Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility
FACILITY HOURS & ADDRESS
ADDRESS
3795 W Braddock Rd | 703.746.5479
Center Director: Bailey Stapleton
M, T, Th: 6-9 p.m.
W: 6-7 p.m.
Fr: Special events only
Sa-Su: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
TRAINING POOL
- Sa-Su: 2-6:30 p.m.
*Pool closes 15 minutes prior to facility closure
FACILITY AMENITIES
Competition-standard pool (Lap Swim), Smaller Accessible Training Pool for Therapeutic Swimming (10 degrees warmer; Open Swim), Free Parking Lot, DASH Bus Stop on Campus
- Admission must be purchased inside the recreation center
Directions
How to Enter
Program Guide
View Other Seasonal Hours
Seasonal Hours
February: Calendar | Lane Reservations
March: Lap Lane Schedule
Winter Break
December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026
M-Su: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Please note: On Monday, December 22, pool hours will be temporarily adjusted to 2–7 p.m. for staff training. Regular winter break hours will resume on Tuesday, December 23.
*Pool closes 15 minutes prior to facility closure
Holiday Schedules
Spring Break
March 30 – April 3, 2026
M-Su: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
*Pool closes 15 minutes prior to facility closure
Holiday Schedules
Summer Hours
June 15 – August 16, 2026
M-Su: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
*Pool closes 15 minutes prior to facility closure
Holiday Schedules
Aquatics Facility Entrance*
How to Enter
To locate the pool, park in the Minnie Howard Campus parking lot*, and walk up the sidewalk on Braddock Road facing the school. Take a right at the Alexandria City High School Athletic Center & Fields Sign and walk up the fenced asphalt. Then turn right again and enter through door #8 (Labeled as the Athletic Center).
*The upper lot by the fields is open during rec use time and can be utilized for closer parking.
For ADA accommodations, please call 703.746.5479.
Pass & Daily Visit Fees
Fees are subject to change.
Pool Daily Admission Fees
- Child (0-4) $0 Resident / Non-resident $2
- Youth (5-17) $6 Resident / Non-resident $7
- Adult (18+) $9 Resident / Non-resident $12
- Senior (60+) $7.20 Resident / Non-resident $12
- Adult Chaperone with Youth (not participating) $1 Resident / Non-resident $4
Season Pass & Financial Assistance Information
Season PASSES
Includes use of pool (Minnie Howard or Chinquapin), fitness room, locker room, sauna, drop-in racquetball play, and certain drop-in fitness classes (Chinquapin Only).
- Individual Fitness Pass - 25 Visits, valid for 12 months
- Youth (5-17) $130 Resident / $200 Non-resident
- Adult (18+) $160 Resident / $250 Non-resident
- Senior (60+) $128 Resident / $250 Non-resident
- 1-month Unlimited Fitness Pass
- Single $55 Resident / $100 Non-resident
- 2 Persons $95 Resident / $175 Non-resident
- Senior (60+) - Single $44 Resident / $100 Non-resident
- Senior (60+) - 2 Persons $76 Resident / $175 Non-resident
- 6-month Unlimited Fitness Pass
- Single $260 Resident / $500 Non-resident
- 2 Persons $450 Resident / $875 Non-resident
- Senior (60+) - Single $208 Resident / $500 Non-resident
- Senior (60+) - 2 Persons $360 Resident / $875 Non-resident
- Family (up to 4 Persons) $515 Resident / NA
- 12-month Unlimited Fitness Pass
- Single $465 Resident / $885 Non-resident
- 2 Persons $805 Resident / $1,454 Non-resident
- Senior - Single $372 Resident / $885 Non-resident
- Senior - 2 Persons $644 Resident / $1,454 Non-resident
- Family (up to 4 Persons) $909 / NA
FEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR CITY RESIDENTS
The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities encourages participation in City services from all City residents. If you, a member of your family, or a friend would like to purchase an Aquatics Pass and are in need of fee assistance in order to participate, please view the Financial Assistance Policy or contact the sponsoring program office for more detailed information. Financial Assistance Requests can be filled out at the pool or emailed to Chinquapin@alexandriava.gov. For fee assistance information, call 703.746.5414 or (TTY) 703.838.4902.
Please Note: All teenagers, 13 through 17 years of age, must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a paying adult (18+) unless their parent or guardian has completed a Teen Registration Form. All children 12 years of age and younger must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a paying adult (18+). This includes adults being in direct line of sight of children/youth while they swim, either viewed from the pool deck or from the water. Children 5 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult (18+) in in the pool with them, and within arm's length at all times. All guests ages 13 and older are required to show a current photo ID card (school ID cards may be used). This policy is necessary to maintain safety and enjoyment at the City's swimming pools.
Pool Tips & Rules
Pool Rules
ATTIRE:
- Proper swimwear is required at all times. Swimwear should be tight-fitting, clean, and water-safe. Pool attire should be clean and water safe. Prohibited items include denim, excessively loose or bulky clothing, street shoes, and thong bottoms. Unsure? Ask a staff member.
