RVA's Public Pools: Carter Park Pool

Want to enjoy the pool as a family for under $30? I have a place for you to check out: Carter Park Pool.

It located in Ashland, Virginia, so it's very convenient if you live in Hanover County. If you don't live in Hanover, it's still worth the day pass! It's less than 35 minutes from Midlothian, the City of Richmond and Henrico County.

Located in Ashland, Carter Park has a playground, picnic shelter with grills, and a basketball court. In the summer, the highlight of this park is its public pool! It opens for Memorial Day weekend, and then opens for the season on June 1 through September 1, 2025.

Carter Park Pool is a junior olympic-sized pool with zero entry. The main pool also has a tube slide, 8-lanes, dumping buckets and splash fountain. It also has a baby pool for children under 5 years old.

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Where is Carter Park Pool Located?

Location: 1112 Maple Street, Ashland, Virginia, 23005

Distance from RVA: It's 29 minutes from The West End of Henrico, 23 minutes from The City of Richmond, and 32 minutes from Midlothian.

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Carter Park Pool in Ashland with kids!

Summer 2025 Kickoff Event: Carter Park Pool is open for Memorial Day Weekend. The kickoff pool party is from 12pm to 2pm on Saturday, May 24, and guests can enjoy $2 hotdogs, chips, music and games!

Carter Park Pool has a large, main pool that has a zero entry area, little-kid friendly play area, and it connects to the slide area and the main lap swimming area. You will also find a baby pool, bathrooms, including a family restroom and showers, on the expansive pool deck.

The Main Pool: Carter Park's main pool is an 8-lane junior olympic sized pool. It has steps to enter the lap swimming area, and it connects to an open swim area with zero entry. It goes up to 6 feet deep.

You will find lounge chairs and picnic tables with umbrellas around the edges of the pool.

The Swirling Water Slide: This tall water slide is for guests who are at least 44 inches tall, and weigh 250 pounds or less. You must be able to ride solo down the slide, and you must be able to swim.

The Baby Pool: This kiddie pool is reserved for children under 5 years old. This pool is zero entry and goes to 1 foot deep. It has a couple of water spouts and a soft turtle that sprays water. While it is in the main pool area, it is separated from the rest of the pool with a gate that locks. Swim diapers must be used!

Seating and Shade: The pool deck has seating all around it. You will find lounge chairs, picnic tables with umbrellas and benches. There is a limited number of seats, so if you visit on a weekend or holiday, you may want to bring your own chairs. While there are a couple spaces with sun shades, the pool deck has full sun.

Make sure to wear sunscreen, sun shirts, and hats! The pool deck can get hot, so make sure your kiddos have easy to slip on shoes, too.

The Bathrooms and Showers: Carter Park Pool has a men's and women's bathroom with showers, changing table, and a place to change. There is also a family bathroom with a changing table and private shower and space to change.

The Park: Carter Park also has a playground, basketball court, picnic shelter with grills, and a large grassy lawn. There is fantastic tree coverage around the picnic shelter and playground. You will find swings, an accessible playground with ramps, slides, and climbing structures.

The playground has pretty good shade in the afternoons too, so this is a great one to visit on hot days!

Important Questions about Carter Park Pool:

1.How much does it cost to visit Carter Park Pool?

Daily admission costs $7 per person on weekdays, and $10 per person on weekends. Everyone over the age of 3 years old must pay a daily entrance fee for admission or have a pool membership. Children 3 and younger may visit the pool for free.

You can also purchase a 10-Pass Pack for $65. This is a good deal if you plan on visiting more than once or if you want to share it with friends

Pool memberships and pool scholarships are available at Ashland Town Hall. You must be an Ashland resident to qualify for the scholarship program.

2. Who can use Carter Park Pool?

Carter Park Pool is a public pool in Ashland, Virginia. It is open to both Ashland residents and non-residents. You must pay for admission to enjoy the pool, though.

3. When is Carter Park Pool open?

It is open for Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-26). It's open for the 2025 summer season between May 30 and August 17. The pool is open on August 23-23, and August 30 to September 1, 2025.

Carter Park Pool is open Monday to Friday from 12pm to 7 pm, and it's open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 7pm.

To check on pool closures due to weather, call (804)798-2520.

Just so you know: Carter Park Pool is home to the Ashland Barracudas. The pool cannot be used by the public during swim team practice, and the pool is closed to the public during swim meets. Swim practice is held on weekday mornings, so the pool opens at noon on Monday through Friday.

Carter Park Pool closes early on home swim meets:

• Friday, May 9th - closing at 4pm

• Wednesday, July 16th - closing at 5pm

• Tuesday, June 17th - closing at 3pm

• Wednesday, July 2nd - closing at 3pm

• Tuesday, July 8th - closing at 3pm

4. Can my child swim without me in the pool?

Children under 11 years old must have a responsible adult with them at all times. "At all times" means within an arms reach.

Children over the age of 11 are permitted in the pool alone, but can lose swimming privilege if he or she creates a health or safety risk.

5. Can you bring in outside food and drink to the pool?

Yes, you can bring your own food and drink. There is a water fountain, but you will want to pack everything you need to eat and drink while you're at the pool. The vending machine and concessions are not open this season.

Glass containers are not allowed inside the pool deck. No food or drink are allowed in the actual pool. Alcohol is not allowed except at authorized events.

6. Are inflatables allowed at the pool?

No, inflatables and pool toys are not allowed unless there is a special event.

7. Can I reserve the pool for private parties?

Carter Park Pool can be reserved by guests for private events from 7pm to 10pm. You must submit your request 3 weeks in advance.

8. Does the pool offer swim lessons?

Swim lessons are available twice a day on Monday-Thursday. Since these lessons are hosted by The Patrick Henry YMCA, you must register for swim lessons through the YMCA of Richmond's website.

things to do with kids in RVA, Richmond's public pools, Virginia summer bucket list

Looking for more water play around RVA? Check out my 2024 Guide to RVA Splash Parks!

Ready to hit the beach? Check out my guide on Swimming Beaches less than 2 hours from RVA!

For more things to do with kids around Richmond, follow me on @thewestendmom on Instagram!