This event honors five decades of service, water safety, and recreation in South King County. Your presence will help us celebrate our past and inspire the next generation of aquatic access and community health.
Mount Rainier Pool
50th Anniversay
Sunday, September 21
Dedication: Noon
Free Swim: 1 to 3 p.m.
Mount Rainier Pool to Celebrate 50 Years of Community Impact with Dedication Event on September 21
Des Moines, WA — [September 12, 2025] – The Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District is proud to announce the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Mount Rainier Pool, taking place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Mount Rainier Pool, 22722 19th Ave South in Des Moines.
The event marks five decades of aquatic service to Des Moines and the surrounding South King County region. Built in 1975 as part of the regional Forward Thrust initiative, the Mount Rainier Pool has played a vital role in community wellness, water safety, and recreation for generations.
Dedication Ceremony Begins at 12:00 PM
Dignitaries and community leaders will join current and former staff, board members, and residents for a formal ceremony featuring:
- A welcome address by Board President Shane Young
- Recognition of dignitaries and past board members
- A keynote address by City Manager Katherine Caffrey
- A proclamation honoring James R. Ellis, the civic leader behind Forward Thrust
- A plaque unveiling and announcement of James Ellis Day
- A call to action for the next 50 years of aquatic access
- Free community swim from 1:00–3:00 PM
Proclamation in Honor of James R. Ellis
The Board of Commissioners will present a special proclamation honoring the late James R. Ellis, whose leadership helped create 17 public pools in King County. In recognition of his legacy, the District announced the Second Saturday of each year will now offer free community access to the Mount Rainier Pool in honor of Mr. Ellis.
“James Ellis believed public infrastructure was about equity, access, and civic pride,” said District General Manager, Scott Deschenes. “It’s our privilege to honor that legacy with an open door for the entire community each second Saturday of September.”
James Ellis had an impact on almost all people living in King County that expanded past swimming pools. Click here for more information about James R. Ellis.
A Living Legacy of Access and Inclusion
The Mount Rainier Pool continues to serve thousands of youth and families each year, with a renewed focus on removing barriers for underserved and immigrant communities through programs like Kids Swim Free. The 50th Anniversary event will include facility tours, historical displays, giveaways, and opportunities to learn about the District’s future plans.
Images of Grand Opening
Below are some images from the Grand Opening on September 15, 1975 that included diving and synchronized swimming demonstrations.
FREE SWIM 1-3PM
In honor of James Ellis, we would like to invite you to our annual FREE Swim on Sunday, September 21 from 1-3pm.
The pool will be setup as open swim with diving and water walk.
There will be no preregistration for the event.
All participants will receive a FREE honorary 50th Anniversary Duck in commemoration of the event.
POOL CLOSED REGULAR HOURS
The event will require all hands on deck, and the pool will be closed regular hours on Sunday, September 21 from 9am-1pm to prepare and execute the event.
You and your family are more than welcome to attend the free swim from 1-3pm.
QUESTIONS
Do you have more questions or want to speak to someone in person? Our staff is here to help. You can call them at (206) 824-4722 or at FrontDesk@MtRainierPool.com.
Office hours are:
- Mon - Fri, 6am-1pm & 4-8:30pm
- Saturday, 9am-1:30pm
- Sunday, 9am-1pm
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
