By city ordinance, the retail sale and use of fireworks within the City of Crete is allowed only from June 28 to July 4.

Residents are encouraged to practice fireworks safety and fire prevention safety, including properly cleaning up and disposing of cooled fireworks materials and debris.

Many pets are stressed during this week of fireworks and police officers see pets roaming at-large; residents are urged to properly secure pets and make sure all pets have current ID tags.

Holiday week reminders:

• Wildwood Pool will be closed on Friday, July 4
• Public Works: The Garbage Company will run the regular garbage collection route on July 4, but may not be able to finish collections west of Main Ave. They will finish the route on Saturday if necessary.
• Leaving trash on the street after your fireworks display is littering. Collect cooled fireworks left-overs and place them in the trash - hot embers will start fires.

Fireworks can only be discharged in Crete during the following days and times:

• June 28 - July 2, from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• July 3 - July 4, from 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Crete City Ordinance states: Fireworks cannot be launched from or onto any motor vehicle; onto any street, highway, or sidewalk; at or near any person; into or upon any building; into or at any group of persons.
• Fireworks are not allowed in City Park.

Fireworks safety tips:

• Many pets are stressed by fireworks; always keep pets secured with updated ID tags. Pets must be on a leash when off you own property according to Crete City Code.
• Do not use fireworks on or near dry vegetation or combustible materials.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or
  other mishap.
• Be cautious when lighting fireworks when conditions are windy. The wind could blow a burning spark and set another area on fire.
• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry area to prevent an accidental ignition.
• Leaving trash on the street after your fireworks display is littering. Collect cooled fireworks left-overs and place them in the trash - hot embers will start fires.
• View additional safety information (English/Spanish pdf)

In addition, the only fireworks allowed at a professional fireworks display are those being launched by the designated and permitted personnel responsible for the show. This would include Crete Chamber of Commerce's community fireworks show on July 3 (2025) at College Heights Country Club. This community fireworks show typically starts around 10 p.m. and can be viewed in the area of the golf course and driving range, East 4th Street and along Iris Ave.

For fireworks vendors (sales): An occupation tax and permit is required of any retail sale of fireworks within the city and more information can be found on the city website or by contacting the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 402.826.4313. Additional information about the sale of fireworks can be found online from the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's office: Fireworks. 

Local fireworks information can be found in Chapter 6, Article 3 (hours of sale and fireworks discharge).

Crete Coed Slow Pitch Softball League signup is open until July 18.

• Doubleheaders are played on Sunday evenings Aug. 3 - Oct. 5 at Tuxedo Park;
• Registration fee is $425 - softballs included;
• tournament to follow regular league play;
• Registration includes team name, team captain and contact information, roster

Register on RecDesk or find the registration form at the City Hall Recreation Office.

View/Download registration form: 

• English     |   Espańol  

Contact Park and Recreation with questions: 402.826.4315 or email Dan Dunaway.

City of Crete - Nebraska
Parks and Recreation 

Swimming Lessons

Forms for Levels 1-6, Infant and Toddler, and Individual lessons are available on RecDesk or at the Parks and Recreation office at City Hall. Participants must also have a liability waiver signed.

Find more information for the 2025 season at Wildwood Pool.

Level 1-6 lessons for ages 4 and up

Three sessions of swimming lessons for Levels 1-6 (ages 4 and up) are offered on weekday mornings through June and July with rolling registration deadlines for each. Each session is two weeks long.

• Session 1: June 16 – June 27 (Register by June 6)
  • Levels 2, 4, 6: 10:00-10:45am
  • Levels 1, 3, 5: 11:00-11:45am
• Session 2: July 7 – July 18 (Register by June 27)
  • Levels 1, 3, 5: 10:00-10:45am
  • Levels 2, 4, 6: 11:00-11:45am
  • Levels 1, 3, 5: 5:00-5:45am
  • Levels 2, 4, 6: 7:00-7:45am
• Session 1: July 21 – Aug. 1 (Register by July 11)
  • Levels 2, 4, 6: 10:00-10:45am
  • Levels 1, 3, 5: 11:00-11:45am
  • Levels 2, 4, 6: 5:00-5:45am
  • Levels 1, 3, 5: 7:00-7:45am

