About
Well-kept indoor pool featuring locker rooms, showers and lifeguards.
While specific real-time temperatures are not consistently published, indoor pools operated by the Chicago Park District, like Welles Park Pool, are typically heated and maintained at a comfortable temperature, generally in the range of 80-84°F, suitable for various activities from lap swimming to lessons and recreational use.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? The reviews for this pool are overwhelmingly negative, citing significant issues with both staff and facilities. Lifeguards are frequently described as 'power tripping,' inconsistently enforcing rules by being overly strict with some patrons (e.g., kicking out single adults during family swim or parents not actively swimming with an 11-year-old) while failing to manage disruptive behavior from other children (e.g., cannonballing). A major concern is the pool's cleanliness, with multiple reports of visible debris like bandaids and hair, a 'disgusting' appearance, unpleasant smells, and even a shocking incident of a lifeguard chasing a rat or mouse out of the pool area. Additionally, some reviewers noted unpredictable operating hours and a mandatory requirement for parents/guardians to be in the pool during family swim slots.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Good for Children
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
June 18th, 2025Ashley Barnett
Really disappointing lifeguard staff during open swim hours. They do absolutely nothing to stop kids that are cannonballing on top of people doing regular swim but were yelling at people to move and keep lanes clear for their own private swim lesson students. This pool has also gotten disgusting by lunchtime daily, you can visibly see bandaids and globs of hair in the water. What used to be a nice option for open swim has been ruined for the summer and feels unsafe to swim as they don't regulate kids unsupervised with poor pool etiquette
June 6th, 2025Samir Bonilla
I would rate this zero stars but this waa the worst experience ever. My kid and i went to this pool and decided to wait it out to get into the pool. And this really rude lady kicked us out of the locker room because my kid was a boy. After we waited without seeing each other NOT even 2 minutes in we got kicked out because i didnt have a swim suit to swim with my kid and protect him. HE IS 11 he can basically take care of himself. Worst experience ever. If you ever want to go to a pool to let your kid just go to the pool and you are just going to watch him and relax, dont go to this one.
March 30th, 2025Sinon Bennett
Lifeguards power trip really hard. Was swimming in the deep end not bothering anyone, but they kicked me out because it was family swim time. If my wife was there, it would have apparently been acceptable. I don’t understand how that makes a difference.
January 11th, 2022Katie Heupel
Nice indoor pool. Hours unpredictable / change often, so check the Welles Park District page. Parents/guardians have to get in pool during family swim slots.
February 23rd, 2025Ezra
Wells park pool was disgusting and dead and it was not clean ,it had a weird smell it was bad ,ghetto and that’s nothing compared to what me and my friend saw later on we saw the lifeguard chasing a rat or mouse out the pool with a broom. I was really freaked out. The water was gross and Dead and it was rat Invaded and we left right away and it was really gross. Please do not come here unless you wanna see a lifeguard chasing a rat outside of here. And ghetto experiences and also to note the pool looked like it was run down and abandoned
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7:30 AM – 9:15 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM – 9:15 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM – 9:15 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM – 9:15 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM – 9:15 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
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