Bucks County offers several ways to get wet and stay cool this summer. What's at our pools?

James McGinnis, Bucks County Courier Times
·7 min read

Widely considered the best exercise on Earth, swimming is available at government-owned pools that will soon reopen across Bucks County.

Bucks is home to 10 publicly owned swimming holes, which offer special discounts to area residents, kids, and seniors.

Here's a breakdown of your options, the prices, and the amenities at local aquatic centers as well as a map of their locations.

Fanny Chapman Memorial Pool of Doylestown

Nestled between a country club and bike track, the Fanny Chapman Memorial Pool of Doylestown is now five pools.

In the 1920s, the complex was opened as an alternative to the "muddy farmer's pond" long in use by the swimming citizenry of Doylestown, according to the club's website.

A local family donated the land and, in 1956, the deed of trust was transferred to Doylestown Borough. Pool managers boast needing no tax dollars from Doylestown citizens to keep the Fanny Chapman complex afloat.

Doylestown, though, has some rules about clothing and toys. Swimming in "street clothes" is not allowed nor are pool noodles ... save for tiny patrons of Fanny Chapman's toddler pool. The management makes an exception on "Fanny Float Nights" on some Friday evenings in summer.

Members can invite non-members to the Fanny Chapman Memorial Pool, paying fees of $7 for adults or a reduced price of $5 for kids 12 and under.

Fanny Chapman Memorial Pool of Doylestown: 10 McKinstry Drive, (215) 348-7618, open May 27 to Sept. 4

  • Membership fees: Student ($200), single adult ($255), senior ($175), senior citizen couple ($340), couple ($370) family ($475)

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Lower Makefield Township Community Pool

Lower Makefield went big with what it calls "The Pool," a complex that opened in 1981.

The aquatics center has four, heated Olympic-sized swimming holes, a fifth pool for toddlers, and two 18-foot water slides. It features an eight-lane, 25-meter lap pool, a 50-meter Olympic pool featuring two one-meter diving boards, a three-meter high dive, a three-foot wading pool, and a tot pool with a baby fountain.

A speed slide shoots bathers into the shallow end of the pool, while a slower corkscrew slide is designed for families and younger children. Memberships are limited to residents living in the township and in neighboring Yardley.

The Lower Makefield aquatic center hosts a "Super Dad’s Day," "School’s Out for Summer Bash Tween Night," and an "Island Night," among other summer events.

Lower Makefield Township Pool 1100 Edgewood Rd, 267-274-1100, open May 27 to Sept. 4

  • Fees for residents: Kids ages 5 and under and seniors 62 and older ($65), kids ages 6 to 13 ($90), persons 14 and older ($190).

  • Fees for non-residents: Kids ages 5 and under and seniors 62 and older ($100), kids ages 6 to 13 ($125), persons 14 and older ($170).

Mary Barness Community Pool of Warrington

Located just off Route 611, the Mary Barness Swim and Tennis Club of Warrington has been a summer haunt for nearly a century. Barness has three pools, waterslides, basketball, volley ball, and tennis courts.

The club was initially opened n 1939 by the Philadelphia District of the Workman's Benefit Fund. The Navy took it over during World War II and later passed it on to a German Club, which owned it until the 1970s. The pool was later turned over to the township in 1977.

Summer festivals at the Barness include the "Cool Eats Family Fun Day," "Floatin' Fridays," and a Christmas in July.

Mary Barness Community Pool of Warrington: 2501 Freedoms Way, 215-343-6910, open May 27 to Sept. 4

  • Fees for residents: Seniors ages 62 and older ($135), individuals ages 15 and older ($185), families ($460)

  • Fees for non-residents: Seniors ages 62 and older ($185), individuals ages 15 and older ($230), families ($560)

Menlo Aquatics Center of Perkasie

For years, Perkasie has redefined the doggy paddle. The borough-owned aquatic center allows four-legged friends into the pool during specially timed "Doogy Dips" for pooches.

The Perkasie Borough Department of Recreation also uses its Menlo Aquatics Center for quiet, sensory swims to aid those with mental challenges. Spray features are turned off and diving is prohibited in times for swimmers with sensory challenges.

