Darien YMCA

★Joan Murphy

Extremely disappointed in the Darien Y. The YMCA is supposed to be a place where individuals of all abilities are welcomed and supported. That was not our experience at the Darien location. Staff gave us a hard time for bringing a very young individual with special needs into the women’s locker room while the family locker room was closed for construction. When we asked what accommodations were available, we were offered a temporary changing area with pop-up tents (without a shower which was necessary in this circumstance) or an ADA bathroom across the building that requires going outside to access. These are not realistic or appropriate solutions. Anyone with experience supporting individuals with special needs understands that accessibility is not just about offering any alternative, it’s about offering options that are safe, practical, and dignified. Expecting a young child with special needs to go outside after swimming or use inadequate facilities is unacceptable. This situation showed a clear lack of understanding and consideration. When the family locker room is unavailable, staff should be prepared with reasonable, accessible solutions. Do better Darien YMCA. You should be standing with your members with differing abilities.

★★★★★Saam Greenman

The place is always clean and the people are nice. A good place to stay in the best of health with lots of helpful programs.

★★★Paulina Perlwitz

One thing to keep in mind is that kids are allowed in the women’s locker room- I don’t think there is a family locker room. -Yesterday at around six a child was literally screaming while she showered- she was playing a screaming game with her friend. I politely asked from my shower stall two times for the mother to control her daughter- she did not at all and no one is monitoring the locker rooms. The kid was like eight - I had pictured that she would be a five or four year old as I listened to the screaming game while I was showering. -The other day (Sunday night?) a teenager (15 years old) was there at night and started burning her hair in the sauna- on purpose. When I started coughing (I have asthma) and expressed distress about the carcinogens she got hostile with me so I left the sauna. There didn’t seem a point in alerting the front desk that there is a girl burning her hair for some unknown, experimental reason in the sauna. Also I did burn my hand in the steam room and will have a nice scar there. Be careful! They do stay open late though and supply towels.

★★★★★Lindsey Concra

We love the ymca for many activities. First off as an overall gym membership- the two gym areas helps it never feel crowded. Cody and Chris in the fitness center are especially friendly and welcoming! Open gym is fab for toddlers and we will start tumble bees soon. We love Rhonda and her partner in open gym she engages with the kids. Barbie is amazing in the daycare center. She has watched my girls from 1-3 years old. The room is clean and has great toys. Lastly family swim is a great time to swim with our kids because we aren’t in lessons yet. Highly recommend a ymca family membership for all of the above!

★★★★★James Pruitt

This YMCA is very nice. The child swim lessons are alot of fun, great instructors. The place has a new updated feel. The locker room did not make it in to the update. Very friendly staff alway greeted with a smile. The entrance can sneak up on you when driving, the sign is very small. Once there the parking is very easy.