South Run Rec Center vs. Audrey Moore Rec Center (Springfield: house, pre-school)

[jillabean]

I am having so much fun swimming this summer (for my workout) that I think I don't want to give it up come fall. I did some searching and I think my best bet would be a pool at a county rec center. It looks like where I live in West Springfield, both South Run Rec Center and Audrey Moore Rec centers are roughly the same distance away and both have pools.

Does anyone have any recommendations for quality and convenience? It would be nice if I could swim laps while my 7-year-old participates in a kids activity or sport (if that's even possible). Or maybe I should think of it as, I can swim laps while she does an activity (since swimming laps isn't structured with a specific time and I can be flexible). That's my primary wish. Second would be a relatively easy drive and access (not over crowded--I can actually find a parking spot).

Thanks!

PS- I should note that it looks like lap swimming is limited to weekends at both pools. It's kind of a bummer, but I will take any laps I can get. Swimming is my favorite exercise--so some is better than none.

[bornindc]

My kids take all kinds of classes at various RECenters year-round.

At this link: Parktakes Online*- Fairfax County, Virginia you can look up classes that will fit your schedule and your child's interests.

I haven't been to South Run but Audrey Moore has plenty of parking and is easy to get in and out of. I've been to Lee, Providence and Mt. Vernon and they are similarly user-friendly so I would expect South Run to be the same.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by bornindc

My kids take all kinds of classes at various RECenters year-round.

At this link: Parktakes Online*- Fairfax County, Virginia you can look up classes that will fit your schedule and your child's interests.

I haven't been to South Run but Audrey Moore has plenty of parking and is easy to get in and out of. I've been to Lee, Providence and Mt. Vernon and they are similarly user-friendly so I would expect South Run to be the same.

I agree with everything bornindc posted. I have also been to South Run and it is a nice facility as well.

My kids (ages 8 and 11) have taken classes at RECenters and the only "dud" we experienced was an art class at Lee District RECenter back during pre-school age, and I think that was a not-so-great instructor vs. a facility issue.

[mlv311]

My children have taken swimming classes at both and we have gone swimming, as a family, at both. We prefer South Run over Audrey Moore for swimming. I understand the importance of convenience for regular exercise, but just as a fyi, Cub Run has a nice pool.

[tgbwc]

The pool at South Run is much brighter. AM always seems so dark to me and tougher to see. That's the only big difference that has occurred to me as far as the pools go.

[claremarie]

"I should note that it looks like lap swimming is limited to weekends at both pools. It's kind of a bummer, but I will take any laps I can get. Swimming is my favorite exercise--so some is better than none."

Perhaps the various rec centers have very different schedules, but I regularly swam at Spring Hill on weekdays for years. Even when there are swim or water aerobics classes taking place, there are usually at least a few lanes set aside for lap swimming. Call the pools and ask when lap lanes are available before you decide on a pool. In my experience, the best times were after lunch but before after-school lessons and swim team practices. And if you have a rec center membership, you can swim at both places....

[jillabean]

Thank you everyone

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by claremarie

"I should note that it looks like lap swimming is limited to weekends at both pools. It's kind of a bummer, but I will take any laps I can get. Swimming is my favorite exercise--so some is better than none."

Perhaps the various rec centers have very different schedules, but I regularly swam at Spring Hill on weekdays for years. Even when there are swim or water aerobics classes taking place, there are usually at least a few lanes set aside for lap swimming. Call the pools and ask when lap lanes are available before you decide on a pool. In my experience, the best times were after lunch but before after-school lessons and swim team practices. And if you have a rec center membership, you can swim at both places....

You raise a great point - with summer camps going on right now, lap swimming *may* be reduced for July and August, but things may "go back to normal" once school resumes. The advice to call the pool is excellent as summertime tends to switch all sorts of things around.

[Shelborne_22033]

I've swum laps at Cub Run, Audrey Moore and Oak Marr. My favorite water is Oak Marr. The environment may be more conducive to lap swimming but water quality is what keeps me coming back.

[jillabean]

Thanks for the tip on Oak Marr. I need to look up and see where it is in relation to my house to make sure it's practical for me.