SOAKED IN HISTORY: Dive Into Colman Pool
Whether you’re looking for a cool, watery oasis to escape the summer heat, somewhere to snap out a few laps before a day at the office, or searching for one of the best views in Seattle, there’s a swimming hole in West Seattle that’s just as scenic as a dip the Sound, but considerably warmer: Colman Pool.
The huge, heated Olympic-sized pool contains 500,000 gallons of saltwater straight from Puget Sound maintained at comfortable of 84-85 degrees. Whether you’re 7 or 77, this 50-meter mecca for water sports is the perfect place to work out or play all summer long. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Colman offers pool parties, recreational public swims, fun family swims, invigorating lap swims (with fast, medium and easy lane options), coached Masters Workouts, a diving board and a wild ride on the Corkscrew slide.
Located on the “point” at Lincoln Park, getting there is half the fun. Residents can bike, scoot, skate and walk along the waterside path, or trek from the north parking lot past the playground and through the urban forest down a steep trail to the pool. One of the city’s best kept secrets, many Seattleites don’t even know it exists.
There’s a special feeling at Colman. Some say it’s the scenery. It could be endorphins. But it’s probably because the pool is soaked in Seattle history. Step inside the front door and you’ll notice the historical mural of the Colman legacy painted by Nylund, an artist also known to have graced the walls of the Whitehouse. Every image in the mural has something to do with the Colman family and their West Seattle community during the times when you had to take a boat to get to West Seattle. The Colman family was paramount in starting the Fauntleroy Church and YMCA. Ken Colman built the pool to create an active outlet for youth and then donated it to the City of Seattle as a memorial to his father Lawrence.
