Park Cooling Centers: Get relief from the heat at a Park District cooling center, or at a beach, pool, water playground or water feature. View sites & hours. For information on other City of Chicago cooling centers visit 311.chicago.gov or call 311.
Outdoor pools will operate seven days a week, eight hours a day; Humboldt Park Beach and more than 200 water play features will also open by June 19
Chicago, IL – The Chicago Park District will welcome summer with the opening of outdoor pools on June 19, expanding access to swimming, recreation, and heat relief for residents across Chicago. Building on the successful restoration of seven-day outdoor pool operations in 2025, the Park District is extending the outdoor pool season by an additional week this summer, providing residents with even more opportunities to enjoy neighborhood aquatic facilities.
Outdoor pools will operate seven days a week and eight hours a day throughout the summer season. Summer pool schedules are available at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/swimming-pools.
“Chicago Park District neighborhood pools are essential community resources that provide recreation, wellness opportunities, and relief during periods of extreme summer heat,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent & CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “This summer, residents will enjoy approximately 55 additional hours of outdoor pool access at neighborhood pools opening June 19, compared to last year. Because of our successful early recruitment efforts and the dedication of more than 700 trained lifeguards, we are able to expand access while ensuring our beaches, indoor pools, and outdoor pools are fully staffed and ready for a safe and enjoyable summer.”
The Park District successfully met its goal of training and onboarding more than 700 lifeguards needed to safely operate Chicago’s beaches, indoor pools, and outdoor pools. The seasonal lifeguard application opened in Fall 2025—earlier than in any recent year—giving interested candidates more than seven months to apply, test, train, and complete onboarding requirements before the start of the summer season.
Holiday Schedule
On June 19, July 3, and July 4, park pools will operate on adjusted holiday schedules in observance of Juneteenth and Independence Day.
Facility Improvements and Water Feature Investments
As part of the Park District's ongoing investment in neighborhood aquatic facilities, repairs and maintenance improvements are currently underway at Hamlin, Holstein, and Tuley Park pools. These pools are anticipated to reopen to the public in July. The Chicago Park District will provide operational updates and reopening information at impacted pool locations and on its website as work progresses.
In addition, the McKinley, Austin-Lake, and Avalon Park water playgrounds are currently being redesigned and rebuilt as part of ongoing capital improvement projects. As a result, these water playgrounds will remain closed for the 2026 season.
Pool Operations
Residents are encouraged to check schedules at their local pool for specific hours of operation and program offerings, including family swim, open swim, lap swim, senior swim, swim team practices, and summer day camp visits, as schedules vary by location.
There are a total of 77 indoor and outdoor pools that will be guarded and maintained throughout the summer season. Pools may experience intermittent closures due to temporary maintenance repairs or other unforeseen circumstances. Patrons are encouraged to check individual pool webpages regularly for updates regarding current swim status and operating schedules.
The Chicago Park District encourages all visitors to help keep pools clean, safe, and accessible by properly disposing of trash in designated receptacles and ensuring young children use waterproof swim pants while in the water.
Humboldt Park Beach Opens June 19
Humboldt Park Beach, Chicago’s only inland beach, will open June 19 and operate daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day.
Chicago's Beaches Remain Open Through Labor Day
All Chicago Park District beaches opened on Friday, May 22 and are staffed and open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Beachgoers can access swim status information by checking the flags posted at each beach and by visiting www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/beaches. Admission to Chicago's beaches is free. For a list of beach locations and regular swim updates, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/beaches.
Water Spray Features and Water Playgrounds
Chicagoans can also cool off at more than 200 Water Spray Features and Water Playgrounds throughout the city.