If you grew up anywhere near Hastings, Nebraska, or have spent a sweltering July afternoon in the Great Plains, you probably know that water is more than just a way to cool off. It’s a social lifeline. At the heart of this is the Lincoln Big Pool and Wading Pool, a massive concrete oasis that has defied the modern trend of tearing down old municipal "monsters" in favor of tiny, sanitized splash pads.
Most people see a big tank of chlorinated water. They’re wrong.
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It’s a feat of early 20th-century engineering that still works. While other cities are struggling to maintain 20-foot lap pools, Hastings is out here managing one of the largest municipal pools in the entire United States. We are talking about a facility that spans over two acres. That’s not a typo. It’s a massive footprint that feels more like a small lake than a city utility.
The Massive Scale of the Lincoln Big Pool
Let’s get the numbers out of the way because they’re actually kind of staggering. The Lincoln Big Pool and Wading Pool isn't just "big" in a marketing sense. It holds roughly 2.2 million gallons of water. For context, your average backyard pool might hold 15,000 to 20,000 gallons. You could fit over a hundred of those inside the Lincoln Big Pool and still have room for a few more.
It was originally built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. Back then, the government wasn't just trying to give people a place to swim; they were trying to keep people from starving by providing massive infrastructure jobs. The result was a "super-pool." The design is iconic of that era—heavy on the concrete, expansive, and built to last for a century.
And it has.
The pool is essentially a giant circle. The outer edges are shallow, making it accessible, but as you move toward the center, it drops off. This design was brilliant for the 1930s because it allowed for maximum capacity without the need for complex, partitioned sections. You’ve got people lounging on the edges, kids splashing in the mid-depths, and serious swimmers or divers toward the middle where the depth reaches about nine feet.
Why the Wading Pool is Actually the MVP
While the "Big Pool" gets all the glory and the name-checks, the Lincoln Wading Pool is where the real community building happens. Honestly, if you have toddlers, the big pool is intimidating. It’s huge. It’s loud. It’s a lot.
The wading pool is separate. It’s a dedicated space for the smallest swimmers, and it’s one of the few places where the "old school" feel of the park really shines. There’s something about the shallow, controlled environment that feels safer and more intimate than the chaos of a modern water park with $40 million worth of plastic slides.
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It serves a specific demographic that often gets pushed aside in modern recreation design. In many cities, the "wading pool" has been replaced by the "splash pad." Don't get me wrong, splash pads are fine, but they aren't pools. They don't teach a kid the sensation of buoyancy. They don't let a three-year-old practice a kick. The Lincoln Wading Pool keeps that traditional experience alive.
The Engineering Headache Nobody Talks About
Maintaining a two-million-gallon pool is a nightmare. You can’t just throw a couple of chlorine tablets in and call it a day.
The sheer volume of water requires a massive filtration system that has to be monitored constantly. Think about the physics here. When you have that much water sitting in a concrete bowl, the pressure is immense. Then you factor in the Nebraska weather. You have scorching 100-degree summers followed by winters where the ground freezes solid.
That expansion and contraction cycle is a killer for concrete.
The City of Hastings has had to dump significant money into the Lincoln Big Pool and Wading Pool over the decades to keep it from literally cracking apart. In recent years, there have been major discussions about the long-term viability of the site. It’s expensive. Is it worth it?
If you ask the locals, the answer is a resounding yes. But from a municipal budget perspective, it’s a constant battle between nostalgia and fiscal reality. They’ve had to update the liners, fix the pumps, and ensure the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance is up to snuff. It’s not just a pool; it’s a massive piece of aging industrial machinery that people happen to swim in.
Culture, Not Just Chlorine
The vibe at Lincoln Park is different. It’s not a "resort" experience. It’s gritty in a good way. You’ve got the smell of sunscreen mixed with the scent of the nearby trees and the inevitable snack bar food.
