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3mo ago

Chicago to Open All 50 Outdoor Pools Daily Starting June 20

A 55% surge in lifeguard applications has allowed the Park District to schedule daily pool hours with the aim of extending the season beyond its planned August 17 closure.

The pool at River Park was closed on June 16, 2022, in Chicago. The city has struggled with lifeguard shortages for years post-pandemic, prompting the closure of dozens of pools and several beaches. Others operated on limited hours or shortened seasons — last year, Chicago’s outdoor pools were only open six days a week.(John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • All 50 of the Chicago Park District’s outdoor pools will operate daily from June 20 through a planned August 17 closure, marking the first seven-day schedule since 2020.
  • The district received over 3,000 lifeguard applications this year—a 55% jump from 2024—and has staffed 660 lifeguards to support the expanded schedule.
  • Officials aim to extend the pool season through Labor Day if sufficient lifeguards remain on the job after Chicago Public Schools resume in mid-August.
  • Pools will allocate weekday sessions for day camps and fee-based lap swimming, offering structured access while managing overall capacity.
  • The expanded hours coincide with a forecast of above-average temperatures and high humidity, reinforcing pools’ role as critical cooling resources in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods.