Bradford Beach on third year without lifeguards
Despite heavy recruitment, county fell short of goal
Milwaukee County has hired only about 30% of the 200 lifeguards it needs this season, prompting a decision to again not staff Bradford Beach this summer.
Despite a six-month recruitment effort and pay incentives, the department has found itself about 20 lifeguards short of even the approximately 80 on staff this time last year, said Guy Smith, executive director of Milwaukee County Parks.
“It’s mind-blowing,” he said.
The department also cited ongoing staffing challenges for the closure of additional pools and water parks this season.
But there is some good news for the summer. The city of Milwaukee announced that 2022 will mark the return of its Fourth of July celebrations after two years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The county, too, is bringing back its famous July 3 lakefront fireworks after a two-year hiatus caused first by the pandemic and, last year, a lack of workers.
And there will still be a number of staffed locations for Milwaukee County residents to get their toes wet.
Lake Michigan lifeguard posts require more experience
his marks the third year in a row that the county has had no lifeguards at Bradford Beach.
The post on Lake Michigan is particularly challenging and unpredictable, requiring more experience than many of the current lifeguards on staff can offer, Smith said. Much of the lifeguard corps was lost in 2020, when the department couldn’t open its facilities due to the pandemic.
At minimum, the department would want 10 guards on the beach but would ideally have 12 to 14.
If there is capacity, Smith said he hoped the department could offer training on the beach this summer to rebuild its cadre of lifeguards to staff it in future years.
There will also be no lifeguards at Grant Park in South Milwaukee or Doctors Park in Fox Point, though those beaches have not been staffed in a long time, he said.
The beach at McKinley Park will also remain closed as a study on rip currents is under way there.
The Parks Department has struggled with a decline in lifeguard applicants since before the pandemic, but nationwide labor shortages in recent years have only exacerbated the problem.
The department had 202 lifeguards in 2017, and that figure declined each year until 2020, when there were no lifeguards on staff due to the pandemic.
At this time last year, the department had about 80 lifeguards, Smith said.
This year, a six-month recruitment effort, an increase in hourly wages and summer bonuses were enough for the department to fill only about 60 of the 200 lifeguard positions needed for the season.
Lifeguards this season are paid between $16.14 and $22 per hour, depending on the position and certifications.
Those interested in becoming lifeguards have a final chance next week.
Applicants will have to participate in training sessions from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and pass a test at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Some pools, splash pads and wading pools to open
The facilities that are open reflect an effort to provide equitable access across the county, Smith said.
From mid-June to mid-August the county will open five splash pads, nine wading pools and four outdoor pools — Schulz Aquatic Center at Lincoln Park, Sheridan Park Pool, Wilson Park Pool and McCarty Park Pool.
Splash pads at Madison Park in Wauwatosa and Moody Park, Gordon Park, Carver Park and Dineen Park in Milwaukee will be open.
County wading pools will be open at Cooper Park, Smith Park, Humboldt Park, Wedgewood Park, Lindsay Park and Sherman Park in Milwaukee, in addition to West Milwaukee Park in West Milwaukee, Hales Corners Park in Hales Corners and La Follette Park in West Allis.
Dates, hours and fee information are available at MKEswim.com.
City of Milwaukee to bring back July 4 festivities
The city of Milwaukee is bringing back its Fourth of July celebrations this year after festivities were
canceled for the past two years due to the pandemic.
Having celebrated Independence Day with community events across the city since 1911, Milwaukee wants to bring back activities throughout the city’s parks, including parades, picnics and the much-loved fireworks display, according to a statement from the city.
“Independence Day is special in Milwaukee. We look forward to recognizing the Fourth of July and providing a safe, friendly celebration of America’s independence in parks throughout the city,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “I’m excited to continue the history of July 4th celebrations in Milwaukee with a focus on families, friends and neighbors.”
Celebrations will be held at Alcott
Park, Enderis Playfield, Gordon Park, Humboldt Park, Jackson Park, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Lake Park, Lincoln Park, Mitchell Park, Noyes Park, Washington Park and Wilson Park.
Lincoln and Washington parks will have fireworks displays on July 4.
Earlier this year, Milwaukee County Parks confirmed that they planned to bring back the July 3 fireworks celebrated on Milwaukee’s lakefront.
Smith said, though, that staffing remains a challenge.
To pull it off, the department is soliciting volunteers to help with clean-up efforts after events from July 3-5. And while members of parks administration often pitched in before, he said this year their help will be much needed.
“It’s necessary for us to do this,” he said of the on-the-ground assistance from leadership, including himself. “Maybe it was a nice-to-have before.”