KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha’s two outdoor public swimming pools will close for the year this Sunday, August 16, ending a remarkably short 2026 season that lasted just two months and leaving families without the city pools during some of the final—and potentially hottest—weeks of summer.
Washington Park Pool and Anderson Park Pool opened June 16, according to both the City’s latest announcement and a May 29 report by Kenosha County Eye announcing the upcoming season. The City now says the final day will be August 16.
That means the City’s entire 2026 outdoor pool season will have run for only 62 calendar days from opening day through closing day. And because the pools were scheduled to be closed every Monday as well as Independence Day, the number of days they were actually available to swimmers was even lower. The originally announced operating schedule was Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5:45 p.m.
The early closing has frustrated some residents who question why taxpayer-funded swimming pools are shutting down in the middle of August, when children are still on summer break and warm weather can continue well into September.
The timing is particularly noticeable because Kenosha County Eye reported in May that the pools’ opening would mark the unofficial beginning of Kenosha’s summer aquatic season. Less than two months after that season actually began, the City announced it was about to end.
The City reported that nearly 11,700 people visited Washington Park Pool, 1821 Washington Road, and Anderson Park Pool, 8730 22nd Avenue, during the abbreviated season. Parks Director Katie Elder characterized the season as a success and thanked employees and residents for their support.
“Thanks to our dedicated staff and the support of our community, we had another successful pool season that welcomed thousands of residents and visitors,” Elder said.
Elder said the Parks Department will now turn its attention toward off-season maintenance and improvements to prepare the facilities for next year. However, the City’s Thursday announcement did not provide a specific explanation for why the pools are closing August 16, nor did it cite staffing shortages, declining attendance, operating costs, school schedules or weather as a reason for ending the season so early.
The pools are two of the City’s primary outdoor aquatic facilities. Washington Park Pool has a zero-depth entry pool, interactive water features, a 200-foot water slide, drop slide and diving board. Anderson Park Pool includes a large main pool, tot pool, children’s slide, two full-size water slides, diving board and splash pad.
The City does operate several splash pads that provide another option for families. Kenosha County Eye reported before the season that splash pads were available at Anderson Park, Southport Marina Park, Horizon Park and Schulte Park.
Still, splash pads aren’t swimming pools, and for residents unhappy with Sunday’s closing, the calendar makes the decision difficult to ignore.
The pools opened June 16.
They’re closing August 16.
Summer doesn’t officially end until September 22.
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2 Responses
That makes it over 12,000. visits.
If they added just a dollar per visit entry fee they surely could pay for additional lifeguards which is typically the excuse to close down.
Even two dollars. An extra 25K could go far.
Sure those lifeguards are typically college kids heading back to schools but seriously, we can’t find some stay at home moms to take these jobs ?
Any 30 or 40 something mom with a home pool is surly fit enough to “do the job”.
I know some retired women and men who are more than fit enough to pass any physical and are experienced in swimming and most likely in CPR and any related requirements needed to qualify for this job.
I think the County Human Resources Department needs to expand the advertising for lifeguards to older fit seniors that aren’t running off to college every August.
Are there lots of tweens/ teens without parental supervision? Or is it SAHP and little children enjoying the park? A lot of these water parks/pool recreational centers are installing under 18/16- must have a parent because young people won’t follow directions or behave in an acceptable manner. Insurance costs are very high at places like this.