Swimming Pool
Sports Activity Location

University of Delaware Outdoor Pool

551 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19716, USA

103 Reviews

About

Pool with water slides, a kiddie splash area and clean facilities.

The outdoor pool is heated, ensuring a comfortable swimming experience for patrons. Specific temperature values are generally not publicly listed, but the heating system maintains a pleasant water temperature throughout its operating season.

What are people saying (AI review summary)? The UD outdoor pool elicits mixed feedback. Many patrons appreciate its cleanliness, spaciousness with ample seating and shade, and well-maintained facilities. Highlights include a fun, large main pool with slides, a dedicated and well-equipped kiddie pool, and the availability of life jackets. The staff, including lifeguards, are often described as kind, attentive, and vigilant in enforcing safety rules. A snack bar and lockers are also available. However, a significant point of contention for some families is the perceived strictness of lifeguards, who are reported to reprimand children for what some consider normal 'fun' activities like enthusiastic jumping or splashing, leading to a 'boring' experience for some. There's also criticism regarding a lack of privacy in the open-style changing rooms and suggestions for adding more diverse outdoor activities.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

  • Accepts Credit Cards
  • Parking Lot
  • Accessible Entrance

Reviews

Listing Reviews
J Bella August 17th, 2025
J Bella

Are your kids boring? Don’t like to have fun? Do your kids enjoy being reprimanded for being kids? If you’ve answered yes to any of these then you are perfect for the UD outdoor pool! We are a family of 7. This is our second year here. It was the “not fun pool” last year, but my wife insisted we sign up again - but, we definitely not be signing up next year. Lifeguards reprimand kids for jumping into the pool in any way that looks fun (twisting, a little run and jump too much). Splashing a little too much or do anything that can be interrogated as too much fun will get you in trouble. Today, the UD cheer team was at the pool doing stunts and flips, standing on shoulders, why a separate set of rules? Rules are rules, right? Save yourself the boredom and your money and find a different pool - you’ll thank me! Good riddance UD Pool!

Jimmy Murillo Gelvez August 23rd, 2019
Jimmy Murillo Gelvez

It's a great facility with enough space for swimming and sunbathing, even at peak hours. Slides are short but fun, staff is kind, and fast food is good for the price. Make sure to take advantage of the free entrance if you're a UD student taking classes during the summer.

Emily Hagelberg August 25th, 2022
Emily Hagelberg

The pool is big, clean, and staff is attentive and helpful. We love the kiddie pool especially! It has many fountains and "splashers" with a graded entrance on one side and a small kid's slide. It's fenced off from the big pool so you don't have to worry about little guys taking off for deep water. They've got life jackets in kid and adult sizes if you need them. Main pool has water slides, lots of deck chairs, and huge umbrellas for shade. Absolutely worth the membership!

Valerie Semenoro June 22nd, 2021
Valerie Semenoro

Close nice spot, would be better if they added more outdoor activities like table tennis ,tether ball , volleyball… things like that. Great icecream spot next to it also.

Sarah Fleetwood June 2nd, 2018
Sarah Fleetwood

My daughter loves this pool. It's big, there's always enough kids for an only child like her to find someone to play with, and the water slides and other features are fun. Pool toys and noodles are allowed and the pool offers life vests for those who want them. There is a secure area with zero entry and splash fun for little ones. As a parent, I love that there are so many chairs and shade areas that I can always find a seat in the shade. The pool and pool area are always very clean and well maintained. The lifeguards take their jobs seriously, here. They enforce common sense safety rules and seem vigilant. There is a snack bar with average food you'd expect for a place like this. There is seating both in and outside the pool deck for picnics and eating. The are also lockers on the pool deck for storing valuables. As a criticism, there are clean showers, toilets, and a changing area, but no privacy for changing. It is an open locker room style area without privacy dividers. Makes it difficult for parents with kids of opposite gender.

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Opening Hours

Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
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