Best Free Swimming Pools for Families in West Philly  

Kelly Pool –– West Fairmount Park 

Flanked by shade-giving trees and filled with 800,000 gallons of H2O, your family will love splashing around in all eight lanes of Fairmount Park’s Kelly Pool, three of which are permanently designated as lap lanes for the dedicated swimmers in the family. The surrounding green space is great. Kelly’s Olympic-sized pool features a deep end for experienced swimmers, something not seen everywhere.

Nearby: The Please Touch Museum is steps away, answering the question “what’s next” on a hot summer day.

Fun Fact: Kelly is named after Grace Kelly’s dad, who lobbied to have it built.

Cobbs Creek Park Pool –– Cobbs Creek Park 

This pool is currently closed for the 2025 swimming season while the Rebuild Philadelphia initiative works on renovations. When it is open, families can enjoy nature adventures at Cobbs Creek Park, including its outdoor pool. The pool lies next to the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, which has lots of family programming for kids to enjoy. 

Nearby: Meadows, a forest area, two creeks, and a wetland surround the pool, as well as a walking trail for a brisk hike or leisurely stroll. 

Fun Fact: Cobbs Creek Park, where this pool is located, features Philadelphia's oldest golf course.

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The James Finnegan Playground Pool is a popular South Philly summer destination.

Best Free Swimming Pools for Families in South Philly

James Finnegan Playground Pool –– Paschall 

South Philadelphians love swimming at this large community pool right across from the playground. A sprinkler provides additional water play and helps win it a place among the best public pools for kids in Philly. A newly-added wooden oasis area provides more places to relax. On the grounds, there's a multipurpose room that hosts a variety of activities for youth, adults, and families. The park also contains courts for basketball, hockey, and tennis.

Nearby: If you can’t find enough to do on James Finnegan’s 17.7-acre grounds, make a day of it by stopping by Bartram’s Garden or FDR Park.

Fun Fact: This pool is close to Olympic size, for those building swimming endurance.

Kingsessing Recreation Center Pool –– Kingessing 

For part of the Summer 2025 season, the Kingsessing Rec Center pool will be closed for renovation under the Rebuild Philadelphia project. It will reopen partway through the summer. Check the website for updates. The Kingsessing Rec Center pool is one of the larger ones in the city, and locals report a real family feel among those who frequent these waters. Kingsessing Pool has lounge chairs, umbrellas, and privacy screening from the street. The center itself is on an 8.4-acre park that's home to ball fields, handball, tennis and basketball courts. The Rebuild Philadelphia initiative will also renovate the community center and library on the grounds.

Nearby: The Kingsessing Rec Center Pool is a short distance from the Schuylkill River Trail head, just South of the Grays Ferry Avenue bridge. The trail continues to Bartram North at South 49th Street.

Fun Fact: The Kingsessing Recreation Center is one of the city's oldest and largest, originally home to the Belmont Cricket Club.

Barry Playground Pool –– Girard Estates 

Adjacent to Barry Playground, Barry Pool provides open swim and family swim for at least one session a day, and free lessons every weekday. This four-acre site also has basketball, tennis, hockey, and volleyball courts, in addition to sports fields.

Nearby: If the adjacent playground isn't enough, Barry Playground pool is several blocks from the playgrounds and green space of Marconi Plaza, as well as a five-minute drive from the much larger FDR Park. 

Fun Fact: The site is named after Commodore John Barry, considered the Father of the American Navy.

Marian Anderson Recreation Center Pool –– Point Breeze 

Regulars appreciate that this pool has designated areas for swimmers based on age and ability, which helps keep everyone safe while allowing older and stronger swimmers to enjoy some time away from the noise and splashing of little ones. Marian Anderson has life jackets on site; a big plus. There’s a small but cute grassy area to lay out in the sun, umbrellas for shade, and chairs for perfecting your tan.

Nearby: This pool is a short drive from the Kimmel Center and Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, if you want to keep the day going with more family fun.

Fun Fact: Marian Anderson Rec Center Pool has a unique polygonal shape, much like a rectangle (with swimming lanes), with an adjoining flattened triangle for other swimmers.

