Dahu Park Swimming Pool - Mixed Feelings, Mixed Review

A couple of months ago, there was much buzz in the expat community about the newly-renovated Dahu Park swimming pool. Situated a very short walk from Dahu MRT Station, with a 50-meter outdoor pool right next to the beautiful park grounds, it was going to be a haven for us with children who love the water.

We visited it a few times in June.  The first couple of times, I was pretty impressed.  The outdoor pool is nice and open. There is an indoor pool and spa area.  The toddler's pool is quite nicely done.  The shower and toilet facilities are also nice and new.  So, what happened to make me change my mind and, with sadness, report that it is not that awesome?

• Showers:

Twice, the women's shower room has been flooded.  That means, we were all walking through ankle-deep water, with empty soap packs floating on top.

• Toilets:

They smell. Bad.  So bad that my daughter refuses to go in to them.

• Spa:

Last week, one of our friend's daughter pointed out the layer of skin scum floating on top of the spa pool. It was clearly visible.

• Slippery Floors:

I guess it's the result of the sheer number of visitors to the pool, but at the same time, I don't understand why the pool has to have a constant layer of water over the walking areas around it.  It's a bit gross, and more importantly, dangerous because the tiles are so slippery.

• Kiddie Pool:

It is now full of plastic ducks.  If a child falls under the ducks, nobody will be see her.  The ducks are also getting moldy.  Last year I finally got the plastic balls out of our local pool.  Don't people understand the dangers of not being able to see the bottom of a kiddie pool?

• Outdoor Pool:

OK, this one is a bit of a whine and probably not too consequential. The newly-set-up sun shelter is ugly and not really well thought out.  The beautiful view has been spoiled by the construction.  The sun shelter seems to be going the wrong way. If it was set from the building out, you could also cover the walkway and not the entire pool all day when the shade was in use.

The sheer number of people using the pool may be part of the challenge for this pool.  I hope they find a way to solve some of these problems, especially as summer starts.  Extra cleaning times and a study of the drainage issue might be a place to start.

The cafe on the second floor is very nice, I have to say.  The service and food both exceeded my expectations.  We took a group of children to the restaurant, and most could find something on the menu that they liked.  They do not cater for allergies, and the dishes are mostly creamier-style "Italian" food. It is good and fresh.  You also have a great view of the MRT, park, and pool.

In summary, it's not a bad place to go with your kids.  Just check out the pool's cleanliness, and keep an eye on your children when they are out of the pool.

Dahu Park Pool:

• Take the MRT to MRT Dahu Park Station. The park is a short walk from Exit 2.
  Public buses: Take the following buses to Dahu Park bus stop – 247, 247 Express, 247 Shuttle, 284, 287, 287 Express, 287 Night, 617, 620, 630, 677, 681, 683, BR10, BR19, R2, and R31.

Opening Hours:
Pool: 5:30am-10pm
Gym: 7am-10pm

Young Lohas Swim Club, Baifu District - Great Family Day Trip

It's pretty hard to find a pool facility that caters for all ages, has indoor and outdoor areas, and a 50-meter pool, in Taipei City.  That's why I feel very lucky to live near Young Lohas Club in Baifu, just past Shijhr (Xijhi?) on the train line from Taipei to Keelung.

If you click on this link and take a look at the pictures, you'll get an idea of what the club is like.  Situated in the lovely Baifu Park (great for kids, with grassy area, little trails, climbing frames you don't usually see in Taipei, basketball courts, and a little stream), Young Lohas Club is in some ways very "local", but definitely offers a lot that I like.

Available to non-members:
-50-meter outdoor pool, open all year
-25-meter indoor pool
-Outdoor kids' pool with water slide, open during Summer
-Little kids' pool with mini-slide and climbing equipment indoors
-Spa and sauna area

For members:
-Gym
-Aerobics, yoga, and dance classes
-Free tea and internet
-Table tennis and pool

For extra fee:
-Beauty spa with facials and massages

One of the great things about the pool is, it has things you don't usually see available. During Summer, they have pool parties, let the kids play water games, they have a Tarzan-style rope into the pool, you can usually jump into the pool outside without being nagged at, you can wear flippers, the lifeguards come out and shoot you with waterpistols now and then, they have huge bits of foam floating in the pool for the kids to climb on and blow-up water gear for kids to slide into the water from... all good fun, safe but not as uptight as other pools can be.  (Like all pools in Taiwan, you do need to wear a hat.)


