New Features­—Hot Tub, Grills, Slides—Coming to CA Pools This Summer

Expect to see a number of new features like water slides, basketball hoops and grills at certain Columbia Association pools this summer.

Upgrades to pool facilities will be or already have been installed at Faulkner Ridge, Stevens Forest, Talbott Springs, Bryant Woods, Thunder Hill and Clary’s Forest.

“We hope that these additional amenities will attract more people to use these pools,” said John Herdson, CA’s aquatics director, in an email.

At Stevens Forest in Oakland Mills a new 1,600-foot pavilion is already open. The pavilion will be used for exercise classes as well as to provide shade for members. The floor of the pavilion is made with a rubberized structure to prevent injuries while exercising.

Nearby the pavilion, construction workers are finishing up a new hot tub that sits across from the Stevens Forest pool. The hot tub, which will be for ages 16 and up, is scheduled to open in mid-June. The look of Stevens Forest has also been improved. CA took down chain link fencing that previously surrounded the wading pool and replaced it with an ornamental fence. CA also installed a new shade canopy over the wading pool.

“Stevens Forest is a good destination for an adult-friendly pool,” said Herdson, in an email, “though it remains welcoming to swimmers of all ages.”

At Talbott Springs, a 10-foot high water slide will be installed sometime in July, according to Herdson.

Faulkner Ridge will receive a new tropical fish slide in the wading pool. It will be similar to the frog slides at Huntington and Longfellow and is designed for kids 6 and under, said Herdson. A new water basketball hoop is also being added to the pool.

New gas barbecue grills have been installed at both Faulkner Ridge and Talbott Springs for members’ use.

At Bryant Woods and Thunder Hill, CA removed the aging chain link fence and installed new ornamental fences.

Columbia Association pools are open to CA residents through a variety of membership packages. Click here for a full list of pool hours.

What do you think of the new amenities?

Editor's note: An original version of this story stated the 10-foot water slide will be added to Faulkner Ridge, in fact it will be added to Talbott Springs.