On a sweltering Saturday in Chicago, as the temperature soared to a scorching 95 degrees with a heat index of 106, families flocked to Hale Pool in Clearing to kick off the city’s much-anticipated outdoor swimming season.
James Moser, a long-time neighborhood resident, arrived at the pool with his 6-year-old granddaughter, Madelyn Salas, reflecting on their excitement. “We’ve been waiting for this day,” said Moser, 58, who has lived in the area for more than three decades. “We come in the wintertime and look through the gates like, ‘OK, we’ve got a month, we’ve got two months, we’ve got three months.’ We were just here about four days ago checking to make sure they filled the water up.”
The reopening of Hale Pool marked the official start of the city’s pool season, which launched amid a relentless heat wave. Forecasts indicated that Sunday would be even hotter, with temperatures projected to reach 96 degrees and a heat index of 105.
In response to the hazardous heat conditions, the Chicago Park District adapted its scheduling, transitioning the typical pool sessions to open swims from 1 p.m. until closing on both Saturday and Sunday. All of Chicago’s 50 outdoor pools opened their doors this weekend, except for the Grand Crossing Park Pool on Ingleside Avenue, which is expected to reopen early next week after resolving a mechanical issue, according to park officials.
This year’s pool season is set to run tentatively through August 17, with the possibility that some locations may remain open until Labor Day. Notably, for the first time since the COVID-19 closures in 2020, city pools will offer seven days of access each week.
Despite the shortened season, the enthusiasm of pool-goers remained high, with many recalling fond family traditions. Moser fondly shared memories of bringing his daughter to the same pool when she was just two years old, now celebrating the tradition with his granddaughter.
Angela Shear, 38, was another eager swimmer at Hale Pool, accompanied by her 5-year-old son, Tony Rocha. Shear, who grew up visiting the pool during her childhood summers without air conditioning, remarked on her desire for a longer pool season. “I would be coming all the time if it was open all the time,” she said.
Surprisingly, Hale Pool was not packed on this opening Saturday, as many locals noted that lines typically extend around the gate. The Southwest Side of Chicago is known for having some of the hottest areas in the city, as identified in a climate study.
Local resident Al Molina, 54, who has been bringing his two sons to Hale Pool for a decade, expressed gratitude for the facility. “We are very fortunate because not all of the park districts have a pool,” he said, reflecting on how valuable the cool water is during such extreme heat.
According to Sam Jorden, manager of beaches and pools for the Chicago Park District, popular pools across the city include those in McKinley Park, Portage Park, and Washington Park. Community members fondly refer to Washington Park as the “jewel of the south,” yet on this Saturday, even that beloved location did not see the usual influx of visitors.
Kids at Washington Park Pool enjoyed ample space to splash in the 50-meter pool, although the giant slide was notably closed for maintenance, disappointing some young swimmers. Nonetheless, families in attendance were happy to find relief from the scorching heat while engaging in long-standing traditions.
Antonio Wright, 50, reminisced about his own childhood days spent at Washington Park Pool, now sharing those experiences with his 5-year-old grandson, Jakari Hill. “It looks like the kids have a ton of fun,” Wright observed, highlighting the wholesome environment and family-friendly atmosphere. “There are no adults around here doing adult things that they shouldn’t be doing around the kids. So I would recommend any family to come. It’s definitely family-friendly.”
In South Loop, Stephanie Holmes, 42, praised the cleanliness and safety of the pool, enjoying the opportunity to join her 10-year-old daughter, Aaliyah Jones, and her 4-year-old grandson, Avante “AJ” Holmes Jr. in the water. “I feel free in the water,” Holmes said, showing that while the heat might be unbearable, a day at the pool brings solace and joy to families seeking respite from the summer sun.
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