Lombard Park District

In the Swim: Where Downers Grove Goes to Cool Off

For as many years as anyone can remember, the absence of an outdoor public pool has been a hot topic in Downers Grove.

Without fail, the issue rears its ugly head when the temperatures break 70 degrees and the kids have long empty hours on their hands. However, while the convenience and, in some cases, the affordability of a pool may be as lacking as the facility itself, there places where area residents can go to cool off.

The Pool Pass Exchange program is an agreement negotiated by the Downers Grove Park District which allows residents to swim at pools in neighboring communities at resident rates. These include Woodridge Park District’s Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Center, Lombard’s Paradise Bay Water Park, and the Butterfield Park District Recreation and Aquatic Center.

Summer family membership rates for these facilities cost approximately $130 to $300 per season. Additionally, daily passes are available for families not wishing or able to take on an entire season. Daily passes to area water parks cost less than $15/day.

Downers Grove resident David Fisher, who is a former member of the Downers Grove Swim and Racquet Club board of directors, decided to purchase a family membership at Cypress Cove. At approximately one-third of the cost of the private club, his children have a great place to play. With a number of slides, a playground, and lazy river, Cypress Cove is a great water park, Fisher said. 

Downers Grove’s private pools, the Downers Grove Swim and Racquet Club (DGSRC) and Maple Hill Swim Club, continue to accept new members. The Orchard Brook subdivision has a swimming pool; however its membership is limited to residents who pay for the pool through an annual assessment.  

The DGSRC is situated on a 20-acre campus which includes a recreational, lap and wading pools, as well as tennis and volleyball courts. A season membership costs $420 plus a $274 capital assessment.

Maple Hill Swim Club, originally known as Belmont Pool, has been in the community since the 1920s. At first a public pool, the facility closed during the 1950s. When it was then purchased by some area families, it became a private, member-owned and operated pool.

Karen Martisek, general manager of Maple Hill, said that the club is a nice alternative for people wanting to swim within the community who don't require the bells and whistles offered by some of the water parks.

Summer Page Ideas at the Lombard Park District — Lombard news ...

Looking for a creative way to record great memories of an unforgettable summer? Join us on Thursday, July 14th for Summer Page Ideas, a scrapbooking workshop through the Lombard Park District. This 2-hour class is for adults ages 18 and up and will take place at the Sunset Knoll Recreation Center in Lombard from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A small fee of $13 for residents and $15 for non-residents will cover the cost of materials. Creative Memories consultant, Sandi Fischer will be instructing the class and helping you create a beautiful space for your unforgettable memories.

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