A Photographic History of County Park Swimming Pools

Val Verde Pool, 1939

The plunge at Val Verde Park, August 1942. Snapshot by Ansley Davies, of an image in the Huntington Library collection.

On July 24, 1935 the County Board of Supervisors authorized the preparation of an application to the WPA for project #9954, which included the construction of the Spanish Colonial Revival style poolhouse, 50' x 150' pool, walks, curbs, and landscaping. 

This facility was replaced in 1996.

Atlantic Avenue Pool, 1940

Construction of the swimming pool and poolhouse at Atlantic Avenue Park, August 1938, Muench. County Fire Department collection.

This seasonally operated Spanish Colonial Revival style pool house and swiming pool were designed by James K. Reid, Superintendent & Ralph S. Brooks, Engineer, Job 150 & 151 of WPA Project No. 9207. The nine-month construction cost $94,453 and employed approximately 100 workers. In June 4, 1940, pool was completed and ready for use. This poolhouse was similar to the design of the poolhouse at Arcadia Park. 

Alondra Park Pool, 1950

Pool and beach at Alondra Park, 1957. CEO archive.

This two acre free-swimming style D-shaped pool of two acres in size on June 30, 1950. It was said to be the largest of its type in the country. The large fresh-water pool, with graduated in depth from four inches at its outer edges to four feet in the center, and white sand beach surround. The pool was presumably designed by the County Engineer. 

This facility was replaced in 2012.

Belvedere Park Pool, 1950

Aquacade performance at Belvedere Park pool, 1959. CEO Photo Unit archive.

The original swimming pool and poolhouse, was designed by J. Earl Trudeau, an Alhambra architect best known for his period revival style church designs. Construction commenced in early 1949 and was completed by the end of that year. The facility opened on Memorial Day 1950, which was the opening day of the summer swimming season. 

This facility was replaced in 2014.

Ted Watkins Pool, 1955

Aerial view of Ted Watkins Memorial Park looking north-east, 1963. CEO Photo Unit archive.

May 27, 1952 County Counsel approved the plan to construct a swimming pool and poolhouse facility. The winning contract for the pool was in the amount of $201,278.00 by C and H Cement Contractors. The pool was dedicated on June 4, 1955.

This facility was replaced in 2008.

Jessie Owens Park Pool, 1957

Aerial view of the gymnasium and original indoor pool on the right, 1963. CEO Photo Unit archive.  

The original indoor pool was designed in 1957 by architect Stiles O. Clements and built by Meleo Construction Company with an initial cost estimate of $373,450. 

Stiles O. Clements (1883-1966) was a Los Angeles architect trained at the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris, and a key figure in the art deco movement of 1920s and 1930s Streamline Moderne style in Los Angeles. He was known for his exuberant themed designs that included the Wiltern and Mayan theaters, but also designed in historicist motifs and revivalism styles, such as the Adamson House in Malibu, in the Spanish Colonial Revival and Moorish Revival styles.

This facility was replaced in 2004.

Knollwood Golf Course Pool

Knollwood pool during the off season, circa 2019.

This small, kidney-shaped pool at this facility was likely constructed at the same time of the golf course and clubhouse in 1957. The entire golf facility was initially developed as a private feature for the surrounding subdivision which was originally and owned by the Homeowner’s Association. 

Franklin D. Roosevelt Park Pool, 1958

Conceptual illustration of the pool enclosure building at FDR, 1971. County Engineer collection.

The Roosevelt Park Pool was originally an outdoor pool constructed between 1957 and 1958. Measuring 22,378 square feet, the pool was designed by architects Richard K. Weimer and James T. Fickes, based in Arcadia, and constructed by Nick Pokrajac, based in Pasadena, California. The orignal poolhouse was in a separate building located north of the pool. 

Lennox Park Pool, 1959

Aerial view of Lennox Park, 1963. CEO Photo Unit archive.

The original outdoor pool and poolhouse were dedicated on May 2, 1959. Absmeier, O'Leary & Terasawa, Architects, were appointed to draw plans for the swimming pool, Capital Project #8794 on October 30, 1956. In September of 1957, the Board approved the preliminary plans,with a tentative cost estimate of $93,968, as with many projects though, budget adjustments were made as the project progressed. 

This facility was replaced in 2008.

Homer L. Garrott Pool at Athens Community Regional Park, 1960

Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and others inspect the construction of the pool and poolhouse at Athens Park, 1960. CEO Photo Unit archive.

