About
Facility featuring multiple swimming pools of varying depths and diving boards, plus locker rooms.
Specific pool temperatures for the Melvin Ford Aquatic Center are not publicly advertised. As a seasonal outdoor facility, the water temperatures typically fluctuate with ambient weather conditions.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? This facility receives mixed reviews but is generally praised for its beauty, cleanliness, and well-maintained grounds, with many reviewers commending the friendly and amazing staff/lifeguards. It's often highlighted as an affordable summer option, featuring a beautiful pool and park, ample parking, and clean, spacious restrooms, showers, and changing areas. Visitors appreciate the option to use community center passes and the availability of concessions. However, significant criticisms are raised, particularly concerning the strict age policy that prohibits children under 12 from using the pool before noon, even on weekends, which causes frustration among families regarding access to a taxpayer-funded facility. Other downsides include minimal shade, necessitating sunscreen, and strict enforcement of rules, such as not being allowed to sit in empty chairs during lap swim. Practical advice includes bringing life vests for small children and being aware of the kiddy pool and shallow areas.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Good for Children
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Accepts Credit Cards
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
August 6th, 2024Lexi Goforth
This place is beautiful and so well kept!! They keep the place so nice and clean and the staff are amazing!! The cheapest pool around and the best place to be all summer long!
August 3rd, 2024Thomas Wilson
Families are second class citizens at this place. Came by on a Saturday morning at 9:30am on the hottest day of the year. There was only one person in the pool. Why you ask? Because this place doesn’t allow anyone under 12 years old before 12pm, even on weekends. Makes you wonder why taxpayers paid for this facility, only to be blocked from using it for most of the time. Absolutely ridiculous- I would expect much more for a city where most folks have children.
June 22nd, 2025Janice
Beautiful pool and park, ample parking, with possible exception during swim meet. Clean and spacious restrooms, showers and changing area. Minimal shade, don't forget your sunscreen.
July 2nd, 2025Katie Meredith
Apparently you can't sit in one of the 200 empty chairs during lap swim. They will definitely let you pay and not say a word to you up front but will quickly tell you to leave once they have your money.
August 22nd, 2023Allesha Bond
This was our first visit to the public pool. We were able to get in with our Bentonville community center pass which was very nice. We visited right before all the kids were due to go back to school but it was busy. If you haven't been and you have small children, I'll give some advice. When you exit the locker rooms turn right. To the right there is the kiddy pool (1 ft deep) and the more shallow end of the big pool (3 ft deep to the deeper end). Bring a life vest for kiddos who can't swim and don't forget your sunblock (only one end of the pool is shaded). The life guards were all very nice. We didn't get anything from the concession stand but I saw others enjoying several items like pretzels, chips, and snow cones. The locker room was pretty clean and there was plenty of room to change and shower.
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
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