(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – The weather cooperated Friday as the Chicago Park District opened nearly all of its public swimming pools.
It was sunny and humid at Portage Park Pool. Despite one pool being closed for maintenance, children were having fun at a splash pad.
A Park District spokeswoman says the system has 650 lifeguards working at 72 out of 77 pools. The district says mechanical issues have temporarily delayed openings at Blackhawk, Dvorak and Riis Park.
Two others are closed. While Harris is undergoing extensive renovations and is expected to open later this summer, Piotrowski will be closed while the park is serving as a respite site for asylum seekers.
Lifeguard staffing shortages caused problems last year. This year, park officials say, they received nearly 2,000 applications while offering new incentives to candidates.
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