Tacoma Pools Map

View and filter all the pools in Tacoma in one map (for the first time)!

Instructions:

A full-screen version of this web app can be found here.

On the left-hand side of the web app, you will see various filters that can be applied to the map. For example, you can remove all spray pools from the map via the "Pool Type Filter." You can also remove all pools that are owned by hotels and residential complexes via the "General Use Pools Toggle."

Below the filter pane, you will see a legend that demonstrates how each pool type is symbolized.

At the bottom of the app, there is a table for you to view the names and various attributes of each of these pools. This list will update when filters are applied, and the "Total" demonstrates the total number of pools that exist under the current filters. By default, the map has no filters applied. You can also click on pins or polygons to read more details about a specific pool (like its address).

Background:

The Aspen Institute recently completed a report that stated children in the city of Tacoma have limited access to athletic facilities. At Metro Parks Tacoma, we received this information and wanted to better understand the available assets within the city. One aspect of this analysis included mapping all athletic facilities to determine the community's geographic access to these locations and any potential distribution inequities.

A component of this project that I particularly enjoyed was mapping all publicly accessible pools within Tacoma. From what I could discern, this is the first time such a comprehensive map has been put together. I partnered with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, who license each of these pools, by obtaining a list of all water recreation facilities. The geographic coordinates of the data that we received were slightly inaccurate, and certain parcel IDs were no longer correct. So, the exact polygons and coordinates of each pool were determined via rigorous methods that included analyzing current satellite imagery, verifying pool addresses, examining City of Tacoma building footprint layers, and ground truthing. I then developed an easy-to-use web app that allows you to view statistics and metadata of pools, apply filters, and more. I accomplished this with ArcGIS Experience Builder. In a similar project, I also mapped and created an Experience Builder app for all outdoor school-owned athletic facilities (such as baseball fields, multipurpose fields, etc.) within Tacoma.

"Water recreation facility" is defined in section 70.90.110 of Washington Law as "any artificial basin or other structure containing water used or intended to be used for recreation, bathing, relaxation, or swimming, where body contact with the water occurs or is intended to occur and includes auxiliary buildings and appurtenances. The term includes, but is not limited to: Conventional swimming pools, wading pools, and spray pools."

Permits for water recreation facilities fall under "General Use" or "Limited Use." "General Use" refers to pools owned by MPT, schools, private clubs, and athletic facilities, as well as spray pools. "Limited Use" refers to pools belonging to hotels or residential complexes. This data is not live and is a snapshot of the available WRF locations during 2024.