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Pools Opening June 20 for the 2026 Season

Four municipal pools will open as scheduled; one facility will remain closed due to infrastructure and safety concerns
Posted on: June 15, 2026 - 10:27am
Pools Opening June 20 for the 2026 Season

Summer is Here and the East Hartford Pools Will Open June 20th! 

Admission is free for East Hartford residents, with proof of residency required for all adults and children ages 7 and up. Acceptable forms of ID include CT Driver’s License, a state issued ID card, 2025-2026 East Hartford Public Schools ID, or a Parks and Recreation ID card, which is available for children ages 7-15 at the Parks and Recreation office located at 50 Chapman Place. The fee for an ID card is $10.00 and it is valid for three years. Anyone age 7 and older who does not have proof of residency will be charged the non-resident daily rate, which is $15.00 per person.  

We offer a variety of programming at the pools, including group, semi-private and private swim lessons, adult lap swim, senior swim, Aqua Zumba® and more. Please see our Summer Program Guide for more information on our swim lessons and programs. Registration is accepted online for most programs at www.ehparks.org. Birthday parties are available at Goldstar and Lord pools on Saturdays throughout the summer, and may be reserved online at www.ehparks.org.

Important to note for Summer 2026, the pool at Martin Park will not be operating this year. After extensive evaluation, the Town has determined that the facility cannot safely operate. The pool’s aging infrastructure requires repairs that are more extensive than routine maintenance and cannot be completed in time for summer operations. 

For generations, Martin Park pool (built in 1938) has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood and a place where children, families, and neighbors gather throughout the summer. We understand that its closure creates real challenges, particularly for families who rely on it as an affordable and accessible place to stay active, stay cool, and connect with their community. 

While this decision was not made lightly, safety must remain our top priority. At the same time, we are committed to working with residents and community partners to identity alternatives for this summer and to evaluation long-term options for the future of the facility.  

The Parks and Recreation team are actively exploring aquatics solutions for the neighborhood and wider community, and will provide updates as they become available.  

Drennan Pool will offer extended hours on Saturday and Sunday for the 2026 Season: 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. with additional evening public swim hours during the weeks of June 22–26, 2026 (Monday–Friday) and August 10–14, 2026 (Monday–Friday) extended to 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

All other pools will operate as usual, and more information regarding hours can be found at eashartfordct.gov/parks-recreation.  

A number of events and activities are planned for the summer, including two splash parties scheduled for July 11 and August 1 at Goldstar Pool, and Lord Pool, respectively. Information regarding events and activities can be found at easthartfordt.gov/parks-recreation.