One thing that makes this place stand out is the sheer amount of deck space. Because the pool is so large, the surrounding concrete area is equally expansive. People don't just swim; they camp out. You’ll see families who have claimed a spot for the entire day.
It’s one of the last truly democratic spaces.
In a world where everything is increasingly privatized or hidden behind a high "day pass" fee, the Lincoln Big Pool and Wading Pool remains relatively affordable. It’s a place where kids from different neighborhoods actually hang out. You see the complexity of a small city playing out in the water.
Survival in the Era of Water Parks
You might wonder how a big circle of water competes with the multi-million dollar "Aquatic Centers" popping up in neighboring towns. You know the ones: the ones with the lazy rivers, the "toilet bowl" slides, and the wave machines.
The truth is, Lincoln Big Pool doesn't try to compete with them. It offers something those parks can't: space.
In a modern water park, you are funneled through lines. You wait for the slide. You wait for the tube. You are constantly being managed. At the Big Pool, you just... swim. There is a sense of freedom in that much open water. You can swim 50 yards in one direction and not hit a wall or a plastic barrier.
That "open water" feeling is rare in a landlocked state like Nebraska. It’s the closest thing many people get to a beach experience without driving ten hours to a reservoir.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip to Hastings to see this thing for yourself, don’t just show up and expect a Hyatt Regency. It’s a municipal pool.
- Check the Schedule: Because of the size, they sometimes have different hours for the wading pool versus the big pool, and maintenance can occasionally shut down sections.
- Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable: There is very little shade over the water itself. You are in a giant concrete reflection dish. You will burn.
- Bring a Real Towel: The deck is huge, and you'll want something substantial to claim your territory.
- Respect the Lifeguards: Guarding a pool this size is a high-stress job. They aren't just watching a small box; they are scanning an acre of water.
The Future of the Lincoln Landmark
We have to be honest about the limitations. A WPA-era pool isn't designed to last forever. There will come a day when the cost of patching the concrete exceeds the value of the water it holds.
However, the Lincoln Big Pool and Wading Pool has survived this long because it’s a part of the city’s identity. It’s mentioned in the same breath as the birth of Kool-Aid (which also happened in Hastings). It’s a point of pride.
The city has been proactive about adding modern touches—like a slide and updated bathhouses—without destroying the original character of the "big circle." This hybrid approach seems to be working. It keeps the "wow" factor of the historic size while giving kids the "fun" factors they expect in 2026.
Actionable Steps for Visitors and Locals
If you want to support or enjoy the facility, here is how to do it right:
- Buy a Season Pass: If you’re a local, the daily gate fees add up, but the season pass is the best way to ensure the city sees a steady stream of revenue for maintenance.
- Go During Off-Peak Hours: To truly appreciate the scale without 500 screaming teenagers, try to go on a weekday morning or late afternoon. The water is calmer, and you can see the sheer geometry of the design.
- Advocate for Maintenance: When city council meetings come around and people start talking about "budget cuts" for parks, show up. Facilities like this are easy targets for cuts because they are expensive to run, but they are impossible to replace once they’re gone.
- Follow the Rules: It sounds boring, but the longevity of these pools depends on safety records. A single major accident can lead to insurance hikes that shut a municipal pool down for good.
The Lincoln Big Pool and Wading Pool is a relic, but it’s a living one. It’s a reminder that sometimes, we got things right the first time. We don't always need more bells and whistles; sometimes we just need a really, really big place to jump in.
Summary of Key Details for Planning:
- Location: Lincoln Park, Hastings, Nebraska.
- Unique Feature: One of the largest municipal pools in the US (2.2 million gallons).
- Amenities: Wading pool, diving area, slide, expansive sunbathing decks.
- Historical Context: Built during the 1930s as a WPA project.
Enjoy the water. It’s a piece of history you can swim in.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the official Hastings Parks and Recreation website for current admission prices and specific opening dates for the 2026 season. If you are traveling from out of town, combine your visit with a stop at the Hastings Museum to see the Kool-Aid exhibit for the full local experience.