Outdoor Pool & Splash Pad Season to Begin Early June
MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee County Parks’ summer pool season will begin in June with the opening of five splash pads, nine wading pools and four outdoor pools: Schulz Aquatic Center at Lincoln Park, Sheridan Park Pool, Wilson Park Pool and McCarty Park Pool. Full details of pool hours and fees will be available at www.MKEswim.com.
Milwaukee County Parks has also partnered with Milwaukee Recreation to offer lifeguard prep, open swim and lap swim times, at six Milwaukee Recreation sites: Marshall High School, Vincent High School, MKE High School of the Arts, North Division High School, Hamilton High School and Washington High School. (Opportunities may change depending on staff fluctuation leading into summer.) Details of swim sessions at Milwaukee Rec sites are available at https://milwaukeerecreation.net/rec/Programs/Aquatics/Free-Open-Swim.htm.
After six months of efforts to recruit lifeguards, which included raising hourly wages and adding summer bonuses, the trend, unfortunately, remained the same as around the US – a decline in the number of applicants for lifeguard positions. This season only 60 lifeguards have been hired, far short of the 200 needed.
“Challenges hiring lifeguards have been seen by communities across the region and even the whole country. So, unfortunately, many cities and towns are having to limit the aquatic facilities they’re opening.” Said Guy Smith, Executive Director of Milwaukee County Parks. “While we’re only able to open a limited number of facilities this summer, we’ve worked closely with our partners, including Milwaukee Recreation and the City of Milwaukee, to ensure that equitable access to pools will still be available across the entire county.”
One final chance to become a Milwaukee County Parks lifeguard has been added too. The express session, ideal for strong swimmers, will take place Monday May 23 to Thursday May 26 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. each night, at Pulaski Indoor Pool. Applicants will need to take part in the training sessions each day, and pass a test on Saturday May 28 at 8 a.m. The hourly rate for lifeguards for the 2022 season to between $16.14-$22 depending on position and associated certifications.
Due to ongoing staffing and funding challenges, all other pools and water parks will remain closed this summer. No lifeguards will be posted at Bradford Beach again this summer, and the beach at McKinley Park will remain closed while the safety study on dangerous rip currents continues.
Water Park
Schulz Aquatic at Lincoln Park, Milwaukee. June 11-Aug 20
Deep Well Outdoor Pools
Sheridan Park, Cudahy. June 18-Aug 20
Wilson Park, Milwaukee. June 18-Aug 20
McCarty Park, West Allis. June 18-Aug 20
Splash Pads
Madison Park, Wauwatosa. June 11-Aug 13
Moody Park, Milwaukee. June 11-Aug 13
Gordon Park, Milwaukee. June 18-Aug 20
Carver Park, Milwaukee. June 18-Aug 20
Dineen Park, Milwaukee. June 18-Aug 20
Wading Pools
Cooper Park, Milwaukee. June 11-Aug 13
Smith Park, Milwaukee. June 11-Aug 13
Humboldt Park, Milwaukee. June 11-Aug 13.
Wedgewood Park, Milwaukee. June 11-Aug 13
West Milwaukee Park, West Milwaukee. June 11-Aug 13
Hales Corners Park, Hales Corners. June 11-Aug 13
La Follette Park, West Allis, June 18-Aug 20
Lindsay Park, Milwaukee. June 18-Aug 20.
Sherman Park, Milwaukee. June 18-Aug 20
For Wading Pools managed by the city of Milwaukee, visit https://milwaukeerecreation.net/rec/Locations/Cool-Spots-wading-pools.htm.
County Beaches (no lifeguards)
Doctors Park, Fox Point
Bradford Beach, Milwaukee
Grant Park, South Milwaukee
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