We welcome new members!

Anyone may apply to become an Equity Member with priority given to residents who live in the immediate neighborhood around the pool. Note: This is the area bounded by Goldsboro Road (S), MacArthur Boulevard (W), Wilson Road (N), and River Road (E).

Equity Members enjoy swim privileges at Merrimack throughout the entire swim season from mid-May until the close of the season in mid-September, and children may join the Merrimack Swim & Dive Teams, with first-option for Minis enrollment. Equity Members have lower season dues with fees capped at four family members, the option to convey the membership with the sale of their home, and voting rights on major decisions affecting the pool.

Be advised that due to high demand there is an extensive waitlist for Equity Membership. Because the Corporation has limited membership, it requires current members to sell their Equity Member deposit before others can be invited to join.

The Board has created two categories* that allow usage of the facilities while on the waitlist. These are non-shareholder swim privileges offered on an annual basis and each category has limits to avoid overcrowding at the pool. Late Summer, which provides access to the pool from August 1 until Closing Day in mid-September, is usually offered a couple of years after submitting an application. For the 2024 season we were able to offer swim privileges to everyone who applied by May 1,  2024. Full Summer swim privileges are offered to the top families on the waitlist, usually 2-4 years after submitting an application. These are not precise determinations because each category, like Equity Membership, is dependent upon the movement of others on the waitlist ahead of new applicants. Be advised that if conditions exist, such as Covid, those offered Late Summer swim privileges in one year are not necessarily guaranteed swim privileges in the next season.

There is a one-time $50 non-refundable fee to join the waitlist. New Equity Members pay a one-time membership share of $1,900 that is fully refundable upon resignation in addition to annual season dues. Dues for 2025 are $415 for the first adult family member and $110 for additional immediate family members residing in the household. Equity Members pay for no more than 3 additional family members. The caregiver fee for Equity Members is $110. Children born after 5/10/2023 are free.

The dues for Full Summer in 2025 are $590 for the first adult family member and $200 for each additional immediate family member residing in the household. The caregiver fee is $200. Children born after 5/10/2023 are free.

Equity Members and Full Summer accounts not using the pool during the summer, may elect “inactive” status and pay the $250 inactive fee. Please note that the inactive status may only be used three times during the lifetime of the account for Equity Members (two for Full Summer) without Board approval.

Late Summer offers are sent via email to accounts of the previous year in good standing. In 2025 the dues are $390 for the first adult family member and $110 for each additional family member residing in the household. The caregiver fee is $110. Children born after 5/10/2023 are free.

Swim and Dive Team participation is available to Equity Members and Full Summer accounts but it is not possible for Late Summer accounts because the team seasons end in July. Only active account members may participate on the teams, take lessons, or attend the camp.

Be sure your account has personal contact information for each adult, photos for all account members, and an emergency contact who is not an account member. Add MerrimackPool@gmail.com to your contacts/safe senders to receive pool communications. Please keep your account contact information up-to-date (personal, not work emails) for each adult so that we are able to contact you when swim privileges become available. Offers are sent via email by April to accounts from the previous year in good standing. If Full Summer accounts do not register by the deadline, the account is closed, then offers are sent to those next on the waitlist.

If swim privileges are offered, the account must be registered to be active or inactive for each season to retain the waitlist position. Waitlist positions are forfeited if there is no response to the season dues registration offers. Season Dues are neither pro-rated nor refundable.

To add your name to the waitlist, complete this form and submit the non-refundable $50 application fee to apply for swim privileges at Merrimack Pool.

Questions? Contact: MerrimackPool@gmail.com

A member-owned and -operated community pool in the Bannockburn neighborhood of Bethesda, Maryland, Merrimack has been offering members fun in the sun and cool in the pool for over 50 years. We are located at the end of a quiet street surrounded by trees on a spacious property that includes a grassy play area with picnic tables and ample parking. The heated outdoor pool is open each season from mid-May until mid-September.

We have a 7-lane competition pool and a large diving well with dual 1-meter boards. We also offer a wonderful kiddie pool area with a graduated beach entry, bubblers, and a “lemon drop” fountain sprayer. A transition pool that is 12′ x 30′ and 3-foot deep is perfect for kids just learning to swim.

In 2018, the property was fully renovated to include a new entry check-in gatehouse, updated and remodeled women’s and men’s bathhouse locker rooms. Ping pong and foosball tables are also available on the patio deck.

Merrimack is part of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) and the Montgomery County Diving League (MCDL) and its teams offer summer team practice programs from May to July. Swimmers participate in competitive swim and dive meets against other county pools in June and July. Swimming and diving lessons are available to members from our approved pool member lifeguards and swim and dive team coaches. Early bird swim is available during weekday mornings from June into August. Merrimack provides a friendly social environment where members can enjoy summer camaraderie and fun, especially during social events and holiday parties.

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at this community pool to meet neighbors and to support the pool activities.

* For clarification, you are on the waitlist for Equity Membership (with priority given to residents who live within the boundaries) when offered Full or Late Summer swim privileges. Equity Members of the Merrimack Pool Recreation Association have paid an equity deposit (currently $1,900) in the privately-owned Corporation. Because the Corporation has limited membership, it requires current members to sell their equity shares before others can be invited to join. The Board created two categories that allow usage of the facilities while on the waitlist. Late Summer swim privileges occur a year or two after application providing access to the pool from August until mid-September. Swim & Dive Team participation is limited to Equity Members and Full Summer accounts because their season has completed by the time Late Summer swim privileges begin. Based on the waitlist size you can expect to be offered Late Summer swim privileges for two to three years. The progression is then to Full Summer privileges until an Equity Membership becomes available. These are not precise determinations because each category, like Equity Membership, is dependent upon the movement of others on the waitlist. To remain on the waitlist, you must respond to each offer for swim privileges.