2018 Golden Teddy Awards — Out + About

Winner: Lynnwood Recreation Center

Water lovers agree that the Lynnwood Recreation Center has room for every type of swimmer. There’s a pool with many exciting elements: thrilling spray features, a lazy river and a sensational waterslide that kids will slide down again and again. Readers also love the hot tub that’s within watching distance of the pool, the super warm-water therapy pool for quiet time with a baby or little one and a lap pool for serious teen swimmers.

Finalists

Families around the Sound love the Mountlake Terrace Pool. The youngest of swimmers can’t get enough of the large, beach-like swimming area, the fun lazy river and the wonderful opportunity to practice swim moves in an area so shallow that most kids can touch the bottom with their feet.

Tucked just off Interstate 5 in North Seattle, the Northacres Spraypark (Seattle Parks and Recreation) is a shady oasis on a hot summer day. The beautiful tree canopy keeps everyone cool, and beyond the fantastic spray park, there’s a divided playground for younger and older kids, hiking trails and a hill that’s ideal for rolling down.

South Seattle families know how lucky they are: The Rainier Beach Pool (Seattle Parks and Recreation) is one of Seattle’s best pools, and it’s right next to the community center. Everyone raves about the giant, twisty waterslide, and the pool also includes spray features, a diving board, a spa pool and a steam room.  

Voters know that the Snohomish Aquatic Center is home to the region’s only FlowRider, a surf-simulation machine. This 52,000-square-foot swim center in Snohomish also features an epic waterslide that winds outside, a recreational lap pool and a lazy river. Note: Guests must be at least 48 inches tall and pass a swim test to venture down the Splashtacular waterslide.