MILWAUKEE, WI - Milwaukee County Parks is seeking community feedback to help guide the design of a new Super Splash Pad at Washington Park through a survey. This is a new type of aquatics facility with many opportunities to customize water features. Your responses will help the design team understand which features and experiences are most important to the community.
The Washington Park Pool originally opened in 1964 and served the community for nearly 62 years. Over time, the facility became increasingly difficult and costly to maintain. Most pools and their related systems have an expected lifespan of approximately 20 years. By the time the pool closed in 2019, it required significant capital investment to remain operational.
When the pool was last operated in 2019, it had the highest cost per swimmer in the Milwaukee County Parks system, at approximately $33.80 per swimmer. Restoring the pool would require substantial upfront investment as well as ongoing operational funding to address these challenges.
Between 2023 and 2025, Milwaukee County Parks evaluated aquatic facilities across the system to ensure long-term sustainability, accessibility, and equity. This work has identified a growing need to transition from aging, operationally intensive pools toward more flexible and cost-effective aquatic amenities such as destination splashpads.
Milwaukee County Parks recognizes that the former pool holds deep meaning for the community. This project is an opportunity to honor that history while working together to create a new aquatic experience that meets today’s needs and can be sustained for years to come.
"This is an exciting opportunity to imagine what the next generation of aquatics could look like at Washington Park," said Antonio Giron, Milwaukee County Parks Engagement Manager. "We want the community at the table, sharing ideas and helping us understand what would make a future aquatic amenity welcoming, fun and meaningful for people of all ages.
About Milwaukee County Parks
Milwaukee County Parks is dedicated to enriching the lives of the community by providing safe, enjoyable, and affordable recreational opportunities while preserving the natural and cultural resources of the parks. Spanning over 15,000 acres, the Milwaukee County Park System includes more than 150 parks and parkways, over 100 miles of trails, numerous community centers, golf courses, botanical gardens, beaches, and hundreds of playgrounds, athletic fields, and picnic areas. Committed to sustainability, health, and equity, Milwaukee County Parks continues to strive towards a vision where everyone, regardless of background, can enjoy the benefits of green spaces and recreational facilities.
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