Piney Branch Pool lives again

The pool will be open for early bird lap-swimming before school hours, for swim lessons and recreational swimming in the evenings and on Sundays, and for rental for classes and parties. Those interested in teaching classes or proposing other pool programs can email PoolPrograms@acsgw.org.

Ever since the pool was drained and padlocked in August of 2007, the community has been fighting to save the pool from demolition. The school system saw the Piney Branch Pool as an anomaly and no longer wanted responsibility for it, even though it was built inside a public school. Montgomery County Recreation Department was no longer willing to run a pool that doesn't fit the model of larger, elaborate indoor pools which bring in more revenue upcounty. The City of Takoma Park considered whether the pool could be converted into the long-awaited city gym, but yet another school gym would not give the city the kind of access they need.

A coalition of informal "Save the Pool Committee" members met for over a year, trying to find a solution to the conundrum of how to preserve this unique resource in a time of scarce resources. County Councilmember George Leventhal led the effort, with support from Councilmembers Valerie Ervin and Marc Elrich, Board of Education member Chris Barclay, Takoma Park Mayor Bruce Williams and City Councilmembers including Colleen Clay, Josh Wright and Dan Robinson, City Recreation Committee members led by Kay Daniels-Cohen, and community, PTA and student activists. The students of Piney Branch Elementary school, who swim in the pool during gym class, gathered hundreds of names on petitions, and lobbied government officials. They pointed out that generations of Takoma Park and East Silver Spring natives first learned to swim in the Piney Branch Pool. 

The PBES community organized to reopen the pool. Shown here is student Heather DeMocker getting signatures for their petition at the Farmers Market in September 2007. 

Finally, City Councilmember Terry Seamens had a brainstorm and pitched the idea to ACSGW President Ron Wylie. Wylie's organization supports local families through a food bank, computer and English classes, and many other services. Wylie saw the abandoned pool at the heart of Maple Avenue as part of their mission. "We are honored to be asked by the community to yet again serve local low-income families in a way that promotes health, wellness and recreation," said Wylie.

Ron Wylie of Adventist Community Services addressed the crowd at the ceremonial opening of the PBES pool January 6. (Many of the teachers and speakers wore leis for the occasion.)

The County Council liked the idea of channeling funding for the pool through a community non-profit such as ACSGW and voted to approve funding that would allow for repairing the pool and reopening it this year. Robin Riley from the Aquatics Division of the County's Recreation Department coordinated the pool repairs, even installing new drain guards to bring the pool up to the latest safety codes.

Now that the pool is operating again, we need to prove to the County that they should continue funding the pool. That means using the pool, and showing the County that it is not obsolete just because it is small. "The pool is a great resource for both the school kids and community. It had been a real disappointment that it fell into disuse," says City Councilmember Seamens. "The reopening is great not just because it gives people an opportunity to swim, but it's a great community-building tool."

Already, we must begin the battle for funding to keep the pool open next year. Part of the reason the pool fell into disrepair is because nobody knew it was there. The pool is local, efficient, good for your body, and cheaper than going to the movies. In these dark days of winter, come swim with your neighbors and show the County that Maple Avenue deserves and needs this pool.  

Piney Branch 5th graders poolside at the ceremony.

Principal Intern Amy Alonso, Takoma Park Councilmember Terry Seamens, Board of Education member Chris Barclay, Adventist Community Services Director Ron Wylie.

Left to right: Director of County Recreation Gabe Albomoz, County Council President George Leventhal, Sue Katz Miller and Mayor Bruce Williams, still wet from his ceremonial plunge.

PBES principal Bertram Generlette slid down the slide in Olympic form to celebrate the pool opening.

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