Aquatics

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

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News and updates

Swim center hours sustained and restored effective Nov. 3

At the Sept. 30 meeting, City Council approved funding to sustain and restore operating hours at city-owned swim centers, Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool. New hours take effect Nov. 3, 2025.

Aquatics working group meeting Sept. 23

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.

City Council to discuss swim centers Sept. 9

Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool will be the topic of a City Council study session on Sept. 9.

Get unlimited swimming and workouts with SwimFit pass

Menlo Park residents ages 18+ can get unlimited swimming and fitness center workouts with the new SwimFit monthly pass. How it works: Residents who sign up for a monthly swim pass at the regular price will receive a free monthly pass to the BHCC fitness center.

"Staycation" summer fun in Menlo Park

Summer is here in beautiful Menlo Park, California, U.S.A. Here's just a tiny sampling of the many ways to have an amazing summer right here at home, all summer long!

Swim centers OPEN for Labor Day weekend

Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool are OPEN for Labor Day weekend

Aquatics open house: Belle Haven Pool on Sept. 5

Menlo Park residents are invited to an open house to learn about aquatics programs at Belle Haven Pool.
• Belle Haven Pool services and programs
• Q-and-A with aquatics staff
• Share your ideas and suggestions for future open house events!

Take the aquatics survey

The City of Menlo Park is interested in hearing residents' needs and view about the City's aquatics programs. The City has two aquatics centers: Burgess Pool at 501 Laurel Ave., which is currently in operation; and Belle Haven Pool at 100 Terminal Ave., which has been temporarily closed for construction since 2021 and will be replaced with a new aquatics center opening by this summer.

See more city news

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.

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 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.

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:

Aquatics working group

Belle Haven Pool "hybrid model" task force

In addition to the aquatics working group, Belle Haven neighborhood residents and stakeholders participate in the Belle Haven Pool "hybrid model" task force. The purpose of the task force is to help develop a potential “hybrid” operating model at the pool for future consideration by City Council.

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Aquatics working group feedback notes

Belle Haven Pool "hybrid model" task force notes

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

The aquatics working group and Belle Haven Pool task force are intended to be community-based forums for community members to engage directly with City staff and the aquatics operator. They are not intended as formal public meetings, 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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Aquatics open houses

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

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:

Sept. 30, 2025. "Authorize the city manager to execute an amendment to the aquatics operator agreement and appropriate $300,477 from the General Fund unassigned fund balance to sustain and restore operating hours at City-owned swim centers." Staff Report #25-145-CC.
Report | Minutes
Sept. 9, 2025. "Provide direction on conceptual possibilities for sustaining and potentially restoring operating hours at City-owned swim centers." Staff Report #25-134-CC.

Report | Presentation | Minutes
Aug. 26, 2025. "Consider and adopt a resolution to increase aquatic user nonresident fees and subcontractor lane rental fees." Staff Report #25-071-CC.
Report | Minutes
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

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

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

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

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

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

Send feedback

Do you have a question, idea, complaint, or compliment? We want to hear from you!

Send feedback

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