BUCKTOWN — The official summer season begins Friday, which happens to be the same day the Chicago Park District opens the gates to all of its outdoor swimming pools.
That includes the outdoor and kiddie pools at Bucktown's Holstein Park, 2200 W. Oakley Ave. and Noble Square's Pulaski Park at 1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Though it's free to enjoy the pools, which close Sept. 2 (Labor Day), free swimming instruction lessons and pre-paid lap swims require registration in advance online, or in the field house. The cost of lap swim for all outdoor or indoor pools is $25 for one month or $40 for three months.
Kiddie Pool hours vary by location; consult the field house.
Holstein's 2013 Pool Schedule:
7 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Saturday - Sunday
9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; 4 p.m.- 5:45 p.m. Monday - Friday Family Swim
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Saturday - Sunday Family Swim
7 a.m to 8:45 a.m.; Noon to 12:45 p.m.; 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Monday - Friday Lap Swim
9 a.m. to 10:15; 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Saturday - Sunday Lap Swim
Pulaski Park's 2013 Pool Schedule:
11 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Monday - Sunday
6 pm. to 7:15 p.m. Monday - Sunday Family Swim
5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Lap Swim
11 a.m. to Noon Saturday - Sunday Lap Swim
Both Holstein and Pulaski Park offer free "Learn to Swim" classes for children ages 6 - 13 at noon on Saturdays and Sundays from July 6-Aug. 11, however, all four classes currently have waiting lists, according to the Park District's website.
Holstein Park hosts a "Park District Swim Club" from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Monday - Friday, June 24 - Aug. 30.
The club (which cost $75 for residents or $150 for non residents) is exclusively for competitive swimmers age 6 to 18 that are proficient in all four strokes (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly). There are 24 spaces remaining for the swim club, as of June 19.
For general information on Chicago Park District's pools, call 312-742-5121.
