Aquatics

BHCC_pool-glamour.jpg

Overview

The City of Menlo Park's two swim centers, Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool are operated by local partner Menlo Swim and Sport under contract with the City. Visit the Menlo Swim and Sport website to learn more about aquatic programs, including pool schedules, recreational swim, lap swim, masters, swim lessons, youth teams, swim camps, and entry fees.

Menlo Swim and Sport website

Locations

Belle Haven Pool
 100 Terminal Ave.
Menlo Park, CA 94025 
Belle Haven Pool details

Burgess Pool
 501 Laurel St.
Menlo Park, CA 94025 
Burgess Pool facility details

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Aquatics survey results

The City of Menlo Park annually conducts a citywide survey to gain insight into Menlo Park residents’ needs and preferences for the City’s two swim centers, Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool. 

The 2024 aquatics user survey results were presented to City Council on November 19, 2024.

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See the 2024 survey results(PDF, 3MB)

The 2024 survey was open from Oct. 12, 2024 to Nov. 11, 2024. The survey was distributed in English and Spanish through direct email; via printed surveys distributed in City facilities; and through postcards mailed to all households in District 1. The survey received responses from 766 participants, approximately three-quarters of whom self-identified as incorporated City of Menlo Park residents. Additionally, 777 free-text comments were shared.

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Aquatics working group

Belle-Haven-Pool..jpg The aquatics working group is an opportunity for community members to participate in intimate "focus group" sessions to provide feedback and gain insight about the programs and services at Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool. Sessions are open to all interested community members. The aquatics working group is intended to be a community-based forum for community members to engage directly with City staff and the aquatics operator. It is not intended as a formal public meeting, and City Councilmembers generally do not attend, in accordance with Brown Act requirements that discussions and/or decisions that involve a quorum of the City Council be made only during a formal, public, noticed meeting.

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Summaries of aquatics working group feedback

July 15, 2025
Held at Belle Haven Pool
The July 15 session was attended by approximately 22 participants, most of whom had attended previous sessions. The July 15 agenda(PDF, 2MB) was primarily focused on:
  1. Reviewing feedback from the June 17 session
  2. Report-outs on working group members' word-of-mouth efforts to promote aquatics
  3. Review of proposed pool schedules after summer season ends. 

See the agenda(PDF, 2MB) for additional details on the above.

Over the course of the session, participants’ comments were captured on a poster board(PDF, 2MB).

 

June 17, 2025
Held at Belle Haven Pool
The June 17 session was attended by approximately 19 participants, most of whom had attended previous sessions. The June 17 agenda(PDF, 362KB) was primarily focused on:
  1. Reviewing responses to the feedback from the May 20 session prepared by city staff and the aquatics operator (see below table)
  2. Reviewing current efforts to promote the aquatics program
  3. Organizing Belle Haven neighborhood volunteers to assist with a hyperlocal word-of-mouth campaign to promote aquatics. 
Over the course of the session, participants’ comments were captured on a poster board(PDF, 12MB).
 
