About
Dempsey Pool, located at 933 Hawthorne Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45205, is a recreational aquatic facility operated by the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC). It is designed with family-friendly features, including a zero-depth entry, a slide, and various spray features, making it a popular spot for community enjoyment.
All pools operated by the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, including Dempsey Pool, are heated. While specific daily temperatures are not typically published, heated recreational pools generally maintain a comfortable temperature for swimmers, often in the range of 78-82°F (25.5-27.7°C).
What are people saying (AI review summary)? This public pool, known for its slides, offers an affordable entry fee ($2 for kids, $6 for adults) and provides free swim trunks for children. It generally closes at 6 PM (7 PM on Saturday), is closed on Sunday, and will close for heavy rain or thunder. Kids over 8 can enter unsupervised with a waiver. While it's appreciated for being close, safe, and providing a fun environment for children, especially for learning to swim, it faces several challenges. These include limited seating, no snacks or outside food allowed due to cleanup issues, and a lack of garbage bins. Many unsupervised children often lead to a 'mad house' atmosphere, with lifeguards constantly blowing whistles. There are frequent 30-minute pool closures due to kids throwing up, particularly when crowded. Some patrons find the closing time too early in the summer. A significant concern is the strict age/height requirements (8 years old and 48 inches tall) for slides and the 'arms-reach' rule for young swimmers, even for confident ones, which some find overly restrictive and a waste of taxpayer money, especially when the pool is not busy and there are numerous staff members present. Despite these issues, the staff is generally described as nice, and the pool as clean and safe.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Good for Children
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
July 12th, 2025Risha R
Great pool with slides. $2 for kids $6 adults, best price around. Closes at 6pm usually except 7pm Saturday. Closed Sunday. Will stay open if it's raining lightly but will close if there's hard rain or thunder. Kids over age 8 can go without a parent if parent signs a waiver. They have free swim trunks for kids that don't have them. Street clothes not allowed. Many unsupervised kids means it's kind of a mad house. Lifeguards are always on the lookout, whistles always going off. It's a bit crazy when it's busy but that's the public pool right? No snacks sold. You aren't allowed to bring food and it's easy to see why. People don't clean up. There aren't any garbage bins which doesn't help, but it's obvious why they didn't set any out. My kids have fun usually, except when it's too crowded on weekends. Half the time, especially when young kids are there (life jackets all used), someone throws up and we have to clear the pool for 30 minutes. Seating is limited so bring a portable chair just in case.
June 17th, 2025Lynn Long
Love the pool and it’s great for the kids but they close a little too early in the summer. Should at least stay open till 7. BUT TY, glad you’re here and close and safe.
August 19th, 2023Mary Whitaker
This pool has loads of potential, too bad the taxpayers money is being wasted. Was so disappointed recently. Took my grandchildren to Dempsey Aquatic Center. It’s a public Cincinnati pool. Small fee to get in. Supported largely by tax payers. The pool has 2 slides, very similar to ones pictured here. My grandchildren were so excited for this adventure. When we arrived there were 6 life guards around the pool. There were at least a half dozen other employees nearby. For the first hour, we were the only ones there. The maximum while there was about 15 patrons. The kids were not allowed to use the slides. They had to be 8 years old and 48 inches tall. They also were not allowed in the pool unless they were in arms reach of me. I’m not sure how 1 adult is supposed to do that with 2 children who are both good and confident swimmers. It was a disheartening day and a huge waste of taxpayer money. Why pay people to watch children who were not allowed to do anything?
June 12th, 2023Dean C.
Nice, clean, safe, nice staff..let the kids have fun, learn to swim. Enjoy life.
June 7th, 2023Kristan Coffman
👋 my children and I can't wait for Monday the 12th to come! We have
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 12:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00 – 7:00 PM |
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