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. 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.
3. Per State mandated health regulations, admission to the pool is refused to all persons having any contagious disease or infection, including, but not limited to diarrhea.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Spitting, spouting of water, blowing the nose, peeing, pooping or otherwise introducing contaminants or bodily fluids into the pool is not permitted. These are all serious health hazards.
7. The pool water is not suitable for drinking. Avoid swallowing pool water.
8. 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.
9. People in street shoes are not allowed on the pool deck or in the wet areas of the bathhouse.
10. Suntan oils should be washed off prior to entering the pool.
11. All patrons must obey lifeguards, management and other pool staff.
12. Use of foul or inappropriate language, or other acts of belligerence towards staff or other guests, will not be tolerated.
13. Running, boisterous or rough play will not be tolerated.
14. Use of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vape devices is prohibited at all Des Plaines Park District pools. Patrons under the influence are not allowed in the facility.
15. Diving from the pool deck is not permitted.
16. Portions of the pools may be closed at the discretion of management.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Flotation devices including, but not limited to, rafts, kick boards, diving rings, balls, other toys, float belts or vests (including those sewn into the swim suit) are not allowed in the pools during public hours. Only Coast Guard approved Type 2, Type 3 and Type 5 flotation devices are allowed, and vests are available at each park district aquatic facility for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
20. Individuals with special needs that require the use of wheelchair on deck or approved flotation devices in the water will be accommodated, please make any special needs known to the manager on duty.
21. Metal objects, eyeglasses, or jewelry are not permitted on any of the slides. Staff is not responsible for lost or misplaced personal belongings.
22. Goggles and face masks are allowed. Fins, snorkel tubes, and mermaid tails are prohibited.
23. The use of cell phones, still 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.
24. Personal lawn furniture is allowed in designated areas.
25. Strollers are not allowed inside the facility; car seats are permitted.
26. Refunds will not be given for any early closings, including those due to weather.
27. Guests may re-enter the facility by obtaining a hand stamp prior to leaving the front gate. Re-entry may be delayed when the facility is at maximum capacity. Do not leave children unattended inside the facility.
28. There is an $8 replacement fee for lost or stolen photo IDs. Replacements are available at the Leisure Center, Prairie Lakes Community Center, and Mystic Waters.
29. Pets are not allowed in the pool area.
30. Food and/or drink and/or coolers are only allowed in specially designated turf areas of Mystic Waters. Food is restricted to the concession area at Chippewa Pool. Staff reserves the right to confiscate all coolers, food, and drink containers not within the designated boundaries.
31. Glass containers of any kind are not allowed in the facility.
32. The Des Plaines Park District is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
33. Additional Outdoor Pool 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.