Community Park Pool – Photo by R. Birkel
Summer is the season of being in the great outdoors, and swimming is one of the most popular summertime activities. Before the season officially begins, people sign up for a Community Park Pool membership in anticipation of Memorial Day weekend. For about $300 a Princeton resident can buy a family membership for the entire season. This is a very affordable price for residents, which is why it’s the first choice for many. It’s a great place in summer for people to socialize; however, if you go late in the afternoon on a weekday or on weekends, it can get quite congested and parking will be challenging.
CP Pool has been recently renovated with new slides, diving boards and picnic tables. It offers fee-based dive and swim lessons, has the CP BlueFish swim/dive team, has a children’s wading pool, and a lap lane for adults. There is even a water polo program! Community Park Pool has a lot to offer for a reasonable price.
But, there are other options. If you are willing to pay more for a membership, you can go to a private swim club that might offer some extra amenities along with a larger personal bubble per visitor. There is a catch. In addition to a higher membership fee, there is also a bond fee and sometimes an application fee. Co-ops require members to maintain the facilities and possibly help with social events. Additionally, you will not see as many friends there unless you convince them to also join.
These eight swim clubs, 2 of which are in town, that all have something unique to offer if you are considering an alternative to CP Pool.
Ben Franklin Swim
Broadmead Swim Club – Princeton – This is an in town alternative to CP Pool affiliated with Princeton University but membership is open to all.
Hopewell Valley
Lawrenceville Swimming Association – Lawrenceville – Activities available include a playground, shuffleboard, small soccer field, and ping-pong.
Nassau Swim Club – Princeton – This an in town alternative to CP Pool that is popular with residents and is located in the woods between the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University.
Penn Brook – Pennington – Recreational facilities include ping-pong, volleyball, two playgrounds and a picnic grove.
Quarry Swim Club – Hopewell – This is the most unique since it also features a natural spring-fed lake that’s 55 feet deep for swimmers only, and is surrounded by rock cliffs situated in a park-like setting. It also has a sand volleyball court.
The Willows Swim Club – Lawrenceville – Memberships are limited to 55 families per season.