Norm S Johnson Pool

Thought I’d give this place a chance in spite of the bad reviews about how strict they are. I was BLOWN AWAY – in a bad way. I don’t know if this place was sued at one time or if the people in charge are just out-​of-​their-​everloving-​minds paranoid, but as people have mentioned, you really do have to check everything! Yes, they actually make you check your TOWELS!!! That’s not a typo… your TOWELS! At a POOL! I’ve been to a lot of pools in my day, even ones considered strict because they check your bag for outside food. That is strict, but this pool makes those look like a funtime frat house in comparison. I asked the guy why in the world would they make you check your towels and he said because they don’t want people to «TRIP ON THEM»! Trip. On a towel. So, either someone came to this pool years ago, tripped on a TOWEL, got hurt, and sued, or these people are flat-​out CUHHHHRAZY! There are no other options. I asked another mom if we were allowed to smile because I was surprised they didn’t make us check our emotions at the counter, too.
If they’re going to make you check your wallet, phone, bag, clothes, sunscreen, keys, hopes and dreams, they should really provide a couple things. One is seating, besides a handful of chairs, because sometimes kids (and adults) need a break from the water. On the planet Earth, normally, you would just exit the pool and go sit on your towel. But we all know how many times you do that just to return to your towel to find a pile of seven wounded people, moaning in pain, near death, having tripped on your towel. «Not again,» you think. «Something MUST be done!» The other thing they should provide is what every other pool I’ve ever been to has – a friggin’ clock.
It’s too bad, too, because if it weren’t for their absolutely bonkers check-​everything policy, this would be up there with the best pools I’ve come across in the LA area. The wading pool for kids is huge and very shallow, and they have wide steps going down into it, which is great because, as anyone who takes a toddler to a pool knows, the stairs are their jam. Frankly, I was stunned that they «let» us sit with our kiddos on the stairs, but then again, we visited after school had started, so there were only three other families there. Still, the rules pretty much ruin this place, and it’s really, really such a shame because it’s a great pool with a decent changing facility and it’s friggin’ free! Hence the two stars instead of 1. Maybe the people who run it will start meditating and calm their paranoia, or just get their heads out of their… well, anyway. If they did, this place would rock.

My mother, my daughter, and I adored this pool. My little girl was 7 months old when I brought her for her first exposure to the pool. It was incredibly clean and well managed. I agree that the lifeguards were very serious but I would prefer that. I would not want to see them chatting with one another and not watching what’s going on. There is a shallow splash and play area, a shallow wading pool, and a big lap pool. This is a perfect place to bring little ones. You must check all your items before you go into the pool and you can only take hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and shoes with you. I actually like this because I felt like my things were safe instead of having to keep an eye on them while we were swimming. We plan to come back again before the free swim closes on September 7.

I’ve never had a problem here. They have rules, just abide by them and you’ll be OK. No one is complaining that it is FREEE, that is is NOT CROWDED as they keep track of no. of people hence why they don’t let you just come in and sit, that is is CLEAN because they don’t let you take in foods or have clothes and shoes strewn everywhere, or that there’s minimal INJURIES because the lifeguards don’t let you run around or dive/​horse into the pool. Yes I do wish they would post their correct# and post their hours online but I guess that’s how they keep it from getting crowded. My kids love going for a dip on these hot Valley days.

This place is great– super fun for my 4 year old! wish they had more hours open during the week. The pool area and changing rooms were super clean. Went on a Monday and it was not crowded at all, went on Sunday afternoon — long line, we never got in. Only minor negative– the changing rooms were wet — everywhere.

Last week I made my first visit of the year to this County Pool. The hours have changed, free public swim is from 1200 – 1330. As the line files in, there is a liaison that counts people in and asks all the basic questions & statements, «Do you have a bathing suit?» «Do you know you have to accompany your children?» The pool can be busy on hot days, especially with the modified times. Staffing is adequate for the volume of people. Unfortunately, swim lesson sign ups are only on Saturday, which doesn’t really work for those of us who work Saturdays. Id really like them to step up and use the Internet in 2015. Last year pictures could be taken upon request to the lead lifeguard after all patrons had exited the pool. This year, lifeguard staff reports that there will be No photography in the pool this year. They said it’s because there was a child abduction last year. When I was a County Lifeguard, Other County pools in East LA had armed security. If there is a real worry about child and patron safety, I wonder why the county isn’t doing anything further to protect its patrons. I guess pictures from outside the gate will have to do for now, until they can resolve these safety issues in Arcadia Park.