Program details:

• Monday-Friday
• Class size limited to 10 participants per level, per time slot
• $45 per person (sibling discount available)
• Must be at least 4 years old to participate in Levels 1-6
  • Groups are determined by ability and experience (Learn-to-Swim Levels 1 – 6): Level 1: Introduction to Water; Level 2: Fundamentals; Level 3: Stroke Development; Level 4: Stroke Improvement; Level 5: Stroke Refinement; Level 6: Swim Proficiency
  • Additional instructors and smaller groups may be available to accommodate individual needs.

Infant and Toddler lessons for ages 6 months - 4 years

One-week evening sessions of Infant and Toddler swimming lessons will be held in July. 

• Session 1: July 7 - 11 (Register by June 27)
• Session 2: July 14 - 18 (Register by June 27)

Program details:

• Monday-Friday, $30 per session
• Time: 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. or 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• Infants and toddlers, age 6 months to 4 years old

• Classes provide water exposure, swimming and water safety skills, and activities to practice at home.

Individual Lessons

Individual swim lessons are available for swimmers of all ages and abilities who would like a 1-on-1 approach to review swimming skills. Find time slots in the RecDesk registration section.

• The price per lesson is $15 per participant. Please see the list of available morning, evening and weekend times lots.
• f you have a preferred lifeguard/instructor, please note this in your registration. We will attempt to schedule this guard for all of your lessons, however in the event of schedule conflicts, you may be paired with another instructor or asked to reschedule.
• Please note any additional accommodations needed during the registration process or contact the pool manager with questions.

Water Aerobics

Water Aerobics will start at Wildwood Pool on June 9. There is no pre-registration necessary; participants may attend as many sessions as they would like. Interested patrons can purchase a full season pass on RecDesk or at the pool after opening day.

• Monday - Friday, from 9 - 9:45 a.m. 
• Cost is $40 for all classes during the season. 
  • Season registrations for those age 55 and over will receive a pool season pass at no additional cost. 
• Drop-in fee is $4 per class and includes daily pool admission.

City of Crete - Nebraska
Liz Cody, Parks and Recreation Director 

City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
Phone: 402.826.4315
liz.cody@crete.ne.gov

The City of Crete Department of Public Works, in partnership with its wholesale electric power supplier, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, is continuing to provide five energy efficiency programs to assist in lowering energy costs for local utility customers through energy efficiency improvements.

All five programs offer cash incentives to make energy efficient upgrades in the areas of insulation, cooling systems, home thermostats, high efficiency heat pump, and commercial lighting. Here is a rundown of the four programs:

• High Efficiency Heat Pump Program: The program provides cash incentives from $400 to $3,000 to residential homeowners who are installing a new heat pump system to their residential single-family dwelling.
• Smart Thermostat Program: Provides a cash incentive of up to $100 paid directly to residential customers to help cover the cost of installing a qualifying smart thermostat. 
• Attic Insulation Program: Provides cash incentives of $0.15 / per square foot with a maximum incentive of $300 per existing residential dwelling for attic insulation. 
• Cooling System Tune-Up Program: Provides a $30 cash incentive to residential homeowners who have their cooling system tuned up by a HVAC contractor, regardless of what type or age of cooling system (air conditioner/air or water source heat pump).
• Commercial LED Lighting Program: Provides cash incentives paid directly to commercial customers to help cover the cost of interior lighting upgrades and replacements.

These programs are available to customers of the City of Crete through its wholesale power partnership with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. For more information on these programs, contact the Utility Office at City Hall, 402.826.4312, or go online to download program guidelines and application forms.

City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
(Utility Office ground floor main entrance on south side)
Crete, NE 68333
Phone: 402.826.4312

701 East 4th Street, Crete, Nebraska
(4th Street and Grove Ave.)
Pool: 402.826.3500 (Seasonal: May-August, during pool hours)
Parks & Recreation at City Hall: 402.826.4315
creteparks@crete.ne.gov

Wildwood Pool and Park is located in the southeast portion of the city. The public swimming pool includes men’s and women’s restrooms and lockers, zero entry, two slides, swimming lanes, and two diving boards. The splash area was replaced in 2022. Pool season passes, swimming lessons, youth swim team, and pool parties are available; see below for registration dates and more information.

