Best Public Pools In Minnesota
Minnesota has no shortage of sportage when it comes to public pools. Here are five well-appointed Minnesota pools with contact information and the more desirable features of each.
Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center
14421 Johnny Cake Ridge Road
Apple Valley, MN
(952) 953-2399
www.ci.apple-valley.mn.us
Price: $9 daily, $6 after 5 p.m.
This aquatic center is mammoth. It has a capacity of 1,900 and an aquatic activity for everyone. The leisure pool is like a beach with zero depth entry along the longest side. It is great for toddlers and offers several interactive water features. The wet sand play area attracts kids for building sand castles and messing around. The Lazy River is fun for families and allows adults to bring smaller children along for the ride. Every slide has a depth six inches shallower than the minimum height for riders of that slide. This way, non-swimmers can stand up with their head above the water. One slide has a 42" height minimum, another a 46" height minimum and the drop slides offer swimmers a full 12 feet of water. The water walking track and two Sand Volleyball Courts offer more opportunities for adult fun and exercise.
Tropics Indoor Waterpark
Shoreview Community Center
4600 Victoria St. N.
Shoreview, MN 55126
(651) 490-4700
www.shoreviewcommunitycenter.com
Price: $9.95 for 18+, $8.95 for youth and seniors
Experience a three-story "Shark Attack" water slide for less than one-quarter of the cost of commercial indoor waterparks. Riders choose from over 100 songs in a unique jukebox system for a thrilling custom music and light show down every twist and turn of the serpentine slide as it drops out near the pool play area. Toddlers will like Shipwreck Beach with a zero-depth play area, a large interactive palm tree that sprays water, a shipwreck boat slide and an amusing and stimulating water walk. Older kids will love the main pool with slam-dunk basketball, water volleyball, giant floating sea creatures and a couple of swimming lanes. Adults can get away from the hubbub in the patio area or the adult-only whirlpool hot tub.
Edinborough Park
7700 York Ave. S.
Edina, MN 55435
(952) 833-9540
www.edinamn.gov
Price: $7 daily
The highlight of Edinborough is the junior-Olympic size swimming pool in a one-acre Adventure Park. The six-lane pool is 25 yards long, ideal for lap swimmers, swimming families and active older adults. This immense park includes a fitness gym with a variety of cardio and strength equipment, an indoor multi-purpose play area and a running track. The three-lane track allows for running, jogging and walking. Pathways connect each feature as they wind through the completely enclosed, attractively landscaped one-acre indoor park.
Related: Best Public Pools In Minnesota
Brooklyn Center Community Center Pool & Waterslide
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
(763) 569-3300
www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org
Price: $5.75 daily for ages 15 to 61, $4.75 youth and seniors, $3.75 without water slide
The prices at Brooklyn Center Community Pool are so affordable, one need not buy an expensive club membership. People any age can enjoy the many features offered here. The pool is near Olympics sized at 50 meters. Many features attract fun-seekers such as the 150' water slide, diving boards and zero depth entry wading pool. Adults will love the spacious workout room outfitted with all the standard cardio and weight machines.
Anoka Aquatic Center
1551 7th Ave.
Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 421-7730
www.ci.anoka.mn.us
Price: $6.50 adults, $5.00 youth under 42" and senior's (62+ years)
New for 2015, swimmers can scale the climbing walls at Anoka Aquatic Center up to 12 feet and drop into water below. As always, fun-seekers will find the 200-foot waterslide, smaller slides, a water play creation that sprays and spouts and a one-meter diving board. Tykes will like the zero-depth entry pool area with a vast shallow play area. Adults are accommodated with over 250 lounge chairs, five large shade umbrellas, an adventure walk and a sand volleyball court. Families will appreciate the large concession stand and the George Green Park picnic space and playground next to the Aquatic Center.
Related: Best Hotel Pools In Minnesota
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.