RELATED: Free Splash Pads, Spray Grounds and Sprinklers in Philly 

The Athletic Rec Center Pool features—are you ready?—water slides. Photo courtesy of Mica Root for phillypublicpools.com

Best Free Swimming Pools for Families in North Philly

Northern Liberties Recreation Center Pool –– Northern Liberties 

There’s time allotted for free swim and family swim at this beloved community pool, in addition to lessons and activities. It’s pretty cozy here, with five lanes for your family to submerge themselves, but that makes it a welcoming environment for younger swimmers. The pool maxes out at 5 feet, so there's no diving, but it might therefore be more appealing to littler ones. Kids can enjoy a spray ground here, too. The high brick walls afford privacy from the street, and the adjacent recreation center has a full slate of kids' activities.

Nearby: The No Libs Rec Center Pool is a 16-minute walk, or a 4-minute drive, to Franklin Square on 6th Street, with its carousel, award-winning playground, unique Philly Mini Golf, and fountain shows a couple times a day, April through October.

Fun Fact: Like a hidden oasis, this pool is virtually invisible from the surrounding area because of the high brick walls.

Samuel Playground Pool –– Port Richmond 

Residents describe Samuel Pool as the main hub for neighborhood youth. Chillier days are no problem here, thanks to the pool’s heating system. The schedule includes free swim every day in summer, family swim every weekday, and lessons through registration. Samuel is another pool with a deep end for older swimmers.

Nearby: Only four blocks west of the Samuel Playground Pool, you'll find Campbell Square, a 3-acre park that doubles as a community space for movie nights, flea markets, farmers' markets, and more.

Fun Fact: The Samuel Recreation Center was formerly known to the community as Fox Square.

Athletic Recreation Center Pool –– Brewerytown 

The Athletic Rec Center Pool can be summed up in one word: slides! It’s the only free city pool where you can sail down playground structures into the water, making it a popular family pick. A spray ground adds to the fun, and the center also hosts a basketball court and sports fields.

Nearby: The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a short drive, perfect for a day of culture in air conditioning. Check the calendar for special family and kid events such as Art Kids Studio, which takes place roughly weekly in the summer.

Fun Fact: The Athletic Rec Center is a six-room building with an auditorium, gymnasium, boxing gym, and a public computing center.

Hancock Playground Pool –– Fishtown

Hancock is a great place to cool off after sweating it out on the playground, which received a $1 million renovation in November 2020. The pool is on the smaller side; ideal for families and kids who are building confidence in their water skills.

Nearby: Just six minutes away by car, you'll find Penn Treaty Park, a 7-acre park on the banks of the Delaware River with a playground, picnic areas, and outdoor concerts.

Fun Fact: There has been a park on the site of Hancock Playground Pool since 1896, and it became a recreation site in 1921.

Cione Playground Pool –– Kensington 

Daily free swim is available at Cione, where you can also sign up for lessons or the swim team. An attached shallow section is perfect for younger kids. There is an awesome adjacent playground, and the recreation center includes a ball field, hockey rink, sports field, and three basketball courts.

Nearby: Like Samuel Playground Pool above, Cione is close to Campbell Square and is also a short drive to Penn Treaty Park.

Fun Fact: This pool has a polygonal shape, with a rectangular area plus an extended tot area.

Vogt Playground Pool offers lifeguarded programs for all swim abilities. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation

Best Free Swimming Pools for Families in Northeast Philly

Bridesburg Recreation Center Pool –– Bridesburg 

The Bridesburg Rec Center Pool was always a hot destination for families. This pool welcomes hundreds of kids for lessons, camps, and teams, and it has an ADA-compliant ramp. This is another one of a handful in the city with a deep end extending past five feet.

Nearby: At the Bridesburg Boys & Girls Club, just a few blocks away, kids in elementary through high school can participate in programs focused on STEM, health and fitness, sports, and arts and culture. 

Fun Fact: The Rec Center serves up a wide range of activities for kids and families. It even has a dance studio and a kiln room for ceramics!

Vogt Playground Pool –– Tacony 

If you’re in the Northeast section of the city, take a family float at Vogt. This large T-shaped pool has something for everyone, including lessons, family swim, open swim, and tot swim programs. An adjacent spray ground keeps the party going when the kiddos emerge from the water. And if you’re looking for charm, Vogt has it –– there’s a hole in the rec center wall that staff climb through to access the pool.

