About
River Park Pool (Outdoor), located at 5100 N Francisco Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA, is a seasonal public outdoor swimming pool operated by the Chicago Park District. It provides a popular recreational facility for the community during the summer months.
Outdoor pools operated by the Chicago Park District, including River Park Pool, are typically unheated. The water temperature is generally ambient and dependent on the prevailing weather conditions, rather than being maintained at a specific fixed temperature.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? The pool is largely praised as a large, refreshing, and free facility, often described as Olympic-sized with a comfortable temperature. However, the most prominent and consistent criticism across reviews centers on the deplorable state of the locker rooms and bathrooms. These facilities are repeatedly called filthy, unsanitary, run-down, and suffer from issues like mold, rust, broken fixtures, and a lack of user hygiene before swimming, severely detracting from the overall experience and preventing the pool from being considered 'first-class.' Other common complaints include inconvenient pool schedules, specifically being kicked out for breaks and forced to re-queue, which reduces swim time. While one review noted new management and a good paint job, many expressed frustration over a decade-long neglect of maintenance and upgrades. Staff behavior received mixed reviews, with some being described as rude, while others were seen as caring. Parking was noted as being a bit challenging but manageable.
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Reviews
Listing Reviews
July 13th, 2025M-Renee Perkins
This pool is a great place to swim laps or relax if the schedule changes to accommodate the community but it’s run down and this great place to swim becomes a nightmare when you enter the locker rooms! NO ONE “SEEMS” TO EVER SHOWER or at least RINSE OFF BEFORE ENTERING THE POOL. (hello CHD and RWI) The bathrooms are filthy and unsanitary! ONCE again, there’s mold all over the showers and most of them don’t work. The toilets doors are rusted and falling apart like the lockers. FOR MORE THAN 10 years there have been no efforts to upgrade and repair them.The pool schedule updates are terrible. There’s no consideration for all the adults or lap swimmers or families with little ones. The lap lanes wore down over the years and were never replaced! Once upon a time, there was lap swim in the mornings and in the evening. The state of this facility says a lot about how the CDP, River Park management, and the ward. Keep in my there’s a day camp with children using these restrooms M-F. Pool maintenance is not cheap but it’s even more expensive when the outdoor facility isn’t a concern. I feel bad for the staff members who do care about the cleanliness of their outdoor work environment. I’m confused by those allow this to continue and who are not. If everyone who worked in the field house only had access to these restrooms they would file a grievance! DO BETTER!
July 25th, 2025Michael D. Pavilon
Gr8 pool, new management - knows Quality Control or Daily improvements. The Locker Room is ok. No decent suburban folk would use it... Thus a potential Quality Pool area is a step below 1st Class. Paint job very good A nice, Olympic size pool is made rather lessened 30 ft away inside CPD property of the " locker room" ! Showers and soap were quite adequate. Jo-jo good mngr.
July 5th, 2025angelina angel
I didn't expect it to be such a big pool and free. The only thing that sux.ks truly here is getting kicked out for their breaks. Why can't it just be like regular pool and call safety break? And we sit inside. Why we have to go back and forth in line . can't swim much. And bathrooms are filthy. I luv its free and parking is little tough. I'm going to come again but what's up with these hrs?? And going back in line . just keep the pool open 11 to 5 take your dumb breaks and let us jist sit
June 28th, 2025Nazira Teshebaeva
The pool is nice and warm right now. But what bothers me a lot is how some of the staff is very rude. They do not talk in a polite manner and treat you like second class citizen.
June 22nd, 2025Mizuki Yuri
Very refreshing, but the pool can be a little cleaner and the bathrooms too. Everything else I’d ideal. ☺️
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
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