Category:Fountain Park Pool, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Fountain Park Pool is a closed public swimming pool in southern Allentown. It is located just to the west of South 10th street and Martin Luther King Drive in Fountain Park.

The pool was the site of the origional Allentown sewage treatment plant before the Klein's Island plant was built in 1928. When the former location was shut down, the substructre was there and in 1929, the city decided it could be the site of a public swimming pool. It was the first artifical pool in Allentown with a water circulation system.

The plant was converted into two swimming pools. One pool was a deep one for experienced swimmers, while a second pool varied in depth for the accomodation of wading children to beginner swimmers. Both of the pools were quite large, measuring 150 x 30 feet to accomodate a large number of swimmers.

It was the third public swimming pool in Allentown, the first being Cedar Beach and later the pool at Jordan Park. At its opening, Nationally-known celeberty Johnny Weismuller, an Olympic Gold Medal swimmer in the 1924 and 1928 games was on hand at the opening of the pool, giving a demonstration of his swimming skills; handing out leaflets and giving autographs.

In 1931, a bathhouse was opened which was a conversion of the origional sewage pumping station, along with a parking lot for cars. The bathhouse was equipped with showers, seperate changing areas for men and women and also a small concession stand. In addition, a sandy beach area was added where people wishing to sun themselves in a 'beach' envirormnent could be accomodated. Swimming classes were also held in the beginner pool. as well as swim meets along with the general swimmer use. The pool was used by the public for many years, primarily by those living in South Allentown.

In 1937 a proposal was made to improve Fountain Park Pool into a single swiming pool, as most people knew how to swim. The seperation between the pools would be eliminated, however a smaller, toddler pool would be constructed for them. It was not until after World War II, in September 1954, that Fountain Park Pool was closed and rebuilt and a new pool opened at the end of July 1955 along with the current poolhouse. The wading pool, was opened in June 1957.

In 1982, the pool and bathouse recieved a $105,000 upgrade. It was the first time in 25 years the pool was modernsed. New restrooms were constructed, along with new lifeguard chairs and pool ladders. In additon the pool was resealed and the electrical and mechanical systems were upgraded. The pool reopened in July 1984.

At the end of the 2005 summer season, the pool was closed due to a broken filter. In the years since, the pool has never been reopened by the Allentown Parks and Recreation Department. The unused poolhouse was later turned into a winter "Warming Station" in 2015 though 2018 for Allentown's homeless population.