Cool Spots open at 5 MPS' playgrounds with heat advisory set to take effect this weekend

MILWAUKEE -- With temperatures rising in the Milwaukee area, and a heat advisory set to take effect for all of southeast Wisconsin from noon Friday, June 29 through 7 p.m. Saturday, June 30, "Cool Spots" at five Milwaukee Public Schools' playgrounds opened Thursday morning.

Cool Spots, water parks and splash pads are offered as an alternative to opening fire hydrants, which is illegal.

According to a news release from City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works officials, when hydrants are opened improperly, the water rushes out uncontrolled, causing water pressure to drop in the area. Firefighters might not have enough water and pressure to put out a fire. The sudden pressure change can cause mains to break. Only a fire department, the Milwaukee Water Works and construction projects with a public works permit may open hydrants.

The Milwaukee Water Works has installed over 3,000 hydrant-locking McGard devices in areas with high repeat hydrant openings.

Improperly opened hydrants waste millions of gallons of treated water. Smashing hydrants to allow water to rush out makes a hydrant unusable and can cost over $2,000 to repair or replace.

The Milwaukee Water Works provides water from a nearby hydrant to a giant sprinkler at MPS supervised playgrounds for students ages 6-17. Cool Spots are open only during citywide heat advisories, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cool Spots

Available June 18 - Aug.10

MPS Recreation Wading Pools

Open June 18 through Aug. 25, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

All MPS sites will be closed Wednesday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday.

Family Water Parks

CLICK HERE for a map of Milwaukee County splash pads, wading pools, aquatic centers, deep well pools and splash
pad/waders in pool areas.

CLICK HERE for a guide to MPS summer activities