As the heat wave hits the Fox Valley, locals may be looking for a place to cool down and beat the extreme heat warnings for the next week, with heat indices going past 100 degrees.
Many communities offer a public pool or splash pad for residents to enjoy all summer long. Admission is offered on a daily basis or you can purchase a season pass.
Here’s our list of pools where residents can swim and learn details on hours, opening dates and different amenities.
Appleton’s got two pools, a lake and the YMCA
Erb Pool, 1800 N. Morrison St. Open swim hours are 1 to 5 p.m. weekdays; 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and 1 to 6 p.m. weekends. The Olympic-sized pool is available for open and lap swimming, and has zero-depth entry with spray features, two water slides, diving boards, shade, concession stand, and more. Erb Pool will be closed July 10-12 for swim meets.
Mead Pool, 1430 E. John St. Open swim hours are 1 to 5 p.m. weekdays; 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 1 to 6 p.m. weekends. Some of the pool features are a large water slide, one meter and three meter diving boards, a sand volleyball court, interactive water play features, a concession stand, and more.
For rates and more information on Erb or Mead pool, visit appletonparkandrec.org.
Plamann Park Lake, 1375 E. Broadway Drive. The lake and concession stand is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Plamann Park also has an inflatable water park that includes a trampoline and a climbing wall. Swimming lessons are also offered for children ages 6-14.
For rates and more information, visit outagamie.org.
Appleton YMCA, 218 E. Lawrence St. The hours vary from day to day: Mondays to Thursdays, 5:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sundays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. With two pools, a lap pool, splash pad, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and the newly expanded U.S. Venture Wellness Wing, the Appleton YMCA offers a myriad of amenities. The YMCA of the Fox Cities membership gives you full access to all of the branch facilities, including pools.
For rates and more information, visit ymcafoxcities.org
Menasha’s pool is closed for the summer, but residents can access neighboring options
Mensha is still without a pool, as it is closed this year and aims to reopen in 2028. The city’s new schedule calls for the demolition of the existing municipal pool in 2026, the start of construction in 2027 and the opening of the new aquatic center in 2028.
However, though separate agreements, the City of Neenah and the City of Appleton have allowed the purchase of season passes for Menasha residents throughout the summer.
Neenah has a pool and a splash pad
Neenah Pool. 600 S. Park Ave. Open swim hours are 1 to 8 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 6 p.m. weekends. Neenah’s outdoor pool features lap lanes, a tot sand play area, sand volleyball court, drop slide, concessions, lounge chairs and more.
Splash Pad, 631 W. Winneconne Ave. Right in the middle of Washington Park, this splash pad is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily now through Labor Day.
For more information on the pool or splash pad, visit ci.neenah.wi.us.
Kaukauna offers pool and splash pad
Kaukauna Municipal Pool, 607 Dodge St. Open swim hours will be 1 to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The pool offers two slides, lap lanes, an aqua climbing wall, concessions and more.
Kaukauna’s more-than-4,000 square foot splash pad opened on last year, and will remain open through Labor Day. It is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Its schedule includes some hours with a fee and some which are free.
For more information, visit kaukauna.gov.
Little Chute’s pool offers small and large options
Doyle Pool, 100 Van Buren St. An outdoor swimming pool, is inside Doyle Park. Open swim hours are 1 to 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. weekdays; and 1 to 5:30 p.m. weekends. There is a small children’s pool and a large pool that has diving boards, a water slide and concession stand.
For more information, visit littlechutewi.org.
Kimberly’s swimming facility is a little more sand than tile
The Sunset Beach Swimming Facility at 1010 Fulcer Ave. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Featured amenities include sand beach with diving well with shallow water slides, diving boards, slides, playground, splash pad, and a sand volleyball court.
For more information, visit vokimberly.org.
Did we miss any? Let us know if we missed any of your favorite spots to cool down in the summer heat.
Emma Johnson is the Appleton Post-Crescent’s summer intern. Reach her at ejohnson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Summer’s heating up. Here’s where to find pools in the Fox Cities
Reporting by Emma Johnson, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emma Johnson, Appleton Post-Crescent | USA TODAY Network
