This is an ongoing chronicle of the many and varied public, semi-private and private pools of the Los Angeles area, as well as other swimmable bodies of water.

It is intended as a resource for those avid swimmers out there who want the low-down on where to go (and where not to go) for some acquatic action in our fair city.

7th July 2010

Post with 2 notes

ECHO DEEP POOL

ECHO DEEP POOL

1419 COLTON STREET (map)

213.481.2640

(JUST OFF GLENDALE, SOUTH OF TEMPLE IN ECHO PARK)

http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/facility/echoParkPool.htm

LAP SWIMMING SCHEDULE (AS OF JULY 2010 – check website above for changes):

MON-FRI             6.00-7.30 am ($55 FOR 30 ADMISSIONS PASS REQUIRED!!)

                              12.30-2.30 pm

                              3.00-5.00 pm

                              7.00-9.00 pm (FRIDAYS = ADULTS ONLY)

SAT-SUN              12.00-5.00 pm

SIZE: 36.6 X 22.7 METERS

DEPTH: UP TO 9 FEET

COST: $2.50 / $2.00 w/ library card (KIDS & SENIORS FREE)

This heated indoor pool is a real treasure, tucked away among houses and some small buildings just south of the 101 freeway in echo park. I probably had driven past it a thousand times without noticing it, in spite of the eye-catching modern building in which it is housed.

The pool and housing structure were actually renovated in early 2008 at the cost of about 5 million dollars, according to la.curbed.com.  There are now lots of glass panels that let sunlight in, and cool garage door-like windows that  roll up and allow air in on hot days. However, it should be noted that the bathrooms and changing areas remain pretty bare-bones – concrete with a few benches and a few private stalls. I wouldn’t plan to get ready for a night out there or anything like that. On the upside, there are push-button showers and nice attendants who will check your bag (you get a safety pin), insist you shower before entering, and actively enforce the no cell phone rule.

This pool can get busy, with various local swim teams coming in for practice throughout the afternoon and community classes during the evening. But they devote quite a bit of time and space to lap swimming (usually 6 lanes, marked ‘slow’ ‘medium’ and ‘fast’), so it is definitely possible to find a time that works for you. I’d say that the odds of having to share a lane are about 50/50. Kickboards and pull buoys are available for use. Also, there are two pla y areas open on either end of the pool often reserved for kids and their parents. Sometimes on the weekends they leave the middle area open for diving board activity as well.

Like all City of Los Angeles public pools, the cost to swim at Echo Deep is $2.50 or $2.00 with an LA city library card. You may also purchase a 30-visit pass for $55. It is open year-round and is a great option during winter months in particular. I have read elsewhere that there were problems in the past with the cleanliness of the water, but in the past year i personally have never experienced anything weird or gross there. And i have swum there a lot.

Tagged: echo parkdeeppoollos angelesswimindoor

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  1. swimminginla posted this