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Starting Friday, It's Outdoor Pool Season In Chicago

By Mae Rice in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 15, 2017 6:30PM

If you want to go for a swim in the sun, you no longer have to swim in Lake Michigan, home to toxic waste, Divvy bikes and deer. Chicago's outdoor pools open for the season on Friday—all 49 of them—and will stay open through Labor Day.

Like the lake, public pools have their problems. Mostly pee, and the feeling that it's all around you. But they also have their strange and wonderful benefits: did you know that five of Chicago's outdoor public pools have water slides? That is correct. You can go for a slide in the pools at Avalon Park, Humboldt Park, Norwood Park, Palmer Park and Washington Park.

Our city may not be able to afford schools, but we sure go sporadically ham on other amenities.

See the city's full public pool directory, complete with hours and special features, here. And see our extremely related list of the best swimming pools in Chicago here.