Perkasie has an eight-lane "competition pool" as its main attraction, a leisure pool with a beach-style entrance, a whirlpool and lazy river, and a baby pool with a frog slide and whale spout.

Menlo Aquatics Center of Perkasie: 425 Arthur Ave., 215-423-7126, open May 29 to Sept. 4

  • Membership fees for residents: Seniors $65, individuals ($110), two persons ($210), three ($270), four ($330)

  • Membership fees for non-residents: Seniors ($150), individuals ($190), two persons ($370), three ($450), four ($530)

Nockamixon State Park Swimming Pool

Among the most massive swimming holes in Pennsylvania, the pool at Nockamixon State Park spans a half-acre for the most ambitious swimmers. The shallow end has two waterslides and fountains for kids.

If you get hungry, Nockamixon also has a restaurant and rentable pavilions.

Nockamixon State Park Swimming Pool: 1542 Mountain View Drive, 215-529-7300 – open Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends

  • Season passes: One person ($94), two ($187), three ($248), four ($308), five ($369), six ($451)

  • Daily passes: $13 for all except children under 3 feet tall

Neshaminy State Park Pool in Bensalem

If you're big on toys, you should check out swimming pool at Neshaminy State Park. The aquatic center run by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources rents out beach balls, ring floats, water balls, and water blasters.

Be warned: Neshaminy is a cash-only operation, and the state park located in Bensalem has no ATMs on the property. In this expansive 339-acre park, many enjoy summer picnics at provided charcoal grill stations and picnic tables.

Neshaminy State has a single pool measuring only four feet in depth, so diving is prohibited. The aquatic center has large bathrooms but lacks lockers.

Neshamimy State Park Swimming Pool: located at the intersection of State and Dunksferry roads, 888-727-2757 – open Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends

  • Daily pass: $13

  • Season pass: $175

Oxford Valley Pool in Bristol Township

Situated in an wooded valley off Lake Caroline, the Oxford Valley Pool is a county operation. The pool is 164-feet wide with a smaller wading pool for the tikes.

Bucks County fosters a PENN swim team as part of the Lower Bucks Swim League with twice weekly swim meets.

Oxford Valley Pool: 445 Hood Boulevard, Fairless Hills, 215-949-2975, open Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends

  • Daily pass for county residents: Children and seniors ($7), adults ($8)

  • Daily pass for non-residents: Children and seniors ($14), adults ($18)

Pinewood Pool of Falls Township

A piece of Levittown lore, the Pinewood Pool of Falls Township is one of the last remaining recreational centers built by celebrated architect William Levitt in his construction of a planned suburban community outside Philadelphia.

Most of the properties run by the Levittown Public Recreation Association are no more. Falls Township saved the Pinewood Pool – part of Levittown's Pinewood section — in 1998 when it was doomed to close after 45 years.

Swimming in money from trash deposit fees at Waste Management's GROWS landfill on the Delaware River, Falls Township spent $2.1 million to renovate the Pinewood Pool in 2003, officials said at the time.

Falls has maintained the main pool, diving well, and a toddler pool with mushroom-shaped fountains for 20 years.

Pinewood Pool: 1 Pine Lake Park Drive, Levittown, 215-949-2960, open Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends

  • Resident membership fees: Seniors ($109), singles ($185), two persons ($305), three ($315), four ($325)

  • Non-resident membership fees: Seniors ($129), singles ($305), two persons ($435), three ($445), four ($455)

Quakertown Community Pool

Constructed in 1959, the Quaketown Community Pool is considered a work of art.

The borough pool was designed to feature along its underwater floor a dragonfly which was — according to artist Eric Brannaka — an expression of darkness and light.

This summer, the Quakertown Pool is to reopen with a 24-foot slide, baby pool and splash pad.

So, dive in.

Quakertown Community Pool: 601 W Mill St, Quakertown, 267-372-7275 – open June 13 to Labor Day

  • Resident membership fees: Seniors 62 and older ($80), individuals ($90), two persons ($175), three ($230), four ($285)

  • Non-resident memberships: Seniors 62 and older ($110), individuals ($125), two people ($245), three ($330), four ($415)

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County's best swimming pools where you should swim this summer