052026 ~ Forestbrooke Neighborhood - Britain Woodman & Gloria Jones

The Forestbrook Pool in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is celebrating its 66th season after a major $1.2 million state-funded renovation that transformed it into a modern, accessible, 25-yard competition pool. Once a volunteer-run gem since its 1960 opening, the pool has become a vital community anchor—now operated by a nonprofit with 80–100 new families joining annually. Host Lucy Ann Lance reconnects with Britton Woodman and Gloria Jones, key figures in the rebuild, as they reveal how the pool’s expansion—featuring a deeper 12-foot depth, new diving board, wheelchair lift, and expanded deck—was made possible through grassroots fundraising and state support. Despite rising costs that left a $75,000 gap, the community remains committed, with a bike parade and free swim days planned for Memorial Day weekend regardless of permit delays. The pool’s legacy is not just physical—it’s generational, nurturing swimmers, lifeguards, and coaches who’ve gone on to college and beyond, proving that neighborhood spaces built on shared purpose can outlast decades of change. The episode underscores a rare but powerful model: a nonprofit, community-owned pool that thrives not on profit, but on purpose. With 20% of members from outside Forestbrook, the pool is a beacon of inclusive, low-cost recreation in an era of digital isolation. The host’s emotional reflection on growing up there—crying while recounting memories—captures the deep human value of such spaces.