Natural pool closes out 10th summer in North Minneapolis
Webber Natural Swimming Pool is located at 4330 Webber Pkwy and wrapped up its season on Aug. 17. Photo by Jennifer Vang
By Morchis Xiong, Intern
The only non-chlorinated public pool in America is in its tenth year of operation.
The Webber Natural Swimming Pool stands as a unique destination attracting swimmers and wildlife since its opening on July 24, 2015. The serene pool located at 4330 Webber Pkwy finishes its tenth summer on Aug. 17.
The Webber Natural Swimming Pool is incredibly unique, as it’s the only public one in America. Webber Natural Swimming Pool holds 500,000 gallons of freshwater that is cleaned by a regeneration basin that is adjacent to the swimming pool. Chlorine can be irritating to people’s skin and eyes. The pool provides a chemical-free swimming space.
The pool features an upper pool, a lower pool, swimming lanes, and a platform area for jumping. The lower pool is an open swimming area that goes to 6 feet 4 inches in depth, while the upper pool goes to 3 feet 7 inches in depth.
In the pool’s 10 years of operation, it has faced various challenges with high levels of bacteria and wildlife issues. Still, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board reports that the pool has been operating without major concerns.
“The pool’s in pretty good condition,” said the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Social Media and Media Relations Manager Ben Johnson.
The pool will close when bacteria levels exceed standards beyond what is considered safe for swimming.
Minneapolis Park Board staff test the water every Monday throughout the regular summer season and post the test results online.
Visitors can also check the pool’s Facebook page. The pool was closed July 29 due to bacteria levels, and both pools reopened on Aug. 4. The lower pool was reopened on Aug. 1.
The staff also has monitors that will alert them if bacteria spike in the water. The water is always being monitored by Park and Recreation Board staff in real time.
Staff continue to add programming, including a log rolling activity that debuted in the 2024 season.
“We're really proud of offering something that's truly unique and different to Minneapolis in the North,” Johnson said.
Animals even come along for the fun.
“We've had everything from geese to ducks to turtles, woodchucks, and frogs one year,” Johnson said. “All sorts of different animals enjoy the pool just like we enjoy the pool.” said Johnson.
The pool and basin are incredible habitats for animals, but many animals can carry pollutants or contaminants that affect the water. It poses a problem because with all of the plants in the basin, the staff may not be aware of nests.
The pool “interacts with the natural world, and that's what makes it such a cool pool, but it also makes it a little less predictable,” said Johnson.
Pool guests can help keep the pool open daily during warm weather by following the pool rules: No food in the pool area, rinsing yourself before entering the pool, and wearing the correct swim clothes.
The pool used to host a community ice rink in the winter, but it has closed due to difficulties maintaining the rink.
There are no plans for additional amenities at the pool.