Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

You don't need to go to a gym or park to get in a quick workout...why not swing by one of our indoor pools for a quick water exercise class! Campus Hills Pool and Edison Johnson Aquatics Center offer a variety of Water Exercise options for participants to feel the burn and break a sweat! Each class offers a total workout while protecting joints from the pounding of a traditional land aerobics class. The program is designed to utilize the natural resistance of water allowing for muscle toning, cardiovascular endurance, and increased flexibility. And the best thing...participants do not need to know how to swim to join in the fun! Check out our current Water Exercise classes taking place this Fall and next Spring by visiting ActiveNet . Please note, drop-in fees do apply and a multi-visit pass is available for purchase on a Play More Card at a discounted rate per class. Now let's meet the amazing Water Aerobics Instructors that will be leading you in your next workout in the wate...

Lifeguarding has been seen traditionally as a summer job for teenagers, but did you know Durham Parks and Recreation employs lifeguards year-round? Campus Hills Pool and Edison Johnson Aquatic Center are two of the City of Durham's Indoor year-round facilities. Regardless of the season, the pool is always 84 degrees and open for the community with lifeguards always present in case of an emergency. Durham Parks and Recreation is continually recruiting, training, and hiring lifeguards to keep pools open and swimmers safe. In our recruitment efforts, Durham Parks and Recreation is offering FREE American Red Cross Lifeguard Training classes through our Durham Aquatic School (DAS). These training classes, normally a $190 cost, are offered in the hope that class participants will take their hard-earned lifeguarding certification and work for Durham Parks and Recreation. Additionally, by providing the training at no cost, the City of Durham aims to remove the barrier for entry and make ...

Summer is in full swing and so are our outdoor pools and spraygrounds! We maintain three outdoor seasonal pools and four spraygrounds for individuals and families to enjoy water activities, water exercise, and swim lessons. And they're ready to be used at their fullest potential. Forest Hills Pool 1639 University Drive 919-560-4782 Hours of Operation Hillside Pool 1221 Sawyer Street 919-560-4783 Hours of Operation Long Meadow Pool 917 Liberty Street 919-560-4204 Hours of Operation All youth and teens under 18 years of age must have an account set up by a parent/guardian in  ActiveNet  prior to utilizing the pool alone for open rec swim. All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied in the pool area at all times by someone at least 16 years of age or older. Children 5 years and younger are required to be accompanied by someone at least 16 years of age or older in the water. Everyone who enters the pool must pay the admission fee including persons who are observ...

Love spending time at the pool? Consider yourself a strong swimmer? We're hiring Lifeguards to join the Durham Parks and Recreation Aquatics team! Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. Consider  applying to work  with us today. Below is more information about the position as well as how you can learn more about what our Aquatics departments offers to Durham residents. Job Description & Benefits Duties/Responsibilities Disciplines all patrons who violate pool safety rules. Observes pool area with strict safety measure. Teaches swimming classes organized by the Recreation Department. Aids in reorganizing swimming team(s) and carries out swimming meets. Treats minor injuries with basic first aid. Assists in the pool and bathhouse maintenance assigned by the Pool Manager. Encourages participants to take part in the Water Safety Program. Assists in maintaining a high water quality. Performs related task as required. Minimum Qualificat...

It has been a few weeks since the reopening of our indoor pools and we couldn't be more excited to offer Durham residents a safe place to reserve lap swim lanes! To ensure the safety of our patrons, our Aquatics staff have developed and are implementing a variety of safety measures to be followed in our facilities. This blog post will share everything to expect during your reservation: Upon arrival all patrons will need to have a face covering on or one will be provided. Please scan the QR code on the entrance door (if you have a smart phone) and complete the wellness screen.  Staff will be available to verbally ask you the questions and record your answers, if you need assistance. You will need to answer all of the questions then stop and show the staff the "cleared" screen before hitting the "submit" button.  Staff will have you step inside and you will be asked to sanitize your hands and step up to the front desk to pay or use your passes to swim.  Then you w...

By: Cynthia Booth, Public Affairs Specialist Who's ready to get their swim on!? We're excited to announce that the Edison Johnson Aquatics Center and Campus Hills Pool are now open for lap swim by reservation only . Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we will follow the safety guidelines as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) . Operations are subject to change based on public health data and trends.  All patrons are required to complete a DPR Wellness Screening Survey and temperature check before entering the facility. While in the facility, patrons must practice social distancing and wear a face mask, except when swimming or showering. Patrons must refrain from interactions with other patrons and any prolonged conversation with staff. For additional guidelines, visit DPR’s Indoor Pool Lap Lane Reservations page online . The indoor pools will be open on Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will be closed on Sunday. Swimmers can reserve...

Do you enjoy spending time at the pool? Do you have strong swimming skills? We're hiring full-time, part-time and seasonal Lifeguards to join the Durham Parks and Recreation Aquatics team! Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. Consider applying to work with us today. Below is more information about the position as well as how you can learn more about what our Aquatics departments offers to Durham residents. Job Description & Benefits Duties/Responsibilities Observes pool area with strict safety measure. Disciplines all patrons who violate pool safety rules. Teaches swimming classes organized by the Recreation Department. Aids in reorganizing swimming team(s) and carries out swimming meets. Treats minor injuries with basic first aid. Assists in the pool and bathhouse maintenance assigned by the Pool Manager. Encourages participants to take part in the Water Safety Program. Assists in maintaining a high water quality. Pe...

By: Matthew Sprouse, Senior Aquatics Specialist Lifeguarding is typically considered a summer job for teenagers, but did you know Durham Parks and Recreation employs lifeguards year-round of all ages? Campus Hills Pool and Edison Johnson Aquatic Center operate all year. Even in the middle of winter, the pool is always 84 degrees and open for lap swim, and there are always lifeguards present in case of an emergency. Durham Parks and Recreation is always recruiting, training, and hiring lifeguards to keep pools open and swimmers safe. Part of this recruitment effort is Durham Parks and Recreation’s Durham Aquatic School. For the last 19 years, Durham Parks and Recreation has been holding free American Red Cross Lifeguard Training classes in the early spring to start the process of recruiting staff to work at the pools during the summer when lifeguards are needed most. These training classes, normally a $190 cost, are offered free of charge to anyone with no strings attached. By off...

By: Matthew Sprouse, Senior Aquatics Specialist at Campus Hills Pool Once a year at Campus Hills Pool, Durham Parks and Recreation puts on a unique and challenging event for those willing to take on a challenge of craftsmanship and creativity. The Cardboard Boat Race has participants construct a boat of only two supplies: cardboard and duct tape and then see how far across the twenty-five yard pool a boat can last. Two participants between the ages of 6 and 15 are given canoe paddles to power their boat across the pool. Awards are given out for the event for the boat that makes it across the quickest with the participants still above the water. Prizes are also given out for the most creatively-designed boat, the pair that shows the best teamwork, and even an award for the boat that sinks the quickest after being pushed off (the Titanic award). This year, the event will be held at Campus Hills Pool from 3pm-5pm on Saturday, November 17. Only one participant needs to register for...