On December 16, 1958, the Board of Supervisors approved the preliminary plans for the seasonally operated pool. The pool and poolhouse were designed by Fred Dinger and Harlan Pederson and the construction contract was awarded to Meleo Construction Company for a total of $212,368. The pool was dedicated on June 18, 1960. 

Roy Campanella Park Pool, 1962

Conceptual illustration for the pool and poolhouse at Roy Campanella Park, 1961. County Engineer collection.

The outdoor swimming pool and poolhouse were designed by the Architectural Division of the Department of the County Engineer (precursor to the Department of Public Works) with Mac A. Cason as the Chief Architect, and John A. Lambie as County Engineer, and built by O. K. Coyle, Contractor. The pool was completed and dedication ceremonies occurred in 1962. 

City Terrace Park Pool, 1963

Supervisor Ernest Debs at City Terrace Pool with children ready to swim, 1964. CEO Photo Unit archive.

The pool and poolhouse were designed by James H. Garrott, Architect, and constructed by Western Alta Pool Co., Inc, Contractor. This seasonally operated swimming pool and poolhouse, dedicated on July 13, 1963 and nestles into other existing mid-century thin shell concrete structures at the park. The poolhouse roof was an extension of the scalloped thin-shell concrete covered walkway which connects the poolhouse to the sports shell. The pool was designed in the standard fan shape.

James Homer Garrott (1897-1991) was a prominent African American modernist architect. In 1946 he was the second African American accepted as a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Los Angeles. He was pivotal to the creation of many historic buildings in the Los Angeles area, designing more than 200 buildings throughout the city. Mr. Garrott received nine architectural commissions for County projects. He was also a civil rights activist who worked for the rights of people of color and he became close friends with Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. In 1974 James Homer Garrott received emeritus status from the American Institute of Architects and in 1975 he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by The Minority Architects and Planners of Los Angeles.

Enterprise Park Pool, 1964

Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and others at the dedication of the pool facility, 1964. Note the lifeguard in the background. CEO Photo Unit archive.

The development contract for the seasonally operated pool facility at Enterprise Park, located at 2411 W 132nd St, Los Angeles, CA, 90059, was awarded on June 4, 1963 to Fiesta Pools, Architect, and Integrated Engineers, Incorporated, Contractor. The project was completed and dedicated on April 4, 1964. 

This facility was replaced in 2009.

Ruben Salazar Park Pool, 1964

Pool and lifeguards at Ruben Salazar Park, circa 1960’s. County Engineer collection.

The seasonally operated fan shaped pool and poolhouse were of a design that was used at a number of different parks during this time of rapid pool development within the Department. The contract for this Capital Project was awarded to O. K. Coyle of La Habra on December 17, 1963 in the amount of $163,490. The project was completed in 1964.

Mary M. Bethune Park Pool, 1964

Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, Parks and Recreation Director Norman Johnson, and others at dedication celebrations for Mary M. Bethune pool and poolhouse dedication celebrations, 1964. CEO Photo Unit archive.

This seasonally operated pool facility was constructed by O. K. Coyle, Contractor and completed in 1964.

This facility was replaced in 2008.

La Mirada Park Pool, 1965

Diving demonstration during dedication ceremonies, 1965. CEO Photo Unit archive.

The pool and poolhouse were designed by Lane and Broodie, Architects and dedicated on May 5, 1965.

In 2012, the pool needed repairs but the Department decided to demolish the structure because the “La Mirada Splash,” a City of La Mirada operated pool and water park, had been constructed on property adjacent to the existing pool.

This facility was removed in 2012.

Mona Park Pool, 1966

The first children into the pool after Supervisor Kenneth Hahn cuts the dedication ribbon, 1966. CEO Photo Unit archive.

The seasonally operated fan shaped swimming pool and poolhouse was designed by John A. Lambie, County Engineer, J. W. Staniford, Chief County Architect. The project was constructed by E. A. Weitzul and Associates, Incorporated and dedicated on August 27, 1966.

Victoria Park Pool, 1967

Lifeguard on Duty, circa 1967. CEO Photo Unit archive.

On March 3, 1964, the Board of Supervisors approved an architectural services agreement for the construction of a seasonally operated swimming pool and poolhouse with James H. Garrott, Architect and E. A. Weitzel and Associates Inc of Newport, at a cost of $379,500. Funding came from the State Beach and Park Bond funds. The pool facility was completed in 1967.

