Park Review: Lake Johnson Pool

Lake Johnson Pool in southwest Raleigh features a sprayground, wading pool and main pool.

Posted 12:58 a.m. Jul 1, 2011 — Updated 12:58 a.m. Jul 1, 2011

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

With summer in full swing now, here's another look at one of Raleigh's pools and spraygrounds.

Lake Johnson Pool sits off Athens Drive in southwest Raleigh. The outdoor complex, which is open from May to September, includes a wading pool, sprayground and main pool.

The sprayground is similar to the one at Millbrook Exchange Park in north Raleigh with pieces that spray water at you or dump water on you (a hit with bigger kids, but not with my 21-month-old). The wading pool, which gets no deeper than 18 inches in the middle, is smaller than the wading pool at Millbrook Exchange, but it includes a shower feature at one end, which is a lot of fun.

The main pool is open with special times for lap swimmers and recreational swimmers. It's also where swim lessons are held.

Lifeguards are stationed at the main pool, wading pool and sprayground at all times. And there are fences that surround the sprayground and wading pool so you don't have to worry about your little ones running off. There also are some tents set up around the wading pool for shade, which was a great place during snack time.

There are locker rooms and changing areas. And as you might expect from an older public complex, they've seen better days. But they get the job done.

Lake Johnson's wading pool and sprayground are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Open swim in the main pool, where your kids can splash, is from noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Click here for more details about other Raleigh pools.

A note: Lake Johnson will close at 4 p.m. on July 4 and 4:30 p.m. July 5 for a swim meet.

Lake Johnson Pool is located at 1416 Athens Dr. And while Lake Johnson Pool is near Raleigh's Lake Johnson Park (a great place to go for a walk, jog or pedal boat ride), it's not really connected to that park. So be sure to check the map before you go. (I made the mistake of not doing this my very first time I went to the pool and it took me forever to find it).

Watch the video to get a closer look at Lake Johnson Pool. And for information about other public pools in the area, click here.

Looking for other things to do with the kids? Check our park and playground reviews and Triangle family destinations.

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