Ref # Feedback from participants at the May 20 session Responses by city staff and aquatics operator
1 Beautiful facility Thank you!
2 Need to consult the community about classes, times Thank you for your comment. Community input is welcomed and sought on a contnuous basis. Staff and the operator are excited to work with neighborhood groups and CBOs on a word-of-mouth promotional effort. The annual citywide aquatics survey was conducted in November 2024. Two aquatics open houses were held in early 2025. The aquatics working group was formed and has met four times in 2025. Visitors are encouraged to offer feedback in the suggestion boxes located at both pools. The Parks and Recreation Commission held a public meetings about the aquatics program most recently in January. City Council has held multiple public meetings about the aquatics program most recently on Feb. 11, Apr. 15, and May 13.
3 Where are nearby residents? Need more outreach – neighborhood groups are happy to help! Thank you for your comment. It is hoped that the aquatics working group and engaged community members to identify and coordinate with neighborhood groups on a word-of-mouth effort. In addition, a citywide mailer promoting the pools will be delivered to every Menlo Park household this week.
4 Need more offerings for students in local schools Menlo Swim and Sport has partnerships with Beechwood School, Ravenswood City School District, and Menlo Park City School District to promote City pools and make swimming part of their respective summer programs.
5 Hours are too short; pool closes too early in the evening for working adults Thank you for your comment. It would be ideal to keep the pool open later in the evenings, and it is hoped that attendance will increase over the summer to support later hours. (Belle Haven Pool is currently open until 7pm weekdays and 5pm weekends)
6 Swim pass should have reciprocity between Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool Swim passes are reciprocal and work at both pools.
7 Advertise youth swim more, for example in the City’s activity guide Swimming is advertised in the City's activity guide, as well as in City newsletters, on banners, and on flyers and video screens at City facilities.
8 Instructors who speak Spanish Menlo Swim and Sport employs instructors who speak Spanish, and is actively seeking more through hiring/training incentives like on-the-jhob training and lifeguard certification classes.
9 The Belle Haven Swim Team has been doing outreach to local schools, churches Thank you for your comment.
10 Adjacent communities like Redwood City don’t have pools – do outreach there Non-residents are very welcome to visit City of Menlo Park pools. The CIty's primary focus is to encourage Menlo Park residents to use Belle Haven Pool, especially residents who live in the immediate vicinity of the pool.
11 Questions – who is responsible for outreach, the City or the Operator? Thank you for your comment. All parties have a role to play in outreach to ensure the pools' success -- City, pool operator and community.
12 Outreach to Kelly Park users (soccer teams, etc.) Thank you for the suggestion.
13 Traffic varies by time of day – hard to get here; timing of classes is important Thank you for your comment. The operator tries to take the traffic into account when creating swim schedules.
14 Sign on fence, “Public Pool” multilingual This has been completed.
15 “Dollar Day” swim event Thank you for the suggestion. A flyer with an offer for one free swim at Belle Haven Pool has been mailed to every Menlo Park household and will be delivered the week of June 16-19
16 Aqua fit class is impactful, add more at reduced price Thank you for the suggestion. The operator is currently focused on filling the two classes currently being offered, then expanding to additional classes.
17 Residents in other communities need pool access, including East Palo Alto who also receive BBAF scholarships Belle Haven Pool is open to the public and residents of East Palo Alto and other communities are welcomed.
18 Why are there no City Council members present? The aquatics working group is intended to be a community-based forum for community members to engage directly with City staff and the aquatics operator. It is not intended as a formal public meeting, and City Councilmembers generally do not attend, in accordance with Brown Act requirements that discussions and/or decisions that involve a quorum of the City Council be made only during a formal, public, noticed meeting.
19 Can’t make people do something they don’t want to do (i.e. come to the pool) – subsidize the pool to encourage participation Thank you for your comment.
20 All Menlo Park residents are residents of the City, and Belle Haven neighborhood residents have unique/ different needs Thank you for your comment. Yes, the work of the aquatics working group, the upcoming citywide mailer and promotional offer, and the planned word-of-mouth effort are focused on Belle Haven Pool in recognition of the unique needs of Belle Haven neighborhood residents.
21 Partner with schools for outreach Menlo Swim and Sport has partnerships with Beechwood School, Ravenswood City School District, and Menlo Park City School District to promote City pools and make swimming part of their respective summer programs.
22 Disappointed that Aquafit paused; please bring it back The Aquafit classes will restart on June 17.
23 Traffic from Palo Alto to Belle Haven Pool is hard. Focus on people who live nearby Thank you for your comment. The operator tries to take the traffic into account when creating swim schedules.The primary focus of Belle Haven Pool is to serve residents who live nearby.
24 “Reality check” – need to subsidize the pool operations, hours and access Thank you for your comment.
25 Gym user: Is price a factor preventing more use? A general rule of thumb is that the lower the price, the more use will result. Fee reveues are the primary means of covering the high costs of the aquatics operation, and so the challenge is to find the right balance between keeping fees low and the need to generate revenue to adequately cover operating costs.
