Barnes Park Aquatic Center
Project Description
Dedicated on March 21, 1949, the Barnes Park Pool was a cornerstone of recreation and community life in Monterey Park. Located in the city’s signature civic green space, it provided generations with swim lessons, aquatics programs, and a place for leisure and wellness. With its 50m, 8-lane Olympic pool and smaller instructional pool, it served competitive training, family use, and even Olympic athletes during the 1984 Games. Despite the City’s efforts, the facility reached the end of its service life and closed after summer 2021, marking the conclusion of its historic role and the urgent need for a new center to serve future generations.
Currently all aquatics programs are being held at George Elder Park pool. The pool remains operational and no decisions have been made regarding the future of the George Elder Park pool.
Community Driven Progress
The City Council prioritized development of the Parks System Master Plan to guide the future of Monterey Park’s open spaces, recreational programming, and public facilities. Launched in March 2024 with support from LA County Measure A, the plan was completed and adopted on August 6, 2025. Through community surveys, park audits, and public workshops, residents consistently emphasized the need for a safe, modern swimming facility, leading the plan to identify the Barnes Park Aquatic Center as one of the city’s highest-priority reinvestment sites.
Conceptual Design
The City received community input on conceptual designs for the revitalization of the Barnes Park Pool. On February 2, 2026, a Conceptual Design meeting was held at the Langley Center, with a public presentation that shared results from the previous community survey and public meetings. Presentation slides. The Barnes Park Pool Conceptual Survey closed on February 17, 2026. Results from the community engagement process were presented at the March 18, 2026, City Council meeting. City Council voted to proceed with conceptual design Option B, which includes a 50-meter x 25-yard Competition Pool and a 25-yard Recreation Pool. The estimated cost for Option B as of March 18, 2026, is between $28 and $32.5 million.
Next Steps
The next phase is to develop construction documents and identify funding sources for future construction. On August 19, 2026, the City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to HGW Architecture for $1,740,000 for the preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates for the Barnes Park Aquatic Center. Once the agreement is finalized, HGW will begin a 13-month process that will include community engagement as they advance the City-approved concept through various design development stages, preparing full architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and aquatic engineering plans. Information about future community meetings will be shared on this page at a later date.
Project Funding
The City continues to explore grants, public funds, and partnerships to bring the new pool from vision to reality. On February 18, 2026, the City Council approved $1 million toward the cost of construction documents for the design of the Barnes Park Aquatic Center. On March 17, 2026, the City was awarded a $500,000 Planning and Design grant from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to help prepare construction documents and engineering plans for the Barnes Park Aquatic Center.
The City has applied for the following competitive funding opportunities:
- Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant ($6 million application request w/ a 50% match) - Awarded
- Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Spaces District, Planning & Design Grant ($500,000 application request, no match) - Awarded
- Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, Regional Recreation Grant ($4 million, application request, no match) - Not Awarded
- LA84 Foundation, Large Grant (Letter of Intent submitted for a grant request of $1,250,000) - Not Awarded
- Statewide Park Program - Grant opportunity anticipated for Fall/Winter 2026
- On May 20, 2026, the Monterey Park City Council established a temporary Ad Hoc subcommittee to explore funding strategies for the Barnes Park Aquatic Center.
PREVIOUS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS FOR CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
Sessions provided information about the proposed revitalization of the community pool and how it will benefit residents of all ages. Attendees were able to share their feedback, ask questions, and help shape a facility that reflects the needs and priorities of the community.
FEB 2nd, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Langley Center, 400 W Emerson Ave
NOV 17th, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Bruggemeyer Library, 318 S. Ramona Ave.
NOV 6th, 2025 | 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Langley Center, 400 W Emerson Ave
626-307-1320