During term-time, my kids are the only children in the pool during the day, unless a school is visiting.  It gets a little busy during Summer, but it's not crazy.  The lifeguards do a good job at coaching kids in group classes.  They all seem to work pretty hard when they teach.  My kids loved their classes.

The Xijhr Swimming Club trains there every morning, and they have lifeguarding courses throughout the year, too.

Membership works out to about TWD1400 per month.  You can also buy 50-visit cards for TWD7500.  Single visits are more expensive, at 250 per adult, but worth it if you want to make a day of it.

There is a very nice little coffee shop in the complex (closed Mondays), where you can sit for the entire afternoon if you choose.  They have Lavazza coffee and make it well.  Their meals are really fresh, too.

The complex is closed on the last Monday of the month.  The manager, Alan, speaks enough English to communicate with customers.  Staff are friendly but most don't speak English.

The complex is a 10-minute-walk from Baifu (百福) Train Station.  You can see it from the station, as well as from Wugu (五股）Exit of Highway One.  It's got a huge white roof.

Chinese Information:

百福水漾樂活會館 Young Lohas Club
基隆市七堵區實踐路259號(百福公園) TEL:02-24518188 FAX:02-24518669

Hours: Daily 5:30am-11pm, last entry 10pm, pool closes at 10:30pm

Chinese Map.  "百福 車站"=Baifu Train Station

 

 

Leofoo Water Park and Leofoo Safari/Fantasy Area for $999/ person

Future price will be $1299, but until September 30th, 2012, you can get an adult ticket for TWD999 per person.  This includes the original areas of Leofoo and the new water park.

The water park includes Taiwan's tallest waterslide.  It's 15 meters high. 

You have to rent a swimring thing and wear only swimsuits without buttons, snaps (anything that might scratch the slides or get caught on the ride).

Summer hours: 9am-9pm
Address: Leofoo Village Theme Park　TEL:(03)5475665　FAX:(03)5475660　Guanshi Jen, HsinChu County, TWN

English website: http://www.leofoo.com.tw/VILLAGE/waterpark/en/

Beitou Resort

http://btresort.trtc.com.tw/about1.aspx

This is near MRT Fuxingang station. It has an indoor children’s play area and costs about 60NT per hour.

112臺北市北投區大業路527巷88號 (Beitou District, Da Yeh Road Lane 527, No. 88)
Hours look like 9am-10pm

Dahu Swimming Pool Closed Until Dec 2012

I just saw this, and I feel a little embarrassed, as it's been closed since last November.

http://english.pslo.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=5753687&ctNode=10265&mp=106012

Dahu Park has been built for over 30 years, since 1979. In order to meet urban development needs and living environment improvement for citizens, Parks and Street Lights Office has undertaken “Dahu Park Improvement Project” since 2008. Also, Dahu swimming pool will be closed for renovation from September 1, 2011. Swimming pool renovation project is expected to be completed in December 31, 2012.
During the period of closure, you are invited to go to Neihu Sports Center or search for other sports centers nearby by Taipei Map of Exercise. Sorry for the inconvenience caused during the project.  After completion of the improvement project, we ensure to provide high quality leisure space and exercise environment with totally new look.

Wen-Shan Sports Center - Kids' Swimming Pool and Play Area

When I lived in Muzha, I often lamented the lack of good indoor swim facilities for children.  Now, with the builiding of the Wen-Shan Sports Center, there is a very nice child-friendly pool in the area.  Like all government-built sports center, it is well-priced, too.

You can park in the basement of the sports center, or enter from the first floor if you walk or take the bus.  You buy your tickets for the pool on the first floor.  If you have forgotten your goggles or swimcap, you can pick something up at the little store.  Head to the 3rd floor and put your card into the slot to enter the pool.  Right there on your left, there are two family changing rooms.  When we went last week, they were very clean and in good order.  Take your gear to the pool side and put it into the pay lockers ($10 per locker).  This pool has the system set up in a very family-friendly way (no running in and out of changing rooms like older sports centers).

The main pool has a large graduated slope into the pool, which is ideal for children learning to swim.  Just make sure the kids don't climb up onto the rails, or the lifeguards will come to get them!  There are two kids' pools - one 60cm deep and one 80cm deep.   In those pools, children can practice swimming.  Unlike pools I'm used to at home, there is no opportunity for playing or tomfoolery; it's all very serious.  The signs say, "This pool is for practicing swimming.  Do not play around."  So, it was a bit of a serious swim.  A fun, serious swim.  My kids had a great time, and are begging to go back.