26 Need to do footwork to reach low-income residents Thank you for your comment. Staff and the operator are excited to work with neighborhood groups and CBOs on a word-of-mouth promotional effort, in addition to a bilingual mailer/ promotional offer and other efforts.
27 Some parents don’t speak English, need other methods The City and operator strive to provide marketing materrials in English and Spanish.
28 Send a card or activity guide by mail A flyer with a promotional offer for one free swim at Belle Haven Pool has been mailed to every Menlo Park household and should arrive in mailbozes the week of June 16-19
29 Swimming is time and money; not all have it, Communicate that there are scholarships, low rates Thank you for yout comment. Scholarships and hyperlocal discounts are featured aspects of the overall promotional strategy.
30 Swimmers often grow up “in the water” and carry forward as adults, pass it on to children Thank you for your comment. Yes, it takes consistent effort over many years to build a community of intergenerational repeat swimmers
31 Belle Haven Swim Team prioritizes getting kids into the water through access, low price, equipment, meet fees Thank you for your comment.
32 Survey Belle Haven Pool users about preferred days/times Thank you for your comment. The aquatics survey results, combined with attendance data led to focusing on afternoon hours over early morning.
33 Don’t overlook adults What is it that adults of the BH are most interesed in?
34 Swimming is part of a swimmer’s life Thank you for your comment. Yes, for many swimmers, it is a lifestyle.
35 Word of mouth is important, effective Thank you for your comment. It is hoped that the aquatics working group will help lead the way to inspire CBOs and neighborhood groups to engage with a neighborhood word-of-mouth effort.
36 Grassroots community engagement to help people feel like the pool is theirs Thank you for your comment. It is hoped that the aquatics working group will help lead the way to inspire CBOs and neighborhood groups to engage with a neighborhood word-of-mouth effort.
37 Can there be evening Aquafit? Thank you for the question. The operator is currently focused on filling the two classes currently being offered, then expanding to additional classes such as evening classes.
38 (In Spanish) (Translation) Unclear what is available for seniors. I went to the pool; it was closed due to a breakdown, I had a pass from a different pool, and couldn’t get help/information—it was confusing Seniors are welcome to the pool and there are several programs that are tailored to seniors. We apologize for any confusion about the services available, and for the unfortunate mechanical issues that closed the pool a few times during its first summer of operation. The Operator has reached out to this commenter to learn more about their experience at the pool.
39 Discount rate for East Palo Alto residents? Aquatic fees are set by the City Council through the Master Fee Schedule. The vast majority of recreational fees only provide discounts to Menlo Park residents. The reason is that only Menlo Park residents pay the local taxes that support the rereational facilities and services.
40 Menlo Park is effectively two communities, but only one can easily access Belle Haven Pool – it was built for them, focus on Belle Haven neighborhood residents Yes, the primary focus for Belle Haven Pool is to encourage use by neighborhood residents who live in the immediate vicinity of the pool.
41 All kids love to swim, if given the chance Thank you for your comment.
Strategies for increasing attendance Response
42 Afterschool swim programs in coordination w/ schools Menlo Swim and Sport has partnerships with Beechwood School, Ravenswood City School District, and Menlo Park City School District to promote City pools and make swimming part of their respective summer programs.
43 Repeated, direct outreach to local schools Menlo Swim and Sport has partnerships with Beechwood School, Ravenswood City School District, and Menlo Park City School District to promote City pools and make swimming part of their respective summer programs.
44 Social media, local “influencers” as inspiration/examples Thank you for the suggestions. It would be helpful to hear ideas about specific people who could serve as "influencers"
45 Special education students – dedicated/special participation times Thank you for the suggestion.
46 Analysis of root causes of low attendance; focus groups and surveys? The City Council staff report April 15, 2025 included a root cause analysis that identified a number of factors that appears to be affecting attendance, inlcuding but not limited to: It takes time to build a community of repeat users; maintenance issues during the opening summer hindered attendance; configuration of major transportation corridors and location of pool at far edge of the city boundaries result in a somewhat limited audience of users in the immediate vicinity of the pool.
47 There’s no lack of interest or good ideas – now mobilization is needed Thank you for your comment. It is hoped that the aquatics working group will help lead the way on a neighborhood word-of-mouth effort.
48 Who is responsible for success? City did a good job building the pool, but is not investing in its ongoing success Thank you for your comment. All parties have a role to play in the pool's success -- City, pool operator and community. The City currently contributes over $1 million per year to maintain the pool facilities, and provides advertising and promotional support.
49 Disappointed none of the City Council members are here The aquatics working group is intended to be a community-based forum for community members to engage directly with City staff and the aquatics operator. It is not intended as a formal public meeting, and City Councilmembers generally do not attend, in accordance with Brown Act requirements that discussions and/or decisions that involve a quorum of the City Council be made only during a formal, public, noticed meeting.
50 Show up to the City Council meeting, Parks and Recreation Commission meetings Thank you for your comment. Meetings of the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission are open to the public and public comments are welcomed.
51 Can’t expect any business to run at a loss Thank you for your comment.