The park area includes two tennis courts, a playground, picnic area, green space, parking, and public restrooms. Tennis courts include pickleball lines. (Click the photo for a gallery of pool and park images.)

(Go to Parks and Recreation Department Main Page)

See more information below on when and where to register for pool passes, pool parties, swimming lessons, swim team, and water aerobics.

See schedule below.

2025 Pool Season Information

View/Download pool informational flyer: English   |  Espańol 

• Swimming Lessons are offered for Levels 1-6 (ages 4 and up) and Infant and Toddler (ages 6 months to 4 years)
  • registration opens April 28 for Levels 1-6 and June 2 for Infant and Toddler lessons
  • register on RecDesk or at City Hall
• Mayor's Day - Sunday, July 13 - free admission during open hours
• RipTide Swim Team registration closed May 2
• RipTide Swim Team Home Meet - June 14 (no public swim hours)
• Pool will be closed on Friday, July 4
• Last Day of the Season, Sunday, August 3
  • Open swim 1-3 p.m.
  • Pooch Pool Party from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Cost is $2.00 per dog
    • Dogs must be non-aggressive and leashed upon arrival
    • Toys and inflatables are allowed
    • Dog owners are welcome to swim as well

Pool Parties

Private pool parties are held on Fridays and Saturdays, 7:00-9:00 p.m., and Sundays, 5:00-7:00 p.m. during the season. Cost is $250 per party and includes a non‐refundable $50 deposit. Applications are available on RecDesk, at City Hall, or the pool during open hours. A completed application and non-refundable deposit is required for reservation.

Water Aerobics

Interested patrons can register on RecDesk or at the pool after opening day; cost is $40 for all classes through the season. Senior participants age 55 and over registered for the season will receive a pool season pass at no additional cost. Drop-ins are welcome with a fee of $4 per class and includes that day's pool admission.

• Starting June 9: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.

Swimming Lessons

• Registration is open on RecDesk for groups lessons in Levels 1-6 and Infant and Toddler lessons, as well as individual lessons. See more details.
• Swimming lessons in June and July for Levels 1 - 6 for participants at least 4 years old
• Infant and toddler lessons in July for ages 6 months - 4 years old
• Individual swim lessons are available for swimmers of all ages and abilities who would like a 1-on-1 approach to review swimming skills. The price per lesson is $15 per participant. Please see the list of available morning, evening and weekend timeslots. If you have a preferred lifeguard/instructor, please note this in your registration. We will attempt to schedule this guard for all of your lessons, however in the event of schedule conflicts, you may be paired with another instructor or asked to reschedule.

Youth Swim Team

Crete RipTide Swim Team, for ages 6-18, competes in the Kansas-Nebraska swim league, which consists of five scheduled meets, held on Saturdays. Each community hosts a swim meet so travel is necessary. Competitive events include backstroke, freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, individual medley, and relays.

Parent Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 16: Crete Carrier Community Room at Crete Public Library, 1515 Forest Ave.; open to all and highly encouraged for parents of swim team participants.

• Registration open March 31-May 2; Cost is $75 (sibling discount available)
• Registration open to all on a first-come-first-serve basis. Limited spaces available.
• Members of the team are required to purchase their own swim suit and goggles. 
• Practices are held at Wildwood Pool, starting the week of May 19:
  • Monday-Thursday; 7-8 p.m. for intermediate swimmers; 7:30-9 p.m. for advanced swimmers
  • Fridays: 9-10 a.m. all levels
• Season is from May to June with Saturday Meets: May 31, June 7, 14 (home), 21, 28
• The team also seeks parents who can make a commitment to volunteer at least 1 night per week throughout the season, and assist with at least 2 meets.

More Parks and Recreation information and online program signup can be found on RecDesk when registration opens.