Outdoor pools and rock pools perfect for lap swimming

Green Bay Parks and Recreation opened extended lap swim hours on July 1 at two primary outdoor sites, drawing daily crowds of 150 to 200 participants by the second week of the month.

The timing coincides with the city's established wellness push that encourages residents to combine exercise with time in natural settings rather than relying solely on indoor facilities along Mason Street or in the downtown core.

Two established lap options

At the outdoor pool inside Perkins Park on the west side, eight 25-yard lanes operate from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays and remain open until noon on weekends; the adjacent parking lot on 9th Street fills quickly after 7 a.m. A second choice sits along the shoreline in the Astor neighborhood where flat rock ledges in the water create a 100-yard straightaway suitable for steady laps when water levels stay between 68 and 72 degrees.

Department records show 4,872 lap-swim visits across both locations during June 2026, up from 3,910 the previous June, with a resident day pass priced at $5 and a monthly pass at $38. Staff added extra lane lines at Perkins Park on July 8 after the early-morning count topped 180 users three days in a row.

Practical steps before heading out

Swimmers can check same-day lane availability through the Green Bay Parks mobile app or by calling the Perkins Park desk at 920-448-4465. Those using the rock ledges should arrive before 8 a.m. to avoid boat traffic and should carry a waterproof phone for safety. Anyone new to lap swimming outdoors should confirm personal health details with a local physician before starting a regular schedule.