 

May 20, 2025

Held at Belle Haven Pool
The May 20 session was attended by approximately 40 participants, around 80% of whom indicated that they have been in the water at Belle Haven Pool in the past year. The session focused on gathering questions, ideas and feedback about Belle Haven Pool; a discussion with representatives from Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation (BBAF) about the youth swim scholarships they fund; and strategies for increasing attendance at Belle Haven Pool. Over the course of the session, participants’ comments were captured on a poster board(PDF, 4MB). City staff is preparing information and action items is response to the May 20 feedback for the next Aquatics working group meeting tentatively in June.
 
General feedback. Participants offered the following feedback and questions. Comments are listed in order they were shared during the group discussion, as captured on the poster board, with some light editing for clarity:
  • Beautiful facility
  • Need to consult the community about classes, times
  • Where are nearby residents? Need more outreach – neighborhood groups are happy to help!
  • Need more offerings for students in local schools
  • Hours are too short; pool closes too early in the evening for working adults
  • Swim pass should have reciprocity between Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool
  • Advertise youth swim more, for example in the City’s activity guide
  • Instructors who speak Spanish
  • The Belle Haven Swim Team has been doing outreach to local schools, churches
  • Adjacent communities like Redwood City don’t have pools – do outreach there
  • Questions – who is responsible for outreach, the City or the Operator?
  • Outreach to Kelly Park users (soccer teams, etc.)
  • Traffic varies by time of day – hard to get here; timing of classes is important
  • Sign on fence, “Public Pool” multilingual
  • “Dollar Day” swim event
  • Aqua fit class is impactful, add more at reduced price
  • Residents in other communities need pool access, including East Palo Alto who also receive BBAF scholarships
  • Why are there no City Council members present?
  • Can’t make people do something they don’t want to do (i.e. come to the pool) – subsidize the pool to encourage participation
  • All Menlo Park residents are residents of the City, and Belle Haven neighborhood residents have unique/ different needs
  • Partner with schools for outreach
  • Disappointed that Aquafit paused; please bring it back
  • Traffic from Palo Alto to Belle Haven Pool is hard. Focus on people who live nearby
  • “Reality check” – need to subsidize the pool operations, hours and access
  • Gym user: Is price a factor preventing more use?
  • Need to do footwork to reach low-income residents
  • Some parents don’t speak English, need other methods
  • Send a card or activity guide by mail
  • Swimming is time and money; not all have it, Communicate that there are scholarships, low rates
  • Swimmers often grow up “in the water” and carry forward as adults, pass it on to children
  • Belle Haven Swim Team prioritizes getting kids into the water through access, low price, equipment, meet fees
  • Survey Belle Haven Pool users about preferred days/times
  • Don’t overlook adults
  • Swimming is part of a swimmer’s life
  • Word of mouth is important, effective
  • Grassroots community engagement to help people feel like the pool is theirs
  • Can there be evening Aquafit?
  • (In Spanish) (Translation) Unclear what is available for seniors. I went to the pool; it was closed due to a breakdown, I had a pass from a different pool, and couldn’t get help/information—it was confusing
  • Discount rate for East Palo Alto residents?
  • Menlo Park is effectively two communities, but only one can easily access Belle Haven Pool – it was built for them, focus on Belle Haven neighborhood residents
  • All kids love to swim, if given the chance
Strategies for increasing attendance. Participants offered the following ideas and comments about ways to increase attendance at Belle Haven Pool (comments are listed in order received, as written on the poster board. with light editing for clarity):
  • Afterschool swim programs in coordination w/ schools
  • Repeated, direct outreach to local schools
  • Social media, local “influencers” as inspiration/examples
  • Special education students – dedicated/special participation times
  • Analysis of root causes of low attendance; focus groups and surveys?
  • There’s no lack of interest or good ideas – now mobilization is needed
  • Who is responsible for success? City did a good job building the pool, but is not investing in its ongoing success
  • Disappointed none of the City Council members are here
  • Show up to the City Council meeting, Parks and Recreation Commission meetings
  • Can’t expect any business to run at a loss