George Washington Carver Park Pool, 1967

Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, Departmental Lifeguard, and visitors at the pool facility dedication celebrations, 1967. CEO Photo Unit archive.

On October 25, 1966, a contract was awarded to Western Alta Pool Company for the construction of a seasonally operated swimming pool and poolhouse, which was built in 1967.

Eugene Obregon Park Pool, 1969

Supervisor Ernest Debs and others at dedication ceremonies for the pool and poolhouse , 1970. CEO archive.

Completed in 1969 and dedicated on May 23, 1970, the 5,282-square foot seasonal pool facility is located in the northeast corner of the park. The poolhouse and pool were designed by William S. Hirsch and built by Sealtight Construction Company, of Burbank, CA from 1967 to 1969.

Hirsch was known for designing and remodeling City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power buildings. He also designed a number of functional vernacular motels, including the Beachtown Motel in Long Beach and the Paso Robles Motel in Paso Robles.

George Lane Park Pool, 1971

The seasonally operated pool facility was dedicated May 20, 1971. It was constructed by Stanley Nelson Construction Co. of Redlands. The poolhouse is 4,382 square feet and the pool measures 60 feet by 75 feet. The pool was retrofitted with underwater light fixtures in 1995. The poolhouse is a functional vernacular building with a brick veneer and rectangular plan. Its flat roof with overhanging eaves shows exposed rafter tails. A central entrance is accessible by a low-slope ramp with metal railings to provide easy access to the facility.

Helen Keller Park Pool, 1972

Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and others at the dedication celebration, 1972. CEO archive.  

The pool facility was designed by La Sala and Squire, Architects, and constructed by Milton Gernstenberger, Construction. This seasonally operated pool was dedicated on May 27, 1972.

This facility was replaced in 2008.

Almeda Krejci Pool at Col. Leon Washington Park, 1974

Conceptual illustration for the pool and poolhouse, c.1972.

The Department applied for a Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for additional funding to develop the pool and poolhouse. In 1971, noted architect Edward H. Fickett, FAIA was contracted to design the project and it was constructed by Nadar, Inc., Contractor. 

Loma Alta Park Pool, 1974

View of the pool, 2020.

The pool and poolhouse were designed by Harvey T. Brandt, Los Angeles County Engineer and built by Stanley E. Nelson, General Contractor, under Spec 3450 and Capital Project #8835.16 for a cost of approximately $498,993. The design of the poolhouse and heated fan shaped pool appears to be a standardized plan that was recycled many times at various parks. The seasonally operated pool began construction on November 5, 1973 and was dedicated in July of 1974. 

Everett Martin Park Pool, 1974

View of the pool and poolhouse, 2021.

This 6.68-acre park began on May 29, 1974 with the dedication of the seasonally operated pool facility, which had been a long-time dream of the foothill communities of the Littlerock area. The design of the poolhouse and fan shaped pool appears to be a standardized plan that was used at other parks. The site for the pool facility was donated by Jesse S. Embree.

El Cariso Park Pool, 1976

Construction of the pool and poolhouse, 1976. County Engineer collection.

In July of 1974, the cost estimate for the seasonally operated pool complex was $844,863 although records show plans were in effect to reduce the scope of work to reduce costs. The architects for the park and golf course were VTN Engineers, Architects, Planners of Van Nuys, and the contractor was Montgomery Ross Fisher. The the park and pool facilities were opened to the public on November 17, 1976.

Don Knabe Park Pool, 1977

Construction of the pool and poolhouse, 1976. County Engineer collection.

The seasonally operated pool facility was designed by Pulliam, Matthews and Associates, Architects of Los Angeles in 1976 under capital project #8790.02 and dedicated in 1977. In 2004, the facility was renovated by Aleks Istanbullu Architects, AIA, Santa Monica. 

San Fernando Park Pool, 2008

Views of the water slide with competition pool in the background, 2019.  

This year-round facility was designed by Maple Dell & McClelland Architects, LLP of Pasadena, and completed in 2008. The facility includes a two-story community building and two pools; one for competition and the other for recreation that includes a waterslide. This particular pool facility was not constructed by the County, but acquired as a lease. The City of San Fernando was defaulting on the loan for this aquatic center, so the County entered into a 35-year agreement with the City and now operates the aquatic center.