Aquatic Fun Centers

The City of Ocala's two summer pools, with water slides, a waterfall, spray features, and swim lessons

The City of Ocala operates two aquatic fun centers: Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center (2390 SE 36th Ave) and Hampton Aquatic Fun Center (255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd). Both are pools with spray features, a waterfall, and water slides, and both host swim lessons. They open in summer only, and admission is $3 per child and $5 per adult per session, with lifeguards on duty. They are not free splash pads; for those, see the city's splash pads. These centers are part of Ocala's comprehensive sports programs.

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Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center

What Are the Key Details?

Address

2390 SE 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471

Season

May - September (weather dependent)

Contact

(352) 368-5517

What Amenities Are Available?

  • Water slides (riders 44 inches and taller)
  • Zero-depth entry, 5.5 ft maximum depth
  • Spray features and a waterfall
  • Learn to Swim and Mommy and Me lessons

Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center is part of the Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex in southeast Ocala. It runs the longest season of the two city pools (through Sept. 7 in 2026, weekends only from Aug. 9) and hosts the city's May Learn to Swim sessions and its Junior Lifeguard course for ages 13-15. Outside food, drinks, and coolers are not allowed; concessions are sold.

Hampton Aquatic Fun Center

What Are the Key Details?

Address

255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Ocala, FL 34475

Season

Summer (2026 season ended Aug. 2)

Contact

(352) 368-5517

What Amenities Are Available?

  • Water slides (riders 44 inches and taller)
  • Spray features and a waterfall
  • Zero-depth entry, 5.5 ft maximum depth
  • Learn to Swim and senior AquaFit classes

Hampton Aquatic Fun Center is in the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, next to the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center in northwest Ocala. It has the same setup and prices as Jervey Gantt, hosts Learn to Swim sessions from June to early August and an AquaFit water exercise class for ages 50 and up, and in 2026 its season ended Aug. 2.

What Swim Lessons and Classes Are Offered?

Age Groups Served

• Infants & Toddlers (parent-child classes)

• Preschoolers (ages 3-5)

• Children (ages 6-12)

• Teenagers & Adults

• Teens 13-15 (Junior Lifeguard course)

Instruction Focus

• Water safety fundamentals

• Basic swimming strokes

• Treading water & survival skills

• Floating and efficient strokes

In 2026, Learn to Swim ran at Jervey Gantt in two-week sessions from May 4 to May 28 (5 and 5:45 p.m. slots) and at Hampton in five two-week sessions from June 1 to Aug. 6 (morning slots from 9:30 a.m.). Each session is eight lessons, Monday through Thursday. Call Recreation & Parks at (352) 368-5517 for the coming season's dates.

What Visiting Tips and Guidelines Should You Know?

What to Bring

• Swimsuit

• Towel

• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)

• Water bottle

• Flip-flops or water shoes

Safety Requirements

• Lifeguards on duty

• Swim diapers for young children

• Adult supervision always

• Clear pool rules enforcement

• No outside food, drinks, or coolers

Best Times to Visit

• Morning sessions (check which days run them)

• Late afternoon (cooler temperature)

• Avoid peak afternoon heat

• Check holiday hours

• Early season is less busy

Safety Standards

Both pools have lifeguards on duty. City rules: children under 12 must be with someone 16 or older at all times, infants and toddlers must wear swim diapers, water wings and swim aids are not allowed, swimmers must be at least 44 inches tall to ride the slide, and there is no re-entry after you leave. The city may close a pool during operating hours when conditions require it.

How Do the Two Facilities Compare?

FeatureJervey GanttHampton
LocationSE OcalaNW Ocala
WaterslidesYesYes
DepthZero-depth entry to 5.5 ftZero-depth entry to 5.5 ft
Spray Features & WaterfallYesYes
Swim LessonsAvailableAvailable

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours for Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center?
Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center operates seasonally, typically from late May through early September. The City of Ocala runs it on a session schedule: Tuesday through Saturday there is a morning session from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and an afternoon session from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, while Sunday and Monday offer the afternoon session (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM) only. Late in the season the schedule shifts to weekends only. Hours can change year to year, so confirm current sessions with the City of Ocala Recreation & Parks Department at (352) 368-5517 before visiting.
How much does it cost to swim at Ocala's aquatic centers?
Admission to the City of Ocala Aquatic Fun Centers is affordable. Per-session admission is $3 for children ages 17 and under and $5 for adults ages 18 and up. Passes good for 15 visits cost $30 for youth and $50 for adults; unused visits are not refunded and passes expire at the end of the season. Confirm current pricing with the City of Ocala Recreation & Parks Department at (352) 368-5517 or ocalafl.gov/aquatics, as rates can change season to season.
Do Ocala's aquatic fun centers offer swim lessons?
Yes. The City of Ocala runs Learn to Swim at both pools: eight lessons over two weeks, Monday through Thursday, with students grouped by swimming level. Jervey Gantt sessions run in May and Hampton sessions run June through early August. Both pools also offer Mommy and Me lessons for children under 4, with a parent in the water. Call Recreation & Parks at (352) 368-5517 to register.
What is the difference between Jervey Gantt and Hampton aquatic centers?
The city describes them the same way: each has spray features, a waterfall, and water slides, with a zero-depth entry and a maximum depth of five and a half feet, and the same admission. Jervey Gantt is at 2390 SE 36th Ave in southeast Ocala; Hampton is at 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in northwest Ocala. In 2026 Hampton's season ended Aug. 2 and Jervey Gantt's ended Sept. 7.
Are the aquatic fun centers open year-round?
No, Ocala's aquatic fun centers operate seasonally, typically opening in May and closing in September. They are closed during the winter months. Hours may also vary on holidays and for special events. Check with the City of Ocala Recreation & Parks for exact opening and closing dates each season.

What Related Activities Are Available in Ocala?

Swimming Pools

Learn more

Splash Pads

Learn more

Water Parks

Learn more

Swim Lessons

Learn more

Parks & Recreation

Learn more

Kids Activities

Learn more

Ready to Make a Splash?

Visit Jervey Gantt or Hampton Aquatic Fun Centers this summer. Register for swim lessons today and make memories with your family!

En Español

Centros Acuáticos de Ocala (Jervey Gantt y Hampton)

Los Aquatic Fun Centers de la Ciudad de Ocala son parques acuáticos con toboganes, piscinas y áreas de chapoteo. El centro de Jervey Gantt está en 2390 SE 36th Ave (Ocala, FL 34471) y el centro Hampton está en 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave (Ocala, FL 34475). La entrada por sesión cuesta $3 para niños de 17 años o menos y $5 para adultos de 18 años en adelante. Funcionan por temporada, generalmente de finales de mayo a principios de septiembre, con sesiones de mañana y tarde de martes a sábado. Para confirmar horarios y precios actuales, llame al Departamento de Recreación y Parques de la Ciudad de Ocala al (352) 368-5517.