Park District Pools To Close Starting Sunday, But 19 Will Stay Open Through Labor Day

The Chicago Park District will begin closing pools citywide starting Sunday, with 15 pools closing immediately and another 42 scheduled for closure on August 17, marking the shortest swimming season since 2022. High school and college lifeguards make up nearly 70% of the staff, prompting the closures as they return to school. In response to ongoing heat waves, 19 neighborhood pools will remain open through Labor Day to accommodate swimmers in higher heat risk areas. This summer marked a return to full operations, with all 50 outdoor pools open for the first time since pandemic shutdowns. The Park District faced challenges in staffing due to low wages and a history of mismanagement, leading to a lifeguard shortage.

To address this, officials increased lifeguard wages to $19. 75 an hour and offered incentives to attract more personnel. The Park District is also planning for the 2026 summer season by interviewing seasonal lifeguards for year-round positions. In a related incident, a lifeguard was charged with murder for a shooting at Douglass Park, raising concerns about safety.