*There is no soap or shampoo in the showers. It's best to take your own, as they currently only sell special shampoo at TWD450/bottle.

On the first floor of the facility, there is a nice little ball room and play area, and a coffee shop. There are other facilities and classes, but with the weather as it is, I think the swimming pool is the place to be!

Address: 台北市興隆路3段222號  Shinglong Road Sec 3, No. 222 (Just south of Wanfang Hospital)
Chinese Website: http://wssc.cyc.org.tw/

Here is a list (Chinese) of classes running at the moment.  They have swim classes for children aged 3 and up.

A list of spas and pools in Taipei and surrounds (English)

Thank you to the Parks and Street Light Office (who knew such an office existed?) for this list.

Yu Cheng Park Swimming Pool - Huge Outdoor Children's Pool

A lot of families like to visit Nankang Sports Center and use the two small children's pools.  But, did you know that just one street over is an older pool, with an enormous outdoor children's pool, outdoor lap-pool, and indoor pools and spa area, too? 

Situated in Yu Cheng Park (玉成公園), the indoor pool is open all year round, and the outdoor pools are open over the summer months (May to September).  The outdoor pool is perfect for children learning to swim, as it's deep enough for them do freestyle without hitting the bottom, but shallow enough for them to stand up to breathe. There is also a toddler pool with a little slide area, and a very big water slide.  Prices are public pool prices (about 100 for adults, 50 for children, but I can't remember exactly).  Staff are fairly easy-going, but they have one rule you have to remember - put your bags in a locker or outside, not in the indoor pool area.

There is a public carpark under the park itself.

No. 55 Chong-Po South Road, Nankang Area, Taipei
115台北市南港區中坡南路55號

Tel: 2727-1075

Taipei Metro BeiTou Resort

The Taipei Metro Bei Tou Resort was buillt for employee training during construction of the Bei Tou Electric and Machinery Plant.  In 2004, it was opened to the public.  It boasts an indoor children's playground, swimming pool, gym, basketball court, coin-operated games.

Membership:  $200/per year.  You need two ID photos to apply for the membership card.
Play Area: $60 for 1hr 50mins for members, $90 for nonmembers (take socks, parents free)
Parking: $40/car (no time limit)

Hours: 3pm~10pm Monday to Friday, 9am~10pm Holidays, Summer and Winter Vacation

Address: No. 88, Lane 527, DaYe Rd., BeiTou Dist., Taipei City (112臺北市北投區大業路527巷88號)
Tel: (02) 2893-0105
Website: http://btresort.trtc.com.tw/

Taipei Water Park - Museum, swimming, hiking

Located just five-minutes' walk from Gong Guan MRT station (behind the Gong Guan market), this is a great place to take kids of all ages.  The park itself is really big.  There is an interactive museum, hiking trail up to Taipei's first water reservoir, flower gardens, and of course water play areas.  You can learn all about the history and science of water in Taipei, or just enjoy a dip in the pools.

Area One: at Shu-Yuan Road side of the park
This is run in conjunction with the water park. At the entrance, there is one free paddling pool that is very shallow.  You can go in this one in your clothes if you like, and you can use any water toys you have.  It's a nice little place for kids to cool off.  Just past this area is the larger paddling pool.  Entrance is 40nt for kids and 80nt for adults.  You need swimsuits in this area.  You can take any water toys you like in there to play with.  There is a climbing frame and slide in the middle of the pool.  It can get pretty hot as there is no shelter over the pool, so it's good to take sunhats to wear in the pool.  Snacks are available.

Area Two: Ding-Jou Road side of the park
This is run separately from the water park.  Entrance fee is 250 per adult, 150 for children 120cm or below.  This is a huge swimming club, with indoor and outdoor areas, water slides, inner tubes for rent, steam rooms and spa area...  Here is a link to some pictures:
http://waterpark.twd.gov.tw/english/teach/teach.htm

The English website is very comprehensive, so I won't bother going into too much detail here.  Please check the opening dates, times, and fees before you go, as they are a little complicated.  One of the best things about this park is it's easy to access, with MRT, lots of buses, and plenty of carparking right in the park itself.
http://waterpark.twd.gov.tw/english/index_e.htm

Chung Shan Community Sports Center - indoor kiddies' pool

The Chung Shan sports center behind the Chungshan MRT station (Chung Shan North Road Sec 2, Lane 42, about 3 lanes behind Idee Dept store on the north-west side of chungshan/nanking intersection) has a nice pool, with kid's pool, etc. I have seen their swimming coaches teaching little tots to swim, they seem really patient and professional, the kids were laughing and having fun with all the stuff.  When I last visited, their "family change room" is just behind a plastic rolling door next to the pool,  and they can be strict with their "no boys over 5 years in the ladies' changing room" rule.

