As we all know, Wisconsin summer days can be scorching hot. It's a good time to remind you that the Milwaukee County Park System has a great selection of water-based recreational opportunities, including public pools. And whether you test the waters first or jump right in, check out our public pool guide and find the perfect place to cool off this summer.

There is a height requirement of 48" to go on the water slides. The lifeguard might allow it if you are very close to 48" AND there is an adult or lifeguard waiting at the bottom of the slide to catch you.

Lincoln Park
Closed for the 2008 season, will re-open in 2009
1300 W. Glendale Ave., Milwaukee (off Green Bay Avenue, just south of Hampton Avenue), (414) 964-7575

McCarty Park
2567 S. 79th St., Milwaukee (off 79th Street and Arthur Avenue, just off Beloit Road), (414) 543-9240

Jackson Park
3500 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee (414) 672-1470

Sheridan
4800 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy (just south of Layton Avenue and Lake Drive), (414) 747-9491

Grobschmidt, (formerly Oak Creek)
2600 16th Ave., (414) 762- 9523

Hales Corners
5765 S. New Berlin Road, Hales Corners (just off Hwy. 24, Janesville Road, at 116th Street), (414) 329-3887

Holler
5151 S. 6th St., Milwaukee (by Edgerton Avenue), (414) 481-7160

Washington
1859 N. 40th St., Milwaukee (by Vliet Street), (414) 344-5400

Wilson
4001 S. 20th St., Milwaukee (near Howard Avenue), (414) 281-4498., Wilson will be closed to the public noon-1:30 p.m. through August 8th.

An annual pass is still a good idea if you plan to use the pools frequently. For open swimming, the season pass is $15 for ages 12 and up and $10 for ages 11 and under. The comprehensive annual pass, which includes open swimming, lap swimming, water exercise at any indoor or outdoor pool except the family aquatic centers, is available for $265 for ages 3-59, $185 for people 60 or older, and $350 for any non-resident of Milwaukee County.

Cool Waters
The best water park in Milwaukee County is Cool Waters in Greenfield Park. Located at 2028 S. 124th St. south of Greenfield Avenue, Cool Waters offers children's, giant tube, and giant body water slides, interactive water toys, sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, chairs for relaxing and laying out and more. Admission to Cool Waters (subject to 5.6 percent sales tax) for Milwaukee County residents is $6.75 for ages 12-59, $5.00 for kids age 3-11 or adults 60 and over. Night swim Monday- Thursday after 6 p.m. is $4 for all ages. Nonresidents pay $9.85, which includes Waukesha County residents who live practically across the street. That's okay though, because they don't pay Milwaukee County taxes. Float Tube rentals cost $4 plus $1 deposit. The park is open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

Cool Waters hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Season passes are also available for either park. Individual season passes for Milwaukee County residents are $50 and family season passes are $135 for up to four family members. Check the Web site at the end of this guide for details or call (414) 321-7530.

Pelican Cove
Pelican Cove is Milwaukee's second family acquatic park. Located in Kosciuscko Park at 2201 S. 7th Street, Pelican Cove's giant and kid sized waterslides are perfect for a long day in the sun. The pool also offers a variety of interactive water toys for children and adults of all ages. Admission to the park (subject to 5.6 percent sales tax) is $1 for ages 3-11, $1.50 for ages 12-59 and $1 for adults over 60. There is also night swim from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for only $0.75. You can call the Pelican Cove hotline at (414) 384-9498 for details.

Pelican Cove's hours are Mon.- Thurs. noon-4:30 p.m., 5:30 -7:30 p.m. and Fri.-Sun./ Holidays noon- 6 p.m.

These wading pools are FREE:
Alcott, 3751 S. 97th St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Algonquin, 7850 N. 51st St., Milwaukee. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cannon, 303 N. 95th St., Milwaukee. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Columbus, 7301 W. Courtland Ave., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cooper, 8701 W. Chambers St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Greene, 4235 S. Lipton Ave., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hales Corners, 5765 S. New Berlin Rd., Hales Corners. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Holler, 5151 S. 6th St., Milwaukee. 1-5 p.m.
Humboldt, 3000 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jacobus, 6501 W. Hillside Ln., Wauwatosa. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Kops, 3321 N. 86th St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
LaFollette, 9418 W. Washington St., West Allis. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lindsay, 4360 N. 87th St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lyons, 3301 S. 55th St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
McCarty, 2567 S. 79th St., Milwaukee. 1-5 p.m.
Mitchell, 22nd & Pierce Streets, Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Pulaski, 5400 S. Swift Ave., Cudahy. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pulaski, 2701 S. 16th St., Milwaukee. Noon-5 p.m.
Rainbow, 700 S. 119 St., West Allis. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Rose, 3045 N. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saveland, 3700 S. 2nd St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sherman, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee. Noon-5 p.m.
Smith, 5462 N. 33rd St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tiefenthaler, 2501 W. Galena St., Milwaukee. Noon-5 p.m.
Tippecanoe, 1411 E. Warnimont Ave., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Vogel, 8601 W. Lancaster Ave., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wahl, 4750 N. 48th St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Walker Square, 1031 S. 9th St., Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Washington, 1859 N. 40th St., Milwaukee. 1-5 p.m.
Wedgewood, 7201 W. Wedgewood Dr., Milwaukee. 11 a.m-5 p.m.
West Milwaukee, 5000 W. Burnham St., West Milwaukee. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sheridan
4800 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy
The Sheridan charges the standard outdoor pool admission of $2 for adults and 75¢ for kids 17 and under.

In addition to Cool Waters, there are four smaller "water playgrounds" for your little ones' amusement. The Carver Park Water Playground at 911 W. Brown St., offers a variety of interactive water toys and is open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. You can find out what's happening at the Carver Park Water Playground by calling their 24-hour hotline at (414) 263-9170.

The Clarke Square Splash Pad, open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., offers a giant mushroom waterfall, groundwater jets, spray posts and water-spray spirals. Clarke Square is located at 2330 W. Vieau Place, just south of National Avenue. Admission is free, and the phone number is (414) 643-0120.

The Dineen Splash Pad, 6901 W. Vienna Ave., is open noon- 4 p.m. beginning June 14th. Admission is free.

Also, the Gordon Park Splash Pad, 1321 E. Locust St., is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call (414) 263-9170 for details of this sea-themed splash pad.