Chicago Park District makes summer lifeguard applications available for the 2027 swim season. Last year, the Park District hired more than 700 summer lifeguards, which allowed the Park District to open all beaches and outdoor pools seven days a week as well as all indoor pools six days a week for an extra week of operations. The expanded pool schedule is an increase from 2023 when pools were only open five days a week, and in 2024 when they were open 6 days a week. The Chicago Park District attributes their successful hiring efforts to increased marketing and outreach, and our innovative Lifeguard Explorers Training Program. In 2025, the Chicago Park District teamed up with After School Matters to expand the stipend-based training program to three additional park sites and increased access to this program citywide where attendees were welcomed to learn the life-saving skills necessary to complete the Lifeguards Skills Test and become a summer lifeguard. Learn more about the Chicago Park District Lifeguard Position at chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards.

Photo Credit: Chicago Park District