Outdoor Pool Rules

1. Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their own children. Lifeguards are responsible for enforcing safety rules and responding to emergencies.
2. Patrons should make any special needs known to facility staff
3. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older at all times. Unaccompanied children will be asked to exit the water until their guardian is located.
4. Strollers are not allowed inside the facility; car seats are permitted.
5. Guests may re-enter the facility by obtaining a hand stamp prior to leaving the front gate. At times the facility is at capacity, anyone who exits for any reason must wait in line until allowed to re-enter by staff. Do not leave children unattended inside the facility.
6. Drugs, alcohol, glass and sharp cutting utensils are not allowed. Persons under the influence are not allowed in the facility.
7. Deck chairs are available for your use on a first-come, first-served basis
8. This is a No Smoking Facility, including vaping and e-cigarettes. Guests must get their hand stamped and exit the facility in order to smoke. If the facility is at capacity, you will need to wait in line for re-entry.
9. Flotation devices including, but not limited to, rafts, kick boards, diving rings, balls, other toys, float belts or vests will not be allowed in the pools except during scheduled times in which they are not allowed in the deep end. Any floatation device used during these times must be approved by the aquatic staff. During all public swim hours, only Coast-Guard approved Type 2 and Type 3 flotation devices will be permitted, and only in the shallow area with an adult in the water within arm’s reach. A limited number of approved vests are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
10. Family Changing rooms are available for parents with young children of the opposite sex. Children over the age of 6 should use the gender-appropriate locker room.
11. Street shoes are not allowed on the pool deck or in the wet areas of the bathhouse.
12. All apparel worn in the pool must be clean. Swimsuits are preferred. Apparel is limited to appropriate, tight-fitting, athletic wear. No cut-off shorts or clothing with metal fasteners allowed. Individuals in street clothes will be restricted to designated areas of the facilities.
13. All persons are encouraged to take a shower before entering the pool area. Bathers who leave the pool area are encouraged to shower before returning. Suntan oils should be washed off prior to entering the pool.
14. Children who are not toilet trained are required to wear tightly fitted rubber or plastic pants over diapers, or approved disposable and reusable swim diapers.
15. Food, drink, coolers, and bags with food are only allowed in specially designated turf areas at Mystic Waters. Food is restricted to the concession area or designated area by site. Staff reserves the right to confiscate all coolers, food, and drink containers not within the designated boundaries. Glass containers of any kind are not allowed in the facility.
16. Personal conduct within this facility must be such that the safety of self and other is not jeopardized. No running, boisterous ball throwing, or rough play is permitted.
17. All patrons must obey lifeguards, management and other pool staff. Use of foul or inappropriate language, or other acts of belligerence towards staff or other guests, will not be tolerated.
18. Portions of the pools may be closed at the discretion of management.
19. Diving from the pool deck is not permitted.
20. Rest breaks will be taken periodically throughout the day, Reapply sunscreen. Rehydrate. Relax!
21. The Park District is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Lockers are available for use and must be emptied at the end of each day. Patrons should bring their own lock to secure belongings.
22. There is a replacement fee for lost or stolen photo IDs. Replacements are available at the Leisure Center, Prairie Lakes Community Center, and Mystic Waters.
23. Refunds will not be given for any early closings, including those due to weather.
24. Pets are not allowed in the pool area.
25. The pool water is not suitable for drinking. Avoid swallowing pool water.
26. Goggles and face masks are allowed. Fins, snorkel tubes, and mermaid tails are prohibited.
27. Please be advised that the water slides, drop slides and diving platforms or diving boards are considered adventure activities and may expose the individual to possible physical injury. In deciding to participate, the individual accepts full responsibility for any injury sustained.
28. Metal objects, eyeglasses, or jewelry are not permitted on any of the slides. Staff is not responsible for lost or misplaced personal belongings.
29. Elderly persons, those suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, pregnant women, or persons using prescription medications should consult their physicians before using the water slides, drop slides, diving platforms or diving boards.
30. The use of cell phones and/or video cameras is prohibited in all locker rooms and changing areas. Radios, CD/DVD/tape players, cell phones and other electronic devices must be restricted to low volume for personal use. Out of respect for other patrons, please keep cell phone calls brief and quiet. In all cases, headphones are preferred with electronic devices in order to avoid disturbing other patrons.
31. Rules may be added or amended by management as deemed necessary.

Important Information About Weather-Related Pool Opening and Closings

• Weather-driven changes to the daily opening and closing times for all outdoor pools are always at the discretion of the pool manager.
• A change to the daily opening and/or closing time for any of our outdoor pools is posted on the DPParks mobile app. Download it at www.dpparks.org/mobile-app.
• To help determine changes to outdoor pool openings and closings when the weather is cool or inclement, park district and pool staff use local apps including Weather.com, Weather Bug, and Weather Underground.
• For the safety of our guests and staff, we temporarily close an outdoor pool when the ThorGuard Lightening Detection System sounds a warning, or when thunder is heard, or when lightning is spotted. Weather conditions are then reevaluated every 45–60 minutes. We open again as soon as the pool manager determines that it is safe to do so. We do not issue rain checks.
• We typically close an outdoor pool early when there are fewer than 20 swimmers present at Chippewa Pool, or fewer than 50 swimmers present at Mystic Waters for an hour. We also close when the temperature drops below 70 degrees and is projected to remain below 70 degrees for the rest of the day.
• If the temperature is near 70 degrees at opening time, an outdoor pool opens for one hour so the pool manager can determine attendance and assess the forecast.
• Outdoor pool and Weather Updates are posted on the DPParks mobile app under Conditions.