Suburban Stadiums: Harrer Pool

Each week in Suburban Stadiums, Morton Grove Patch will feature a different local athletic facility, from fitness centers to neighborhood parks. We’ll dive into its history, list what programs it has to offer and provide a calendar of major events hosted at the space.

HARRER POOL

As the larger of Morton Grove’s two water parks, plays host to a large number of visitors who come from throughout the Chicagoland area.

Earlier:

Facility and History: Morton Grove gave its residents their first public pool when Harrer Pool was installed in 1962 after a $297,000 bond was issued to the Park District. Twenty-five years later, a 137-foot water slide was installed at the pool along with other improvements. The wading pool at Harrer was replaced in 1992, just before Harrer Park’s rededication.

Harrer Pool featured a T-shaped pool, 35-meter lap lane and two one-meter diving boards. For younger kids, there’s a zero-depth kiddie pool and spray ground to go along with the aforementioned water slide and a concession stand.

“We’ve just kept these older facilities up and running and looking as new as they can be and providing a great aquatic experience for people to enjoy them,” said Jen Tiltges, recreation supervisor.

Harrer Pool is situated right next to the Linne Woods so the pool often gets a lot of visitors from people who have spent the morning and early afternoon in the forest preserve.

Programs and Events: Like , Harrer Pool is the home to some a number of different swimming lessons and exercise classes. The Park District’s Hydropilates and Aquacize programs—both adult exercise classes—are held on Saturday mornings at Harrer.

The biggest event held at Harrer each year is the Fourth of July celebration, but other summer parties take place as well. The Park District hosts Duck Races, a fun event for younger kids to select a rubber duck, write their name on it and enter it into a race. A staff member dumps all the ducks down a water slide into a pool and the first person’s duck to get to the other side wins prizes.

“We make it really fun," Tiltges said. "We put all the ducks on the table and say ‘Hey, pick out the fastest duck, do you think that one’s faster?’ And, of course, they’re all the same rubber duck.”

After opening the summer at Oriole Pool, the Park District holds its big end-of-the-season bash at Harrer, allowing middle school kids to have the pool all to themselves for a night. They bring in a DJ and allow only fifth- through ninth-graders in the pool.

“We really just give the kids the opportunity to have fun with their peers and have the pool to themselves as they prepare to go back to school,” Tiltges said. “Maybe get to hang out with some friends that they’ve met at the pool.”

Calendar:

• August 12: Teen Night; Back-to-School Bash
• August 21: Last day of regular pool hours
• September 5: Last day pool is open