Wan Fang Community Pool - shaded outdoor pool

Wanfang Community Pool is an outdoor pool with sun cover. It has a kid's pool but parents will need to get in with little ones as it is not a paddling pool. There is a very wide slide into the water that is open at limited times during the day.  You need swimming caps and swimsuits (not beach shorts). They sell drinks and Chinese snacks like instant noodles, but best to bring your own snacks. You can buy some swim toys if you need them. There is a 7-11 just up the road from the pool.  The showers are pretty basic, just be prepared for that. The pool area itself is quite good for families.


Address in Chinese:

萬和街2號(萬芳公園內) Wan-he Street No. 2 (Part of Wanfang Park), Muzha

You can take the MRT (zoo line) to Wanfang Community stop. Come out of the exit. Face the hill in front of you. That road is Wan-he Street. It's maybe a five-minute walk up the hill, less if you don't have kids with you. The pool is on the right, part way up the windy road.

Cost is low, about 50twd for kids and 100tw for adults.
It's fairly easy to find on-street parking near the pool.

Fu Yuan Pool - Indoor and Outdoor Pools

May 1st is the start of the outdoor swimming pool season! It's time to take the kids out with their swimsuits, sunscreen and of course swimming caps.


Fu Yuan is a great pool to go to in summer, particularly early mornings and later in the afternoon. It can get a little hot around noon-time if you want to use the huge children's pool. There is an outdoor kids' pool, indoor lap pool, and indoor spa areas. Changing rooms are fairly basic but there are showers and toilets. Entry is very reasonable, at around 50nt for children and 100nt for adults.

The pool is on FuYuan St.which runs between MinQhuan E.Rd Sec 5 and MinSheng Rd Sec. 5. Right next to MinSheng Jr. High School 民生國中.

You can take bus 225 to the pool.

Da An Sports Center

As part of my ongoing "research", I visited the Da An Sports Center swimming pool with my three-year-old daughter today.  This is probably the newest of the centers at time of writing.  They have some great deals right now, such as 30% discount on swimming classes for children if you enrol this month, and swimming entry price just TWD50 instead of the listed TWD90 per adult.

There are two main pools in the building, as well as a water spa area.  The water spa area is surrounded by glass, giving it a more  "outdoor" feel.  The first pool is maybe 10 lanes.  There is a chair for zero-entry into the pool.  The second pool is smaller, and is the "children's" pool.

This children's pool is not exactly a children's pool.  It is about 15 meters long, five lanes across.  At the shallow end it is 70cm deep, and at the deep end it is 110cm deep.  The great thing about this set-up is, the smaller pool is dedicated to swim instruction and practice, keeping learners and dedicated swimmers separate, and allowing me to actually teach my daughter some swim techniques.  However, it's important to be aware that there is no very shallow area for little ones to just play around.  If your children are very small, this pool is probably not so well-suited to your needs, but it is wonderful for those say three to twelve years who want to learn how to swim in a nice, calm environment.  Like all pools in Taiwan, you need a swimcap.  There are extra armbands at poolside, but no other flotation devices are available at the moment.

The new sports center has a roller blading rink for use at 150/person/time, a nice little  indoor play area for free use, and the usual gym setup.  There doesn't seem to be any convenience store or coffee shop inside the building.  Parking is in the basement.  The carparks all wider than the average Taipei carpark, and the charge is TWD30/hr.

Website: http://dasc.cyc.org.tw/

Address: Hsin Hai Road Sec 3, No. 55 (Just south of the Keelung/Hsin-Hai intersection)

Hours: 6am-10pm daily

Da Tong Sports Center

I haven't been here yet, but the pictures of the kids' pool on the website has me excited!