Apr. 8, 2025

Held at Belle Haven Pool

The April 8 session focused on the value and importance of various programs offered at Belle Haven Pool, the lower-than-hoped attendance at Belle Haven Pool, and the fee increases to be proposed to City Council April 15. Participants offered the following feedback:

  • Comments on the efficacy of survey methods and other forms of soliciting community feedback;
  • Comments on the importance of youth swim lessons and teams to teach water safety and build generational interest and participation in swimming;
  • Ideas for outreach and promoting attendance at Belle Haven Pool by the local community;
  • Stories of how participants first heard about and became engaged in Belle Haven Pool programs;
  • Discussion about the importance and value of swim lesson scholarships through nonprofits such as BBAF;
  • Ideas for holding family swim events and other community swim events to attract new visitors to the pool;
  • Suggestions to use technology such as text messages and phone calls to expand outreach;
  • Suggestions that promotions emphasize that hyperlocal and swim lesson fees are relatively low and a good value, and in particular to present the swim lesson scholarships in a way that avoids creating any stigma or feeling of being socioeconomically “less than”;
  • Compliments on the physical accessibility of Belle Haven Pool such as the long entry ramp and chair lifts;
  • Suggestions for adjusting water exercise times to facilitate a smoother transition to other programs at Menlo Park Senior Center;
  • Suggestion to work with local schools to make attendance at Menlo Park swim centers a requirement and/or credit in the school curriculum;
  • Observation that Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool are different sizes and have different numbers of lanes so attendance comparisons are not exactly apples-to-apples;
  • Observation that some Belle Haven neighborhood residents report that they continue to use Burgess Pool out of familiarity and force of habit;
  • Comments that a new business can’t be expected to operate at 100% capacity right away;
  • Discussion about the proposed fee increases, including appreciation that fees would not increase for hyperlocal, senior, child and family residents, but concern that increasing non-resident fees too much could drive a needed revenue source away to other pools in the region;
  • Consensus that some modest fee increases are appropriate due to increasing costs;
  • Acknowledgments that the pool operator needs to achieve a break-even financial condition in order to continue;
  • Concern that Burgess Pool is already operating at near-maximum capacity and that high attendance there cannot fully offset low attendance at Belle Haven Pool;
  • Concerns that reduced hours at Belle Haven Pool during the off-season could result in lower attendance overall and in the long term;
  • Concern that mechanical issues at Belle Haven Pool disrupt efforts to increase attendance;
  • Comments that local community members, community-based organizations and word-of-mouth will be essential to encourage strong usage of Belle Haven Pool in the upcoming summer peak season.

Feb. 4, 2025
Held at Belle Haven Pool

The Feb. 4 session focused on the same topics as the Jan. 13 session but was held at Belle Haven Pool. Participants offered feedback on the phrasing of survey questions; questions and discussion about the potential causes of the comparatively lower attendance at Belle Haven Pool relative to attendance at Burgess Pool, such as the geographical barrier presented by the US-101 freeway, past history of limited access to swim centers, mechanical issues during the new Belle Haven Pool’s opening summer, and seasonal fluctuations driven by weather patterns and school calendars; ideas for promoting the pool to community members through various channels like local schools and through door-to-door and word-of-mouth outreach; suggestions for building a community of year-round repeat swimmers through youth swim lessons, teams and exercise programs; consensus that some modest fee increases are appropriate due to increasing costs; and discussion about balancing competing demands for pool space in a way that ensures access and availability to hyperlocal residents.

