Description

The floating pool at the 31st Street Marina in Chicago was designed specifically with winter in mind. When filled, the pool sits flush with the deck of the platform. However, in the winter, when the pool is empty to aluminum insert is able to free float at its natural level in the water beneath it.

With the two structures designed to float independently, the Harbor is able to fill and drain the pool without affecting the surrounding structures.

Located along Lake Shore Drive on Chicago’s lakefront, the 31st Street Harbor is one of the newest of the Chicago Harbors, sitting just south of Burnham Harbor. The site pairs the marina with green space and a convenient parking garage, giving boaters and visitors easy access to the water.

Project overview

31st Street Harbor opened on June 7, 2012 as the Chicago Park District’s tenth harbor, one of the newest marinas on the lakefront just south of downtown Chicago. The $103 million harbor was paid for with boater fees rather than tax dollars and added about 1,000 floating boat slips for vessels up to 200 feet, helping shorten the city’s waiting list for a slip.

Bellingham Marine supplied the floating platform for the harbor’s pool, one of the features that sets 31st Street apart from Chicago’s other harbors.

Harbor amenities

About 1,000 floating slips with power and water
Launch ramp for trailered boats and a fuel dock
Indoor parking garage with winter boat storage, plus nearby public parking
Playground with a climbing wall, beach, shaded picnic areas and a public fishing dock
Harbor store, offices and a community room
A rubble mound breakwater that protects the basin

Transient boaters can reserve a slip through the Chicago Harbors system or booking apps such as Dockwa. Seasonal amenities open during the Chicago boating season, weather permitting.

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Features

Floating platform with pool