The public is limited to 1 ½ a day on weekdays and the place is over run with kids from day camps. The lifeguards and staff and mostly teenagers who make no effort to be friendly or helpful. They are very big into their A-​thor-​eye-​tie.

With so many negative comments here, I should say it’s beyond my expectation. It’s a nice public pool to go with your kids, especially for free splash on summer weekends. The facility and staff there need a fair review and that’s how things gonna work out better.

Horrible! Stay away UNLESS you wear all WHITE, check in ALL possessions at the front window, and enter the pool area w/​swim attire only… no towels, water, or anything.
Bad enough their phone # is incorrect, but they wouldn’t let my wife in to sit near pool cuz she wasn’t wearing swim suit! Did I mention these idiots recommended she sit and watch from outside the gate like some peeping Tom! Plus w/​2 kids under 5, couldn’t even have their towels pool side! Fricken joke w/​ridiculous rules run by ridiculous people. Won’t come back EVER!

Quite clean for a city pool. There are always lanes open. No lockers necessary; you can fill a bag, and the workers will give you a tag for that bag. At $ 10 for 5 sessions and $ 25 for 15 sessions, it’s much cheaper than the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center, which is $ 65 per month.

Swimming here is cheap. Just $ 10 for 5 sessions. Unlike many public pools, this is open year round and the water is heated. At night, steam rises from the water like a hot spring. I love that the place is never crowded and I always get an entire lane to myself. There are a few problems.
1. No single use option. You must buy at least 5 sessions each time.
2. Very limited hours. They are only open 6−8PM daily.
3. RUDE STAFF. I have never felt so unwelcome in my life. Does everyone here hate their job? I cannot believe the tone these people use when speaking to swimmers.

What is offered to the public year-​round:
Lap Swim (ages 14+)
Monday thru Friday
6:00am-8:00am and 6:00pm-8:00pm
$ 7/​week or $ 25/​month
Aqua Aerobics (ages 17+)
Monday thru Friday
8:30am-9:30am
$ 7/​week or $ 25/​month
*They are working on daily passes, but unfortunately they are not offered yet.
They still offer FREE weekend public swim thru the end of October, 2014!
That is Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 — 5:00pm.
*proper swim attire is required.
*children six years and younger are required to be accompanied into the water by an adult.
Make sure to inquire about their adult swim lessons, which are offered Monday thru Friday from 5:00pm-6:00pm. All experience levels are welcomed and the instructors amazing.
The prices are minimal and the facility is safe, yet still beautiful. Staff is great, too.
*this info is current as of 10/​08/​2014

I am grateful that we found this facility and we found so many skillful and professional instructors in this facility. Instructor Gabriel was my first instructor who was extremely patient with me. I have to confess that I am just a senior and an extremely slow learner. I also found the BEST instructor Adrian who is very professional and patient. After so many years of trying in different facilities, I finally am able to swim this summer. My 11 years old son also found his BEST instructor Michael who corrected every deficient skills for him. He finally passed the level 4 training this summer. Facility is very clean and very safe. Lifeguards are very careful about every swimmers’ safety and we are very grateful. We truly wish that these training sessions will open through out the whole year!
Susan (Arcadia)

Easy parking, lots of free spots after 6:30pm when all the baby swimmers leave.
Parents feel very safe dropping off kids for their swimming lessons coz there is a gate and you always see the same people, instructors at the location. Trust me, if you are the new face, everybody can spot you out! Kids are trained to keep an eye on you and not hesitate to point you out to their instructors.
There is a great partially shaded spectators stand for parents to observe their kids. Yes, you do not need to be next to your kids when they practice, after all, kids can learn to be independent, socializing appropriately, following instruction ON THEIR OWN. Stop complaining about the pool rules. Just be a monster parent OUTSIDE the pool and it’s your own business.
One minor inconvenience is that there is a delay in turning on the lights in the changing room at dusk.
Another thing… There is scuba diving class every Tuesday and Thursday nights. Kind of cool, so go check it out. You may see them gliding across the pool floor. Wave and say hi.
The scuba diver who almost made contact with you was me, sorry I couldn’t sink to the bottom of the pool. But now I can handle it. Lol

Place was awesome for my toddlers. They have a kiddie pool for the little ones plus when we got there it was free. Can’t get any better than that. I also enrolled my daughter for swim class and only for $ 20? That’s unheard of. The people that work there are not very friendly but not rude either so for the price I can’t complain.