Nearby: Vogt is just about five blocks away from the Free Library of Philadelphia –– Tacony Branch, which schedules kids' programming such as a weekly Summer Book Club and special events and workshops.

Fun Fact: The multipurpose Rec Center is equipped with community spaces as well as a ceramics room.

Lackman Playground Pool –– Bustleton 

Lackman Playground Pool is another city favorite, complemented by well-kept grounds, a nice playground, and a spray ground for more water play. It might not be the beach, but there is a sandbox, making this pool one of the only ones in the city where you can replicate the shore experience. A peaceful stretch of grass outside the pool fence is wonderful for catching a few rays.

Nearby: Just a short drive away, Pennypack Park encompasses 1,600 acres of woodlands, meadows, wetlands and fields to explore. There's also the Pennypack Environmental Center with exhibits, a reference library, picnic areas, and programming.

Fun Fact: Lackman is named in honor of William A. Lackman, a police officer from Lawndale killed in the line of duty in Bustleton.

American Legion Playground Pool –– Tacony 

The American Legion pool sits on a 15.8-acre property in the Northeast section with modern playground equipment, fields, and sports facilities. The center hosts a variety of kids' programs if you’re looking for something outside of the pool.

Nearby: Just like Vogt Playground Pool, listed above, the American Legion Playground Pool is a short distance from the Free Library of Philadelphia –– Tacony Branch.

Fun Fact: While the address says Torresdale, the pool is on Devereaux Avenue.

Fox Chase Recreation Center Pool –– Fox Chase 

In addition to an updated playground and sprinklers featuring a kid-friendly dragon, the Fox Chase Recreation Center pool serves the community with dedicated times for open swim, family swim, parent and tot swim, and lessons.

Nearby: Not far away, the Ryerss Museum and Library, located within Burholme Park, welcomes kids to free events such as story times and outdoor movie nights.

Fun Fact: Recently completed renovations to the Fox Chase Recreation Center included new gym flooring and stadium-quality lights on the sports field.

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Enjoy swimming at Awbury Pool, adjacent to the Awbury Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Mica Root for phillypublicpools.com

Best Free Swimming Pools for Families in Northwest Philly

Awbury Recreation Center Pool –– Germantown

 At Awbury Recreation Center Pool, a spray ground complements the landscape here, providing cool fun on a hot day. Philly families love heading uptown to this pool, where the abundant greenery seems to lower the temperature by a few degrees.

Nearby: The pool at the Awbury recreation center is located next to the Awbury Arboretum and playground, so drying off only means there’s more to explore.

Fun Fact: The name Awbury came from the original owner of the estate, Philadelphia shipbuilder Henry Cope. He named the estate Awbury as a nod to his ancestral home of Avebury in Wiltshire, England.

Kendrick Recreation Center Pool –– Roxborough

Roxborough residents give high marks to the public swim program at the Kendrick Recreation Center pool, which some affectionately refer to as the “bathie.” The pool offers open swim, family swim, lessons, teams, and it has a deep end. The center gives neighborhood kids plenty to do with classes and activities, a playground, and sports facilities.

Nearby: Kendrick is a short distance from Wissahickon Valley Park, with dozens of miles of trails for hiking and biking.

Fun Fact: The Kendrick Recreation Center Pool was built in 1927 and is completely surrounded by brick walls.

Pleasant Playground Pool –– Mt. Airy

Lounge on a chair underneath an umbrella, or frolic through the sprinklers next to this Mt. Airy pool on 4.7 acres of city-owned land. As part of Philadelphia’s Swim Philly program, Pleasant Pool often hosts fun kid-friendly events. Families also love this rec center’s playground.

Nearby: Pleasant Playground Pool is about halfway between Wissahickon Valley Park and the Awbury Arboretum.

Fun Fact: In addition to the playground, courts, and sports fields, Pleasant Playground features a community garden.

Best Swimming Pools for Families in the Philly Suburbs

In the Philadelphia suburbs, pools that provide day passes are rare, with many pools being member-only swim clubs instead. Sadly, none of these pools are free. But if you're willing to pay a small fee, there are a handful of worthwhile pools that extend one-day passes.

