallow, circular pool that’s perfect for the kids. Location: 9 Community Drive, Penacook. Public swim hours: Monday-Friday, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Rollins Pool is Concord’s biggest, deepest and most popular pool. Almost 6,500 people took a swim in Rollins last year. Many of those were lap swimmers, as Rollins leaves a lane open for those so inclined. Plus, with its “L” shape, it probably looks like a Tetris piece from overhead! Location: 33 Bow St. Public swim hours: Monday-Friday, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. (There is also adult lap swim from 5:15-6 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
This little gem is one of Concord’s least-used pools. In other words, it won’t be crowded! There’s a nice patch of shade from some overhanging trees, so you don’t have to be directly in the hot sun all day. Location: 31 Hutchins St. Public swim hours: Monday-Friday, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Live on the Heights? Then Keach Pool is your local spot to splash and play. Come on in, the water’s fine! Location: 2 Newton Ave. Public swim hours: Monday-Friday, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Merrill Pool is the spot for a day of family fun. Have a picnic out in the fields and then cool off in the pool! Bonus: It’s the closest pool to the Insider offices. Maybe you’ll see us there! Location: 25 Eastman St. Public swim hours: Monday-Friday, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Concord is home to seven – count ’em, seven – public pools. That may seem like a lot, and it is. Recreation Director David Gill told us that he believes Concord to be the only city of its size in New England, and perhaps the United States, with that many pools. But, he said, having a swimming pool within walking distance of every neighborhood in Concord is vital to the quality of life of our residents. We can’t help but agree. Many of our formative years were spent immersed in chlorinated water. So, we decided to check out each and every public pool for ourselves. Take a look! For more information about Concord’s pools, call 225-8690 or visit ci.concord.nh.us/recreation.
