Summer heat often means finding a place to cool off. Check out these places where you can jump, wade, dive and glide your way to feeling refreshed.
Bender Park
Location: 4300 E. Ryan Road in Oak Creek
About: From the Milwaukee County website about the park, "With dramatic bluffs to the north and south, and the glint of the sun on Lake Michigan, Bender Park's waterfront is a beautiful site. You'll be attracted to this new recreational development whether you're a boater or you simply want to enjoy the beauty of the lakefront."
There is a six-lane boat launch, a sand beach for launching your non-motorized watercraft or for wading into Lake Michigan. There are also hiking trails and restroom facilities at the waterfront pavilion. Learn more about Bender Park in the and
Buchner Park
Location: 233 Oakland Ave. in Waukesha
Hours: Open swim from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 12:30 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Family swim from 5-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. There are adult lap swim hours from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Buchner Pool opens in June and closes for the season Aug. 27. It has limited hours of 2-6 p.m. Aug. 22-26.
Read more in the Waukesha Patch listing for the pool.
About: Children ages 1-17 are $3.50 during the day and $2.50 after 5 p.m. Adults are $4.50 during the day and $3.50 after 5 p.m. Senior citizens pay $1.50 during the day and $1 after 5 p.m. Water slide access costs $2.50 on weekends and from 12:45-4:15 p.m. weekdays; there is a reduced fee of $1.50 weekday evenings from 6:30-7:45 p.m. Read more at the City of Waukesha pool information page.
Cool Waters Family Aquatic Park
Location: 2028 S. 124th St. in West Allis
Hours: Open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.
About: Cool Waters, one of many Milwaukee County Park water attractions, is often considered the best. Located in Greenfield Park in West Allis, Cool Waters has a little bit of everything: a heated, zero-depth pool, tube and body waterslides, sand volleyball courts, children's waterslides and playgrounds and more.
The cost is $6.75 for those ages 12-59 and $5 for those 3-11 and 60 or older. Season passes are also available for $50 per person or $135 per family of four."
Franklin High School Swimming Pool
Location: 8222 S. 51st St. in Franklin
Hours: September 10 to November 19, Saturdays 12-1:30, Closed on Oct. 8. No open swim in summer 2011.
About:Rates for open swim are $2 for children, $3 for adults, and adult lap swim is $3.
Greendale High School Pool
Location: 6801 Southway in Greendale
About: The offers a variety of aquatic programs throughout the year at the pool at . Programming ranges from aqua zumba to master swim. People are also able to rent out the pool for private parties. Open swim is closed for the summer. Keep an eye out for new open swim times throughout the year.
Grobschmidt Park
Location: 2600 16th Ave. in South Milwaukee
Hours: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; open through Aug. 21
About: Grobschmidt is one of the outdoor pools in the Milwaukee County parks system.
Hales Corners Pool
Location: 5765 S. New Berlin Road in Hales Corners
Hours: The pool is open June 18- August 21. It is open every day from 12:30-4:30 p.m., and has evening hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
About: The pool is ran by a volunteer group called the Friends of Hales Corners Pool. The group formed eight years ago to keep the pool open and relevant in the midst of never-ending budget struggles at all levels of government. Hales Corners Pool is under the Milwaukee County umbrella, but the group works year round raising funds to make improvements.
Horeb Springs Aquatic Center
Location: 330 Spring St. in Waukesha
Hours: Open swim from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 12:30 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Zero-depth entry only open 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays. Family swim from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays. The pool will have modified hours during swim lessons. Water slide hours are 12:45-4:15 p.m. and 6:30-7:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, 12:45-7:45 p.m. Saturday and 1:15-6:45 p.m. Sunday.
Horeb Springs opens in June and closes for the season Aug. 31, but reopens Sept. 3-5 for Labor Day weekend. There are no hours after 6 p.m. on Labor Day, Sept. 5.
Read more in the Waukesha Patch listing for the pool.
About: There is a fee to use the pool, and a separate fee for the water slide. Children ages 1-17 are $3.50 during the day and $2.50 after 5 p.m. Adults are $4.50 during the day and $3.50 after 5 p.m. Senior citizens pay $1.50 during the day and $1 after 5 p.m. Water slide access costs $2.50 on weekends and from 12:45-4:15 p.m. weekdays; there is a reduced fee of $1.50 weekday evenings from 6:30-7:45 p.m. Read more at the City of Waukesha pool information page.
Idle Isle Park
Location: W182 S6666 Hardtke Drive in Muskego
Hours: 10am - dusk
About: This seven-acre community park contains a boat launch on Little Muskego Lake, a swimming beach, a fishing pier, picnicking, a pay phone and portable restrooms. Two sets of playground equipment provided on the site accommodate children between 2-5 years of age and 5-12 years of age. Off-street parking is available for 44 vehicles. performs here one evening weekly during the summer.
In 2006, a new shelter was built and is available for private rentals Mondays through Thursdays; not Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays due to the congestion at this popular park. Learn more about the park by exploring its
North Beach Oasis at Lake Michigan
Location: 100 Kewaunee St. in Racine
Hours: While the beach never closes, the Oasis is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Memorial Day through Sept. 12.
About: The kids can play on Kids’ Cove, one of the largest playground areas in the state. You can sip on a beverage and pick up some goodies at the concession stand, enjoy a band, or play some volleyball. There’s also a great boardwalk and bike path. And, they offer free Zumba fitness classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the summer.
North Beach also hosts the Ironman and Irongirl competition, and the World Championship Volleyball competition. Read about them in
Oak Creek High School pool
Location: 340 E. Puetz Road in Oak CreekHours: open swim 7:05-8:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
About: Open swim is held at the Oak Creek High School pool and free to Oak Creek residents.
Pewaukee Beach
Location: 120 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Pewaukee
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
About: Pewaukee Beach no longer has lifeguards for the season, so swimming is at your own risk. The small beach is family friendly in the heart of Pewaukee.
Quarry Lake Park
Location: 3800 Northwestern Avenue in Mount Pleasant
Hours: Dawn until dusk
About: Quarry Lake Park is an outdoor park and man-made beach which features a multi-terrace beach as well as an 18-acre lake filled with freshwater. The lake is deep enough for swimming as well as fishing and scuba diving. Park amenities include picnic tables and grills as well as an air-conditioned beach house and locker room. During the swim season, patrons must pay a small entrance fee; lifeguards are on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
You could also rent a kayak from Kangaroo Kayaking to take a trip on the Root River. Dog owners can bring their pets along to use the dog park at Quarry Lake.
The concession stand is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day.
Learn more about on Mount Pleasant Patch or
South Shore YMCA
Location: 3244 E. College Avenue in Cudahy
Hours: 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday; 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
About: The South Shore YMCA has not only a pool, but a large fitness center and gymnasium.
Families 2011 by Parents magazine. Here's a link: http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/best-family-beaches/?page=11