Jan. 13, 2025 
Held at Burgess Pool 

The Jan. 13 session focused on the results of the November 2024 aquatics user survey, the 2024 aquatics annual report, and potential increases to some aquatic user fees. Participants offered feedback on the condition of the locker room at Burgess Pool; appreciation for maintenance fixes at Belle Haven Pool; concerns about the lower-than-hoped attendance at Belle Haven Pool; suggestion to work with local schools to make attending Menlo Park swim centers a curriculum credit and/or requirement; suggestion to hold swim meets at Belle Haven Pool to increase attendance; suggestion to work with local employers like Meta to encourage their workers to visit Belle Haven Pool for early morning and lunchtime programs like aqua aerobics; ideas for advertising and promoting the swim centers to attract more visitors; expanding a Masters swim program to Belle Haven Pool; consensus that some modest fee increases are appropriate due to increasing costs; appreciation for the hyperlocal resident rates and avoiding fee increases to hyperlocal, senior, child and family fees.

Marketing efforts to promote aquatics

June 11, 2025

Here is a summary of marketing and outreach efforts Menlo Swim and Sport (MSS) is undertaking in partnership with City of Menlo Park (City) to promote attendance at the pools.

Community-based organizations (CBO's) and schools:

  • Partnering with Beechwood School for their 2025 summer camp students to take swim lessons at Belle Haven Pool this summer
  • In discussions with Boys and Girls Club for a similar partnership for 2025 summer
  • Coordinating with City of Menlo Park to connect with Belle Haven neighborhood groups and the Aquatics working group to support a word-of-mouth campaign to promote swim center attendance by the community
  • Partnered with Ravenswood School District to distribute a promotional flyer focused on youth and family swim programs to the school community before the summer break
  • Partnered with Menlo Park City School District o distribute a promotional flyer focused on youth and family swim programs to the school community before the summer break

Printed items/direct mail:

  • Banner advertising pool hours, “open to the public” is in production and will be placed on the fence at Belle Haven Pool
  • Coordinating with City of Menlo Park to promote the pools on a citywide direct mail piece to all city and unincorporated addresses to be delivered to mailboxes the week of June 16. (Includes a coupon for 1 free lap/drop-in swim at Belle Haven Pool, good through August 10 and promotes the City recreation programs, summer camps and activity guide)
  • A follow up handbill (for hand-to-hand distribution) is planned, possibly will include additional incentives for Belle Haven Pool visits

Digital:

  • Email campaigns to Menlo Swim and Sport’s list of over 20,000 subscribers once per week
  • Paid Instagram advertising
  • Google Adwords placements
  • Places ads and listings in local camp lists/blogs
  • Ongoing coordination with City of Menlo Park to include aquatics promotion in LCS newsletter to 35,000 subscribers once per week, and on City video monitors

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Aquatics open houses

Belle-Haven-Pool..jpg The City of Menlo Park hosted aquatics open houses at Belle Haven Pool on Sept. 5, 2024 and at Burgess Pool on Sept. 26, 2024. The open houses gave participants the opportunity to learn about and provide feedback on aquatics programs. 

Additionally, the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) participated in a focus group session about the aquatics program on Oct. 9, 2024 which also yielded multiple comments, ideas and feedback.

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Summaries of open house feedback

Aquatics open house – Belle Haven Pool 
Sept. 5, 2024 

Ref. # Feedback Response
1 Is there a membership pass for open swim? Yes, during the summer peak season
2 During open swim, how many lanes are open? 4 lanes or more are always available for lap swim
3 Will there be adult swim lessons? Yes, planning to offer in Fall, but is dependent on staffing
4 Are there scholarships for fall lessons? Yes, through Beyond Borders Athletic Foundation
5 [After expressing interest in youth teams] Will the youth swim team participate in competitions? Yes, the youth swim team will participate in swim meets
6 [After expressing interest in youth triathlon] What is the cost to participate in youth triathlon? The program is still coming together and the cost has not been determined yet.
7 When will the youth team start? Expected start in November, depending on instructor’s availability
8 What is the difference between aqua fit and aqua wellness? Aqua fit is focused on water exercise for general fitness and wellbeing; aqua therapy is rehabilitation and physical therapy to aid recovery from injury or health conditions

 

Aquatics open house – Burgess Pool 
Sept. 26, 2024 

Ref. # Feedback Response
1 Is aqua fit offered year round? Yes
2 As a long time swimmer, I appreciate the extensive open hours. -
3 Sharing lanes is a bit challenging, so I try to swim late morning/ early afternoon when the pool is less busy. -
4 Aqua fit has been impressive, and busy -
5 My kids and I enjoy open swim. I would like to know more about the bridge swim program Bridge swim is for swimmers who would like to explore team swim, but need a bit more practice to build their strengths in a supportive environment
6 I remember the inflated dome that used to cover the pool. Why did it go away? The dome deteriorated over time, with a usable lifespan of approximately 10 years. Managing the air quality inside the dome was a challenge because chlorinated water produces gases that must be exhausted away from people. When the dome was removed, potential replacements were evaluated but were deemed too costly and time-consuming to pursue at the time.