Marsh Creek Pool –– Downingtown

Located inside Marsh Creek Park, this pool includes a separate Splash Zone that's a hit with the kids. The deep end is just over 5 feet deep, but the shallow end is shallow enough for even toddlers to wade. A full concession stand sells everything from hot dogs and chicken nuggets to ice cream and soft pretzels. Daily admission is $14 for all ages.

Nearby: Marsh Creek Park includes miles of hiking trails in addition to boat rentals and fishing.

Fun Fact: The pavilion is rentable and contains a charcoal grill and electric outlets.

Spring City Community Pool –– Spring City

The Spring City Community Pool actually includes three pools: a large pool with a deep end and a shallow end, a shallow pool for elementary-age children, and a baby wading pool. Daily admission costs $10 per person. Swimmers aged 15 and younger have to be accompanied by an adult who's older than 21. 

Nearby: The pool is nestled within Brown Street Park, which has a playground and tennis courts and hosts community activities. Other nearby parks, such as the Riverfront Park, feature trails for hiking and mountain biking, and access for fishing.

Fun Fact: The town was originally named "Springville" after natural springs in the area. But the name was later changed from "Springville" to "Spring City" due to a conflict with another "Springville" in Pennsylvania.

French Creek Swimming Pool –– Elverson

Located inside of French Creek State Park, the French Creek Swimming Pool is a large swimming pool with a full-service concession stand, pavilion rentals, and large bathhouses. Outside snacks and food are also allowed, except alcohol. Daily admission is $13 per person. 

Nearby: The surrounding French Creek State Park spans Berks and Chester counties, with forests, lakes, wetlands and fields for hiking, camping, and biking.

Fun Fact: French Creek State Park is home to the largest contiguous block of forest between Washington D.C. and New York City.

Hatfield Aquatic Center –– Hatfield

The Hatfield Aquatic Center goes way beyond a typical pool. Think of it as a blend of a pool and a water park. Visitors can enjoy the Whale Sprayground, for ages 5 and younger; a Water Castle for kids; and the 8-foot-wide Blue Otter slide for up to three children to slide down side-by-side. Older swimmers (at least 48 inches tall) may try out the larger water slides, and a Lazy River with water tubes is available for all (although kids under 6 need adult supervision). What's more, there's a hydrotherapy pool for adults. and a fitness pool for those who can pass a swim test. The cost is cheaper for residents ($22 Monday through Friday, compared to $34 for non-residents; and $25 on Saturday and Sunday for residents, versus $35 for non-residents). There are discounts for kids under 5 and adults over 60.

Nearby: The Hatfield Community Park, which surrounds the Hatfield Aquatic Center, includes a playground and hiking trails, such as the Chestnut Street Trail.

Fun Fact: The Hatfield Parks and Recreation Department throws events such as concerts in its parks, especially in the summer.

Tips for Visiting Philly’s Free Public Pools with Kids

• Bring your own towels, swim diapers, and water shoes.
• Most pools require a swimsuit and will not allow regular clothes.
• Hours may vary—call ahead or check city pool listings.
• Bring your own snacks—some sites don’t allow food near the pool.
• Leave valuables locked in your car, as many pools do not allow personal belongings besides towels in the pool area.
• Apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes ahead of time, ideally before arriving, as some pools require swimmers to pass through a shower first.
• Find out the pool's policies for adult supervision, as some require parents to enter the pool with kids.
• Stay hydrated: even when swimming, both little bodies and older ones still need water to function properly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are Philadelphia’s public pools really free?

A: Yes! All public pools operated by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are completely free to use during the summer.

Q: What should I bring to a Philly public pool with kids?

A: Swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, water bottles, flip-flops, and a change of clothes. Some parents bring small chairs and umbrellas. Check with the pool ahead of time to find out if those items are allowed.

Q: Are bathrooms and changing areas available at all public pools?

A: Most larger pools do have restrooms and changing areas, though cleanliness varies. Kelly Pool and Samuel Rec are known for having better-maintained facilities. Most pools have changing areas separated by gender.

Q: Is there parking at these pools?

A: Some pools, like Kelly Pool and Pleasant Playground Pool, have easy parking. Others may have limited street parking—go early when possible, or look for other parking options nearby.

Q: Are lifeguards on duty at these pools?

A: Yes, all city-run pools have trained lifeguards on duty during open hours.

This article was updated and expanded by Alyce Wilson in 2025.