Bathers who are not toilet-trained or who are incontinent must wear a swim diaper or tight-fitting plastic pants.
ADMISSION:
- Guests must shower before each entry into the pool.
- Only pass holders, daily admission guests, and registered participants are allowed in the pool area.
- Only service animals are welcome.
- Teens 13–17 must be supervised within direct line of sight by a paying adult (18+) unless a Teen Registration Form is on file. Children 12 & under must be with an adult at all times; ages 5 & under require the adult in the water within arm’s reach. Guests 13+ must show a photo ID. This ensures safety for everyone at the pool.
- Follow usage policies and age guidelines posted in each activity area.
- Patrons known to have or suspected of having a communicable or skin disease, diarrhea in the past two weeks, open wounds, inflamed eyes, or nasal or ear discharge, are not permitted in the pool.
- The following are not permitted: firearms, alcohol, illegal drugs, smoking and smokeless tobacco, gum, food in activity areas, and inappropriate behavior and language.
DIVING CONDUCT:
- Diving area consists of diving board, ladder, and diving well.
- Only one guest is permitted on the diving board at a time.
- Each guest must wait to climb the ladder until the diving well is clear.
- Catching guests off the board is not permitted.
- Guests may only spring on the board once.
- Guests may only dive straight off the end of the board. Flips, cartwheels, and handstands are prohibited.
- Goggles and flotation devices may not be worn, while diving off the board.
- Guests must swim directly to the nearest ladder and exit the pool.
- General swimming is permitted in the diving well area when the diving boards are closed and lifeguard is in stand.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE:
- Food is prohibited in the pool area and locker rooms.
- Use resealable, non-glass beverage containers.
LOCKER ROOMS AND SHOWERS:
- Men's, women's, and universal locker rooms with showers are available at each pool. You may bring a lock for a day-use locker or bring your personal items to the pool deck.
- City of Alexandria is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Please secure all belongings with personal locks in the lockers provided, not on the floor or surrounding areas. All lockers will be emptied nightly, so please remove belongings and locks when finished.
- Children with special needs or under age six may use the opposite gender’s locker room accompanied by a guardian. Guardians must protect the privacy of other users. (RPCA 9.7)
- Video and photography are prohibited in locker rooms.
- Do not use razors or shaving items in showers.
- Conserve water. Please limit showers to 15 minutes.
- Loitering is prohibited.
POOL ITEMS:
- Ask staff before bringing pool toys or swim gear from home.
- Only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are allowed. No inflatable floats or water wings. Anyone wearing a life jacket must stay within arm’s reach of an adult.
- Swim training equipment is authorized for instructed class or program use only unless staff provides approval.
- Staff may remove any item for safety reasons. Free life jackets are available to borrow.
POOL AND SWIM CONDUCT:
- Do not drink pool water.
- Video and still photography are only permitted with permission.
- Children four years and under or non-proficient swimmers should remain in shallow area or must be within arm’s reach of an adult while in the pool.
- Lap swim is permitted in designated areas. When more than two swimmers are in a lane, please circle swim counter-clockwise.
- City staff may prohibit any behavior deemed unsafe or disruptive. Diving, pushing, back dives, flips, spins from the side of the pool, prolonged underwater swimming, and breath-holding are prohibited.
- Lane or Zone Assignment: Lanes and zones are designated for lap swim, open swim, programs, and rentals. A staff member can assist you with finding a lane or zone for your visit.
SAFETY BREAKS:
- When the weather is hot or the pool is crowded, lifeguards will blow their whistles to signal safety breaks from the 45-minute mark to the top of the hour, hourly. During safety breaks, only adults may remain in the water, and some zones may be closed (such as diving boards and the training pool). Safety breaks are a great time for lifeguards and swimmers to get some shade, rehydrate, use the restroom, and reapply sunscreen to ensure that the fun can safely continue after the break.
Inclement Weather:
- Participants in an aquatic class cancelled due to inclement weather may receive a credit for the missed class depending on how much time was lost; credits are applied at the end of the season.
Open Swimming & Safety Swim Test
Open swimming is first-come, first-served on a drop-in basis. Adult swimmers and youth swimmers* can use the diving well when available.
*Youth swimmers must pass the swim test before going to the diving well or using the diving board. Please see a staff member to take the swim test and get a wristband upon successful completion of the test.
Safety Swim Test
Enter the water and submerge head and continue.
Swim the length of the pool (25 yards) without stopping and demonstrating freestyle or breaststroke with good breath control (no 'heads up' swimming) and remaining on their front.
Tread water for 30 seconds.
Lap Swimming
Lap swimming is first-come, first-served on a drop-in basis. When swimming in a lane with other swimmers, please let others know you are entering the lane. For 2 swimmers, split the lane, with each swimmer staying on 1 side of the pool respectively; for 3+ swimmers, circle swim counterclockwise (always stay to your right).
