Oceanway Pool

Swimming for free. That’s pretty awesome when you have young kids, especially if you’re a parent like me and abhor the beach! When my two daughters were growing up, we lived only about a mile from this public pool, so I use to bring them pretty often. They always had a great time and It never cost me a penny. Another big bonus for a single mom!
This pool is associated with Jacksonville’s City Parks and they do a great job at keeping it well-​maintained. There are always lifeguards on duty and they do a great job.
The pool is it is always very crowded. Always! But the lifeguards keep things orderly and keep all the kids in check. They are quick to blow a whistle if someone is doing something they aren’t suppose to be doing.
The pool is nice and large. So even though it’s crowded, there’s still plenty of room for you and your family to have your own space to play around. If you’re looking to swim laps here, it’s not going to happen. The lifeguards to have anyone under the age of 18 get out of the pool every hour or so and allow the adults to have like 15 minutes of peace and quite in the pool without kids screaming and splashing them in the face.
There are very few pool lounges here, so you won’t be likely to get one. There are no tables with umbrellas to shield you from the sun either. The concrete around the pool gets very hot, so make sure to bring a lawn chair with you to sit in, or bring extra towels to put down and sit on. Speaking of which, do make sure to bring your own towels for drying off. Also, make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and use it often. There is zero shade anywhere.
There are bathrooms available. I think there may also be showers inside? I never used them, so I can’t speak for the cleanliness.
I highly recommend the Oceanway Pool if you’re looking for something free to do with your kids on a hot summer day!