Summary of youth advisory group feedback

Aquatics focus group – Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) 
 Oct. 9, 2024

80% of attendees said they learned how to swim at Burgess Pool 
2 attendees said they have worked for the pool Operator

SNAP SURVEY: How important are the following aquatics programs to you? # of votes
Open swim 12
Community events 12
Camps 11
Youth water polo 7
Youth swim team 7
Youth swim school 4
Lap swim 4
Aqua fit / Aqua wellness 0

Other questions and comments

Ref. # Questions / comments
1 Why is it difficult to staff up with lifeguards?
2 How good are the swim teams?
3 What are some of the current challenges?
4 What is the pay for staff?
5 How do you advertise recruitment?
6 How can the YAC help recruit for staff?
7 Is lifeguard training offered for free?
8 Do you offer holiday events with a discount?
9 Is there a program or track for someone to go from lessons to lifeguard training?
10 What improvements would you [Operator and staff] like to make?
11 What happened to the shop in the Burgess Pool office?
12 Good memories from Burgess Pool

 

 

 

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Aquatics performance reports

The aquatics operator, Menlo Swim and Sport annually produces performance reports for the City’s two swim centers, Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool. 

The 2024 performance report was presented to City Council on March 11, 2025.

Image-aquatics-annual-report-2024.jpg

Read the 2024 aquatics performance report(PDF, 10MB)

The annual report provides detailed programmatic and financial information including: total program hours with schedules of individual programs including lane hours, times of day, days of week and by season; participation statistics by program area including Menlo Park resident and non-resident use; user fees collected by program area, including fees paid by Menlo Park residents and non-residents; and pool schedules and allocations by program for the previous year and projections to the upcoming year.

Read the annual reports from prior years:

City Council reports

Menlo Park City Council provides leadership and direction for the City's two swim centers, including by reviewing aquatics performance reports, setting aquatic user fees, authorizing aquatics-related contracts, and approving budget expenditures for aquatics facility maintenance. Here's a selection of recent City Council reports related to the aquatics program: 

  • May 13, 2025. "Consider and adopt a resolution to increase aquatic subcontractor lane rental fees; and authorize the city manager to execute an amendment to the aquatics operator agreement." Staff Report #25-071-CC.
    Report | Presentation | Minutes

  • Apr. 15, 2025. "Consider and adopt a resolution to increase aquatic user fees and authorize the city manager to execute an amendment to the aquatics operator agreement." Staff Report #25-055-CC.

    Report | Presentation | Minutes

  • Mar. 11, 2025. "Receive the aquatics program annual report and independent financial analysis; consider and adopt a resolution to increase aquatics fees; and provide direction on amending the aquatics operator agreement." Staff Report #25-042-CC.

    Report | Presentation | Minutes

  • Feb. 11, 2025. "Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation for the aquatics program including to temporarily suspend the minimum operating hours requirement at Belle Haven Pool." Staff Report #25-022-CC.

    Report | Minutes

  • Nov. 19, 2024. "Update on aquatic survey results and next steps for potential operational and fee adjustments." Staff Report #24-201-CC.

    Report | Minutes

  • Feb. 27, 2024. "Waive the second reading and adopt an ordinance amending the City’s master fee schedule for aquatics fees." Staff Report #24-034-CC.
     Report | Minutes

  • Sept. 12, 2023. "Authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with Team Sheeper, Inc., to operate Burgess Pool and the future Menlo Park Community Campus aquatics center." Staff Report #23-206-CC.

    Report | Presentation | Minutes

Reference links to earlier reports and supporting information are available in the Background sections of the above reports.

