Grand Rapids Pool Opening Dates Are Out—Who Gets In Free + What’s Changing

With summer right around the corner, the City of Grand Rapids is already gearing up for pool season. There are a few important updates families need to know for 2026!

👇BELOW: See When Grand Rapids City Pools and Splash Pads Open in 2026👇

Free Pool Passes for Kids

First, the good news: free pool passes for Grand Rapids kids are back.

City residents ages 17 and under can score a free season pass, but you must register before the deadline at 11:59 p.m. on May 25. Parents or guardians can sign kids up now through the city’s Parks and Recreation website.

READ MORE: Sign Your Child Up For Free Summer Camp in Grand Rapids 

No Daily Rates in 2026

But before you plan your first pool day, there’s a big change this year.

There are no daily rates anymore. Everyone entering a Grand Rapids city pool will need a season pass.

After the free registration period for kids ends, passes will cost:

• $5 for resident children and $10 for resident adults
• $10 for nonresident children and $20 for nonresident adults

Another new option for 2026: instead of carrying a physical pool pass card, visitors can now link their account to an ID like a driver’s license or school ID for entry.

If you would rather use a physical pool pass card, you can still get one for free when you register. Each person gets one card, but if you lose it, replacements will cost $5. Kids who come to the pool on their own will need to check their card in at the front desk when they arrive and pick it up again before they leave.

You can pick up your pool pass card during your first visit of the season, or grab it ahead of time at one of the in-person pick-up nights:

• Briggs Park Pool: May 12 from 5 to 8 p.m.
• MLK Park Pool: May 19 from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Richmond Park Pool: May 5 from 5 to 8 p.m.

UP NEXT: Grand Rapids Nature Center Offering Free Admission This April 

When Do Grand Rapids Pools Open?

Grand Rapids city pools and splash pads are set to open June 6, 2026.

The city operates three outdoor pools:

• Briggs Pool at Briggs Park - 350 Knapp St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
• MLK Pool at Martin Luther King Jr. Park - 900 Fuller Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
• Richmond Pool at Richmond Park - 1101 Richmond St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 4950

All pools will follow the same schedule:

• Tuesday through Thursday noon to 7 p.m.
• Friday noon to 8 p.m.
• Saturday noon to 7 p.m.
• Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
• Monday closed for cleaning and maintenance

A closing date for the 2026 season has yet to be announced, but City pools usually stay open until mid-August.

Grand Rapids Splash Pads 2026

Splash pads will also open June 6 and remain free to use, making them a popular option for families looking to cool off without a pass.

There are 15 splash pads throughout the city of Grand Rapids:

• Aberdeen Park - 2230 Eastern Ave NE
• Alger Park - 921 Alger Street SE
• Campau Park - 50 Antoine Street SW
• Cherry Park - 725 Cherry Street SE
• Fuller Park - 300 Fuller Avenue NE
• Gerald R Ford Middle School - 851 Madison Avenue SE
• Heartside Park - 301 Ionia Street SW
• Highland Park - 523 Grand Avenue NE
• Joe Taylor Park - 1030 Bemis Street SE
• Lincoln Park - 231 Marion Avenue NW
• Mary Waters Park - 1042 Lafayette Ave NE
• Mulick Park - 1632 Sylvan Avenue SE
• Roosevelt Park - 739 Van Raalte Drive SW
• Wilcox Park - 100 Youell Avenue SE

👇BELOW: Grand Rapids' Favorite Ice Cream Stands and When They Open in 2026👇

Splash pads are open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. City splash pads normally stay open until mid-September.

If you are planning pool days in Grand Rapids this summer, make sure you register early, grab your pass, and mark your calendar, because the season will be here before you know it!