Blue Ash has a new outdoor pool complex, and it opened just in time for summer. The Blue Ash Recreation Center Pool Complex — a complete rebuild of the facility at 4433 Cooper Road — opened June 26, replacing the original pool that had served the community for decades.
For Cincinnati-area families who aren’t Blue Ash residents, the pool is part of the Recreation Center’s membership system — non-members can visit as guests. The facility is about 15 minutes northeast of downtown Cincinnati.
What’s New in the Main Pool
The main pool is largely a new build rather than a renovation. Zero-depth entry makes the pool accessible for young children and anyone with mobility limitations, with ADA-accessible handrails along the walk-in area. Social stairs — wide, in-water steps — run along part of the pool perimeter, giving families a place to sit in the water without committing to a full swim.
The slide situation is considerably expanded. A new slide tower holds three slides: a speed slide, a tube slide and an open-air slide. All three require riders to be at least 48 inches tall and to ride feet-first on their back with arms crossed. A separate family slide is a dual-rider option built for a parent and child together; it has a maximum rider height of 48 inches rather than a minimum, so it’s aimed at the younger set. Children are permitted to use the slides during adult swim, which runs 15 minutes at the top of each hour.
A vortex feature uses water jets to create a circular current in part of the pool — usable for play or for resisted walking. The pool deck was redesigned with significantly more shade, both on-deck and over in-water areas, which was one of the top requests in the community survey. A turfed green space adjacent to the pool gives families somewhere to set up without sitting on hot concrete.
The Family Wading Pool
The Family Wading Pool, which predates this renovation, was not part of the rebuild and remains unchanged. It has zero-depth entries, spray features, a dump bucket, a wet bubble and a slide, and it’s open to all ages. The bubble is open to all ages during regular hours but is limited to users under 42 inches tall during adult swim. The wading pool runs shorter hours than the main pool on weekdays after Aug. 15 — worth knowing if a wading-pool-only trip is the plan.
What’s Not Finished Yet
The diving board and several additional site amenities were not yet installed at opening, according to the city’s announcement. The city chose to open the pool rather than delay for the remaining finishing touches. Check the project updates page for the latest on those additions.
The tennis and pickleball courts that are part of the same renovation project are still under construction and are expected to open later this summer. That portion of the complex includes six pickleball courts, updated tennis courts, improved lighting and shaded gathering areas between the courts.
Membership and Guest Access
The Recreation Center operates on a membership system. Blue Ash resident memberships run $75 for an individual or $150 for a family annually. Non-residents who work at Blue Ash businesses pay $225 for an individual or $450 for a family. Senior and disability discounts cut those rates by 50%. Memberships are purchased in person at the Welcome Desk and require proof of residency or employment.
Non-members can visit as guests. Daily guest fees are $10 for ages 16 to 61 and $5 for ages 3 to 15 and 62 and older. Members receive a set number of free guest passes per year — three for individual memberships, five for family memberships — with additional passes available in bulk at $50 for 10. Guest access can be limited when the facility is at or near capacity, so a busy Saturday afternoon is a reasonable time to call ahead.
Children 11 and under must be accompanied by someone 15 or older throughout the facility. For the main pool, children who are not toilet trained are required to wear swim diapers.
Plan Your Visit
Blue Ash Recreation Center
4433 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242
(513) 745-8550
Pool Hours (June 26 – Aug. 14)
Main Pool: Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday through Friday noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wading Pool: Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday through Friday noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Slides: Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; Monday through Friday noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday noon to 8 p.m.
Pool Hours (Aug. 15 – Sept. 4)
Main Pool: Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday through Friday 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wading Pool: Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Slides: Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; Monday through Friday 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday noon to 8 p.m.
Admission
Included with Recreation Center membership. Guest fees: $10 per day (ages 16–61); $5 per day (ages 3–15 and 62+).
Resident membership: $75/individual, $150/family annually. Memberships purchased at the Welcome Desk.
For current pool hours, capacity updates and membership information, visit blueashparksandrec.com.
