Wooster's Christmas Run Pool won’t open this summer
Wooster’s iconic Christmas Run Pool will be closed during the 2025 season for long-awaited renovations.
Wooster’s iconic Christmas Run Pool will be closed during the 2025 season for long-awaited renovations. The City of Wooster announced the $5.5 million project has been in the works for some years. The investment is centered on making the pool more accessible, sustainable and enjoyable for the entire community.
The newly renovated facility is scheduled to reopen in summer 2026. All other parts of Christmas Run Park will remain open as usual this year.
Christmas Run Pool was opened to the public on July 5, 1948. Its construction was made possible through the generosity of the Freedlander and Miller families. Renovations have been in the city’s capital plans for the past five years.
“The facility has long outlasted its life expectancy and is overdue for upgrades to its filtration systems, mechanics, gas and water lines, lighting, security, accessibility, et cetera,” recreation manager Ashley Hershberger said.
Key upgrades to the pool area include a new zero-depth entry, which offers a gradual, beach-like slope into the water to improve access for young children, seniors and those with mobility challenges. Additional features include new water slides and interactive spray elements to create a more exciting experience for swimmers of all ages. The renovation also includes upgraded mechanical and filtration systems to improve water quality, enhance safety and reduce maintenance needs.
The renovation project extends beyond the pool to the surrounding area. A new parking lot will be constructed in front of the pool house to improve traffic flow and accessibility. Lighting around the facility will be upgraded, and security cameras will be added in and around the facility to increase safety and deter vandalism.
Additionally, the current back parking lot will be converted into a new greenspace that will be a part of the pool area during the pool season and will be available year round for picnics, events and community use. Additional trees and plantings will be added around the site and the new parking lot to preserve the park’s natural beauty.
An upgraded nature walk will offer a scenic route through the park. Infrastructure improvements to stormwater and utility systems also are part of the renovation to support long-term sustainability.
Pool passes are currently on sale at the Wooster Community Center.
“With this investment in Christmas Run Pool, pool pass prices and daily admission fees will remain the same,” Hershberger said.
Freedlander Pool and Knights Field Sprayground will open Saturday, May 24, and pool pass holders also will have access to the Ellen Shapiro Natatorium at Wooster High School from Memorial Day weekend through Dec. 31. Through the city’s partnership with the YMCA of Wayne County, YMCA members also will have access to city aquatic facilities during the summer.
The project will be funded through capital infrastructure, financing and grants. For ongoing updates and information about the renovation and all aquatic offerings, visit www.woosteroh.com.
“This project is about so much more than just updating a pool; it’s about investing in the future of our community,” Hershberger said. “For decades Christmas Run has been a place where families gather, kids learn to swim and memories are made. With this renovation we’re ensuring it remains a special place for future generations to create their own memories.
“We took a close look at the city’s comprehensive plan, considered both the positive and constructive feedback we’ve received, and developed a strategy built on years of experience managing an aging facility. Our goal is to make decisions that benefit the community now and for many years to come. We’re creating a space where people of all ages and abilities can come together, recharge and enjoy everything the park has to offer year round. Wooster has always shown up for Christmas Run, and we’re excited to see what’s next.”