Address: 臺北市大同區大龍街51號 Da-tong District, Da-Long Street, No. 15


02-2592-0055
 
Website (Chinese): http://taipeidt.com/

Wan-Hua Sports Center - Child-friendly pool & center

Situated in Shimending, Wan-Hua Sports Center is one of the newer sports facilities in Taipei City. 

The swimming  pool is really nice for families to go to.  The children's pool is up to 90cm deep and is long enough to actually have kids practice swimming in if you would like.  They also have a small waterspa/sauna area and a 6-lane pool.  The changing rooms are large, clean, and have hot water, although you do need to supply your own soap and shampoo.  There is a zero-entry pool lane option, with wheelchair access right to the poolside, where you then transfer to a seat that lowers into the water.  They have regular group swim classes for children including a swim club with a real training kind of feel to it. Pool cost is 110TWD for adults, 80TWD for students, and 50TWD for children under 12years.

The center has a very large padded area on the 1st floor for children to run and play in.  Parents can get a coffee at Ikari and then enjoy it at tables while they watch their kids play inside the playroom.  The room is free to use.

There is also a climbing wall, paintball area, golf range, tabletennis, basketball, gym, dance room, spinning (bike) classes, and other areas and activities to join in the building.  There is a small soccer field out front complete with nets, and a park next to the building.

Address:  Shi-Ning South Road No.6-1 (near the National Tax Office in Shimending) - Easy to get to by MRT or bus, with underground parking for vehicles up to 2m high.
Tel: 02-23818878
Website: http://whsc.cyc.org.tw/

Da Hu Park Swimming Pool

This is one of the favorites of the Taipei City Playgroup I belong to.  It used to be quite "out of the way" for many people in Taipei City, but with the new MRT line it should be much easier to get to.

The pool is right next to Da Hu Park in Neihu.  There are:

• Outdoor lap-pool
• Outdoor children's pools with lazy river, water slides, and water shallow enough for toddlers to walk in
• Indoor lap-pool
• Indoor kid's pool
• Indoor water-spa area
• Sheltered tables outdoors
• Non-slip mats around outdoor pools
• Showers and changing facilities
• Basic food area (canned drinks, instant noodles, hotdogs for sale)
• Car parking in the grounds and along the road by the facility
• Special chairs with disabled access to the pool
•  

Admission is really reasonable, something like 80 for adults and 50 for children. 

As with all pools in Taiwan, you must wear a swimming cap.  You can buy them at the counter.  Also, the outdoor pools are open in summer months.

Location：Neihu District, Chenggong Rd. Sec. 5, #31

Transportation：Bus 0 East, 267, 278, 284, 287, 613, 617, 620, 630

Bo Jia Sports Park, Muzha

This "sports park" is actually a building just off Muzha Road Sec 4. (A short walk from the MRT station.) It's not large but it does offer a place to take your children.
On the first floor, there is a play area with climbing equipment including a "rock-climbing" frame (plastic). It also has an outdoor play area and garden. (No eating indoors but there is a water machine in the indoor area).  Some local moms I know have playgroups there, including small-group storytelling.

B1 is a swimming pool with 6 lanes. The two outer lanes are for free play/children swimming. It's a 25-m pool. Lanes are 2 meters wide, middle depth 140cm, either end is 120cm, temp is 29 degrees. Water is warmed up and chlorine etc checked every two hours. Water is completing changed once a month. There is extra heating next to the pool so you won't get cold too easily. Pool is open from 5:30am to 9pm, in 4 sessions: 5:30-7:20, 8:30-11:15, 1:30-4:15, 6pm-8:40pm. You can use floaters, swim rings etc for kids, but need to bring your own.
2F is a reading room and will later have a library. There is also a small gym, with 3 running machines and a couple of other things.
3F has two rooms which you can use for meetings, such as reading clubs or whatever you fancy.
This facility, including swimming pool, is free for residents of Wen-Shan district, Neihu, beitou, Nankang (Nangang), Shilin ("taipei area 5"). If you're not from these areas, you pay adult 110 or 80 kids (students, or under 110cm). Over 65s half price.

Address; Muzha Road Sec 4, Lane 159, No. 16
Tel: 2239-5494

10 min walk from Muzha Line's Muzha station.

Take buses: 251, 252, 647, 660, 666, 902, 915, S10, BR3, BR7, get off at Bo Jia Elementary School stop.
 
Carparking in the basement.
Remember to take ID, and swimming caps if you use the pool.