Philly’s disability specific recreation center Carousel House has been closed since 2021 amid promises that all recreation centers would be retrofitted for wheelchair accessibility as part of the Rebuild Philadelphia project, which has expressly promised to expand access citywide. Additionally, after belated community meetings with stakeholders, it has been promised that Philadelphia’s hub of disability focused programming would return to Carousel House once it is rebuilt. These extensive upgrades are all reportedly in the works right now, although there is no evidence at the site of active construction.
Meanitme, the absence of a swimming facility designed and staffed specifically for disabled folks has made navigating Philadelphia’s “general population” pools stressful for those with mobility concerns.

The Parks ad Rec finder provides a general message on their Swimming Pool Finder page which indicates that maybe there are chairs in the rec centers that have previously had them, but to call ahead. The notice on their Carousel House Programs Page lists the same pools but instructs those who need to use the lifts to simply notify a lifeguard.
Aalas there were some chair lifts in the 2024 that were not on these lists (Shuler Pool, Athletic Pool) , and many of the chairs on and off of the lists were nonfunctional due to batteries that died in between seasons and were not replaced during visits to each pool in the month of July (Kelly Pool, Mander Pool, Bridesburg Pool, Christie Pool, Simpson, Shuler).

CHART OF CHAIR LIFTS AND NOTES FROM 2024 SEASON
*Indicates locations that were not on Recreation Department Lists
** Indicates locations that were listed on Phila.gov but did not have functional lifts

Adding to the expressed frustration and confusion experienced by disabled would-be swimmers is the fact that most Rec Centers don’t answer the telephone, and repeat voicemail messages go unanswered. This is extra hard to swallow given that folks who need accommodation (or who wish to participate in special services like group fitness classes) are instructed on the City’s website to call the Pool ahead of time to make arrangements.
These obstacles to accessibility are insurmountable to disabled people. Imagine having to schedule a paratransit pickup to get to a pool listed as having operational equipment but they don’t, and even if the guards are friendly and offer to assist, you would have to be comfortable receiving that assistance from a stranger, or you would go without.

Our disabled neighbors, family and friends deserve better. it is imperative for Philly residents to reach out directly to your councilperson and make demand that these lifts are functional (along with the phone numbers to the rec centers) by the 2025.season. It’s not just a good idea, it is the law.

This situation must not repeat itself next year! Please make time to demand resolution from City of Philadelphia leadership before the 2025 season!

Sensory Swim Sessions

2023 kicked off a special program at select neighborhood pools for persons with autism and their families. These swim sessions were created specifically for persons of all ages on the autism spectrum who can be easily overstimulated during crowded and noisy public “free swims” or even family swims. In 2023 six pools participated and in 2024 that number was increased to 8 pools.
Here is the list of pools that offered Sensory Swim Hours in 2023 & 2024
(* indicates a newly added 2024 pool)“
Barry Pool 1800 Johnson St.,19145 (2024=Sundays12 p.m.-1 p.m)
Fox Chase Pool 7901 Ridgeway St., 19111 (2024=Thursdays5 p.m.-7 p.m)
Gathers Pool * 2501-19 W. DiamondSt.,19121 (2024=Fridays10 a.m.-11 a.m)
.J. Finnegan Pool 6801 Grovers Ave., 19142 (2024=Fridays12 p.m.-1 p.m.) Kendrick Pool 5822 Ridge Ave., 19128 (2024=Sundays12 p.m.-1 p.m)
Mitchell Pool 3700 Whitehall Ln., 19114 (2024=Fridays5 p.m.-7 p.m).
Scanlon 1099 E. Tioga St., 19134 (2024=Fridays5 p.m.-7 p.m.)
Vogt 4131 Unruh Ave., 19135 (2024=Wednesdays5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.)According to the City website, autistic persons (no age restrictions) are welcome to attend sensory swim with their families and caregivers and are encouraged to register in advance (but not directed regarding how to do so) . A 2024 article in the Philadelphia Inquirer mentioned the relief that parents and caregivers experienced meeting other families affected by autism and neurodivergence in their local pools. Hopefully this program will eventually expand to every City pool at different hours so that on any given day, autistic persons my choose to swim in a neurodivergence-aware space.
If your playground does not yet offer sensory swim, and you would like it to, reach out to parksandrecreation@phila.gov as well as the P&R Director of Incusion, Gwen Vidale