Current pool hours as of August 2014: Mon-​Fri 12:00 — 1:30. Sat 12:30 — 5:00. Sunday closed. Open until Sept 1, 2014 for free swim.
It can get crowded so you’re not guaranteed to get in. You may have to wait outside until pool visitors leave (max occupancy at free pool)
If you obey these rules nobody will correct you.
1. shower before entering pool area (sunscreen already on OUTSIDE the pool building).
2. if you bring ANY items to the pool, use the free locker (mesh bag) to put your items prohibited at the pool: (shoes sippycups toiletries water sunscreen towels phone) you can not take any items with you to the pool (sunglasses ok goggles ok sandals and watershoes ok).
3. First lifeguard at center pool instructs you to do first (of 2) swim test: front crawl (freestyle) across and back in the 4 foot deep lap area.
4. Second swim test at deep end (7 foot-​13 foot deep) where you tread water for 10 seconds.
5. Diving board rules: – no back dives – do not step on diving board until the previous diver has reached the wall. Diving is ONLY from the 2 diving boards. You may bounce only once on the diving board – no waiting on the diving board allowed. Take off your goggles when diving.
6. Pool in general: no running, no diving EXCEPT from diving board, no jumping into pool from the side (even if you are not «diving»)
YOU WILL BE YELLED AT IF YOU DO NOT OBEY – this is for your safety.
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Not ONE OF YOU would obey the weak request: «please walk by the pool»
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new phone number: (626) 821‑5894
North Pool 1: kids, water spraying, 1 foot deep.
Middle pool: Laps, wading, 4 feet
South pool: Laps, 2 Diving boards, 7 foot at shallowest, 13 foot under diving boards.
Admission is free

I tried to register for a swimming lesson for my son today. I called a day before for some information. The guy on the phone told me the registration would start at 10am but it would be better to show up early.
I showed up at 9:20am and there was a short line. I got in the line and filled out the registration form. It wasn’t bad at all! Then I waited… and waited till 10:20am, nothing happened, except the line became a mile longer. I was actually happy for showing up early because I was close.
Finally at 10:30am, a lady came out with a box of little pieces of paper. She asked us to randomly draw these papers out of the box that had numbers on them. I happened to get a very large number, which meant it was almost IMPOSSIBLE for me to even get registered! I asked around whether showing up early was meaningless since the chances were totally random. They said I was right. There was no point to be there early. I could have showed up at 11am but drawn a number 1 and get in front of everybody.
This was the most stupid experience I’ve ever had…

OMG. Was going to swim here, but the hours are M-​F 12:00 — 1:30. That is way too small of a window for me. BTW the new phone number is 626−821−5894. Apparently they changed it, but continue to publish their old number.

Extremely rude people. The pool/​facilities are nice but the lifeguards are sooooo rude. It’s as if they are actually trained and told to be rude. They scream, give attitude, etc. They need to take a fieldtrip to other aquatic centers because it seems like they think they need to be rude in order to do their job. And it’s all of them! Not just one. I’m not coming back here. They have stupid ridiculous rules and they spend their time trying to kill everyone’s happiness in the pool. Seriously– ridiculous!

This review would have been 4-​star if they had not changed their hours without any notice.
Their pool is clean and well staffed. There ARE rules, but I admit they keep the pool area clean and easy to manage. Only proper swimsuits, no towels, no floaties and you have to watch your kids.
There is a swim test in order to enter the deep end which seemingly you need to do each time. This actually kept the mass from the deep pool which allowed space for the two diving boards and some lap swimming!
My experience with the lifeguards was good enough, and when stung by a bee they handled it professionally. One of the lifeguards was also nice enough to come by and help teach our 8 year old and 9 year old how to dive.
There are rules but this is meant to keep the pool safe AND clean. Be prepared to follow the rules or do not go.

After reading the many 1 star reviews, I almost didn’t take the girls here [3 and 5 year old], but it’s soooo hot today!
I think they’ve read the Unilocal reviews and made some changes. I found that the person that greets you when you walk in was very pleasant and told me the rules etc. That actual pool area was great fun.
We only played an hour or so before they had to close it because there was poo in the pool! If the rules help them prevent this kind of thing from happening often, then bring on the rules, metal detectors, strip searches and anything else they want. That was a pretty disgusting experience.
that said… the pool is great, and they kicked everyone out, and I assume they are doing a thorough job cleaning every inch of that pool.