Schmidt Pool

Schmidt Playground Pool is located at 113-123 W. Ontario St.
Phone: (215) 685-9895
Schmidt Playground Facebook (last update 2021)

Rectangle pool raised above ground level on two sides
Ladders for entry/exit to water
Stairs or ramp to enter pool deck
Warm water / Direct sun
Water depth 3-5 ft
No lap lines
Belongings must be stored outside of pool deck
Modern playground enhanced with sprinkler!

#MyPhillyPoolTour2024
JULY 3-
Pool looks like it will be filled in a couple of hours, but they are not officially opening until next week.

View of pool being filled up on July 3 2024

JULY 13- We are back at Schmidt today, which appears to be open and was recommended to us by the camp staff at 12th and Cambria playground earlier this afternoon, so happy that our final tour stop for the day is going to result in a successful dip!

  • Doorway to small indoor facility building next to restrooms
    Door to small indoor facility building next to restrooms
  • toilet stalls are re-fitted with bars for accessibility
    Toilet stalls are re-fitted with bars for accessibility
  • long shot of restroom stalls where swimmers can change / use toilets
    Restroom doors are propped open leading to stalls
  • outside wall of pool where swimmers have stowed their belongings
    Swimmers and pool guests keep belongings outside of the pool deck on the wall. Lots of deck area around this raised rectangular pool
  • Modern playground next to pool with sprinkler on to minimize heat in direct sun
    Modern playground next to pool being cooled off by sprinkler
  • view of rectangular swimming pool through fence
    View of rectangular swimming pool through fence
  • Towering gate at entrance to pool
    Towering gate at entrance to pool
  • View of hole in fence alongside pool that has been repaird with zip ties
    Hole in fence alongside pool has been repaird with zip ties

According to lifeguard who is now working their their fifth season, Schmidt is the “calmest pool in Philadelphia” apparently because simply not a lot of people utilize this space.
This remodeled little playground includes some really fun climbing equipment that has been enhanced by a lawn sprinkler installed to keep things wet and cooler while kids climb.We drove past a really nice splash garden about a block south on Howard Street, but it’s been nice to see the innovation different playgrounds take with adding play to the ground in the heat.The pool itself has a handicap ramp leading to the pool deck, and the double stall restrooms have been fitted with railings, although it would be a tight squeeze for a wheelchair.
There’s no lines and the pool is very compact (and would be more like a half or third lap if you swam from end to end).
There were only ladders to get out of the pool and the maximum depth is 5 feet. It’s a pretty small pool. although there is a wheelchair ramp to the pool deck, there is no wheelchair lift to get someone in and out of the water automatically, and there are no stairs in and out of the pool. However, the call manager is assisted that staff would be happy to help anyone in and out of the pool if they needed assistance, and did not have an assistant with them, to which an adult in the pool ( having heard our conversation ) loudly and emotionally exclaimed, “that’s really nice! “
Of course it is a very nice sentiment (one which will hopefully be enhanced with equipment to make everyone’s job easier, including and especially the bather).
People were having a great time in the pool and on the playground adjacent.
Looks like someone had broken the pool fence at some point and it was temporarily repaired with cable ties Reminded me of my wayward teenage days of nighttime pool crashing…
I will add today’s newer photos