Pools Closed for 2020 Season
Many wading pools and splash pads will remain open.
While some amenities in Milwaukee’s parks are opening, others will remain closed for the rest of the year.
It was announced that all Milwaukee County Parks’ deep-well pools will remain closed for the rest of the season. This includes: Cool Waters aquatic park, Schulz Aquatic Center, Pelican Cove, Washington Park, McCarty Park, Jackson Park, Sheridan Park, Holler Park, Hales Corners Park, Wilson Park, Grobschmidt Park, and the indoor pools at Noyes and Pulaski. However, Hoyt Park Pool, which is operated by the non-profit Friends of Hoyt Park, is planning to open this summer.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, because we know what our pools mean to the community,” said Jen Francis, interim parks director.
“Every decision we’re making right now is focused on the safety of our park visitors and our staff,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, in a statement.
Not to mention, the staffing challenges created by the “drastic toll” the pandemic has had on the parks budget.
Francis did say the system will try to keep as many of its wading pools and splash pads open as it can. And will try to do so in a manner that is fair and equitable across the county. She noted that these amenities are important to many county residents for beating the heat during the hottest parts of the summer.
The annual parks budget is highly dependent on the revenue the system generates. Already, the department is showing a multi-million dollar deficit for 2020. Departments across Milwaukee County are facing deficits, and the County as a whole may face an unprecedented budget gap this fall when it attempts to craft a budget for 2021.
Along with pool closures, league play and equipment rentals in the parks will remain canceled through July. And the Domes Summer Show and the July 3rd Lakefront Fireworks remain canceled as well.
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More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- MHD Release: Milwaukee Health Department Launches COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Dashboard - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Jan 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee County Announces New Policies Related to COVID-19 Pandemic - County Executive David Crowley - May 9th, 2023
- DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 26th, 2023
- Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 17th, 2023
- Fitzgerald Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Origin Act - U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald - Mar 10th, 2023
- DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Feb 10th, 2023
- MKE County: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising - Graham Kilmer - Jan 16th, 2023
- Not Enough Getting Bivalent Booster Shots, State Health Officials Warn - Gaby Vinick - Dec 26th, 2022
- Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Dec 15th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Bi-Weekly COVID-19 Update - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Dec 9th, 2022
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