Contact us

Aquatics operator

Menlo Swim & Sport
Website
Email
650-781-5525

City aquatics liaison

Tricia Mullan
Library and Community Services Supervisor
Email

650-330-2225

Jobs

burgess-pool-lap-swimmers.jpg Aquatics operator Menlo Swim and Sport offers excellent employment opportunities for enthusiastic, responsible people who appreciate athletic lifestyles and believe in swimming and fitness for health. Job openings typically are available year-round. Seasonal, part-time, and full time opportunities are available. Join a team of people passionate about the quality of their work. Visit the menloswim.com website to learn more and apply. 

Learn more about Menlo Swim and Sport jobs

Locations

BHCC-aerial.jpg The City of Menlo Park's two swim centers, Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool are operated by local partner Menlo Swim and Sport under contract with the City. Visit the Menlo Swim and Sport website to learn more about aquatic programs, including pool schedules, recreational swim, lap swim, masters, swim lessons, youth teams, swim camps, and entry fees.

Locations and hours

Belle Haven Pool
 100 Terminal Ave.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Belle Haven Pool facility details

Burgess Pool
 501 Laurel St.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Burgess Pool facility details

Aquatics programs are provided through a public-private partnership with Menlo Park-based pool operator Menlo Swim and Sport. Visit the Menlo Swim and Sport website for current pool schedules and program details.

Menlo Swim and Sport website

Swim camps

swim-camp-burgess-pool.jpg The City of Menlo Park, in partnership with Menlo Swim and Sport, hosts swim camps at Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool during summer. Swim camps are a great way for children and youth to strengthen their swimming and water safety skills during the summer months, while having fun! Swim camps are directed by professional staff with experience in promoting high-quality, safe and fun activities. Camp swim instructors receive over 20 hours of swim instructor training. Campers are under constant supervision by the camp leads, counselors, instructors and coaches. For more information about swim camps, visit the Menlo Swim and Sport website.

Swim lessons

burgess-pool-swim-lessons.jpg Swim lessons are a great way to strengthen swimming and water safety skills. The City of Menlo Park, in partnership with Menlo Swim and Sport, hosts a wide range of swim lessons for every age and skill level.

It’s never too early or too late to start learning to swim. Swim lessons are available for infants as young as 6 months old and adults of all ages. Instructors go through multiple weeks of training to gain experience with every age and skill level.

For the youngest swimmers, Water Babies classes focus on water acclimation with a parent or caretaker in the water. Lessons focus on building water confidence and introduce basic water skills in a safe and nurturing environment. Songs and activities help babies and parents bond while introducing this important life-saving skill.

For children 3 years old and up, classes are available for all skill levels starting at Level 1 for basic fundamentals such as kicking and floating, through Level 4, where students graduate out of swim school knowing Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly.

For adult swimmers, we understand that everyone has different goals and comfort levels in the water. Whether you’re a beginner looking to overcome your fear of water or an experienced swimmer aiming to improve your technique, our instructors will guide you every step of the way.

Whether you’re just starting your swim journey or looking to take your skills to the next level, swim lessons are available to support and encourage you.

Learn more about swim lessons

Swim scholarships

burgess-pool-kid-goggles.jpg Menlo Swim & Sport is proud to partner with the Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation (BBAF) to offer scholarships to those financially in need who want to develop a life-long love for swimming. Swim scholarships are available for youth swim lessons at Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool. For more information and to sign up your child for a swim scholarship, visit the Menlo Swim and Sport website.

Learn more about swim scholarships

Donations

If you’d like to donate to help provide swim school scholarships for low income families, donations are accepted on the Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation's website

 

FREE swim coupon

coupon.jpg

 

Limited time only for Menlo Park residents! Get one FREE lap swim or family open swim at Belle Haven Pool. Present this coupon at Belle Haven Pool to redeem this offer. Account set up is required. Limit one per person. Expires August 10, 2025.
 

 

New! SwimFit pass

Buy a swim pass, get free fitness center workouts!

For Menlo Park residents ages 18 and up. Get unlimited swimming and fitness center workouts with the new SwimFit monthly pass. Sign up for a monthly swim pass at the regular price and get a FREE pass to the amazing new Belle Haven Community Campus fitness center! 

Learn more

 

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