Swimming Lessons
Parents or chaperones who have a child participating in swim lessons will be allowed to wait in a restricted area on the pool deck during swim lessons, without charge. Street clothes will be allowed in this area while waiting for your child.
General Rules
- Persons 8 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a responsible person 16 years of age or older.
- A ten-minute rest break is called ten minutes to every hour during public swimming times. During this time all children under 18 years of age must exit the water and are encouraged to drink water, use the restroom, find all party members, and apply sunscreen as needed.
- When the pool is closed and/or when Park Ridge Park District lifeguards are not present and on duty, swimming is strictly prohibited.
- Although the Park District provides a “lost & found” container in the pool office, we are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Swimming accessories such as beach balls, diving rings, and other such items will be allowed in designated areas at the discretion of the manager. Examples of toys that are not allowed include noodles, rafts, tennis balls, Frisbees, water canons/guns, or any other hard toys.
- Swimsuits with liners are required. Jean shorts, cutoffs, or athletic shorts are not acceptable types of swimwear.
- In the event of a fecal contamination, the pool shall be evacuated for 30 minutes or longer, during which the Manager on duty shall make certain the proper procedures for sanitizing the pool according to the Illinois Department of Public Health are followed.
- Opening and closing of the pool is subject to prevailing weather conditions, including cold weather (temperatures at 68 degrees or below), electrical or thunder storms, or heavy rain, or if there are a minimum number of guests within an certain time frame (see Weather Policy listed under each pool facility).
- Smoking, alcohol, and loitering are not allowed in or around the Pool.
- Additional rules or announcements may be posted at various times at each facility to indicate scheduled changes, temporary safety hazards, or closings.
Illinois Department of Public Health Swimming Pool Regulations
- Admission to the pool shall be refused to all persons having any contagious disease; any infectious conditions such as colds, fever, ringworm, foot infections, skin lesions, carbuncles, boils, diarrhea, vomiting, inflamed eyes, ear discharges; or any other condition that has the appearance of being infectious. Persons with excessive sunburn, abrasions that have not healed, corn plasters, bunion pads, adhesive tape, rubber bandages or other bandages of any kind also shall be refused admittance. A person under the influence of alcohol or exhibiting erratic behavior shall not be permitted in the swimming facility.
- The pool water is not suitable for drinking. Patrons should avoid swallowing pool water.
- Littering is prohibited. In addition, no food, drink, gum, or tobacco is allowed in other than specially designated and controlled sections of the swimming facility. Glass containers are prohibited.
- All persons are encouraged to take a shower before swimming.
- Personal conduct within the pool facility must be such that the safety of self and others is not jeopardized. No running or boisterous/rough play, except supervised water sports, is permitted.
- Only clean footwear, baby strollers, or wheelchairs are allowed in the swimming facility.
- Spitting, spouting of water, blowing the nose, or otherwise introducing contaminants into the swimming facility is not permitted.
- Glass, soap, or other material that might create hazardous conditions or interfere with efficient operation of the swimming facility shall not be permitted in the swimming facility or on the deck.
- All apparel worn in the pool shall be clean.
- All children who are not toilet-trained shall wear tight fitting rubber or plastic pants, or tight fitting disposable swim diapers.
- Diving in water less than 5 feet deep is not permitted except when allowed for competitive swimming and training. Caution shall be exercised in the use of diving facilities. Additional rules for diving area are located at each facility.
- Swimming is prohibited at outdoor swimming pools when thunder is heard or lightning is seen, including a 30-minute period after the last thunder or lightning is detected, or until the Thor Guard all-clear signal has gone off.
- Lifeguards are responsible for enforcing safety rules and responding to emergencies. Parents or guardians should supervise their children.
- No one should swim alone.
- Individuals may wear a coast guard approved lifejacket which may be checked out from the front desk. Those under the age of 8 must be within arm’s reach of a parent or guardian. Any other personal flotation devices are not allowed in any pool at any time.
- The pool management has the authority to implement and enforce rules that are more stringent or that supplement those listed here.
Water Slide Rules
- Maximum weight of rider is 300 lb.
- You must be a minimum of 48” tall to ride the water slides.
- Only one rider on the water slide at one time. Single rider only!
- Never form chains.
- Slide must be ridden feet first lying on your back or in a sitting position.
- Swim wear with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets or metal ornamentation is not permitted.
- Riders must wait for attendant’s start signal before entering the water slide.
- Keep legs, arms and hands inside the flume at all times.
- Do not run, dive, stand, kneel, rotate or stop in the flume.
- At the end of the slide, obey all instructions by the splash pool attendant and exit quickly.
- Warning: For safety reasons, pregnant women and persons with heart conditions or back trouble should not ride these water slides.
- Skipping in line and rowdy play are prohibited.
- No sunglasses or glasses are permitted on slide.
- Please be advised that this water slide ride is an adventure activity and may expose the rider to possible physical injury. In deciding to participate the rider assumes full responsibility for any injury sustained.
- Parents/guardians of children under the age of 18 are strongly encouraged to observe the activity prior to deciding whether to allow their child to participate. Adults are also strongly encouraged to observe the activity prior to deciding whether to participate.
- Violation of any of these rules will result in immediate discharge from the aquatic facility.
- Additional rules may be added by management as necessary.
Wading Pool Rules
- The wading pool is for children 7 years old and younger.
- All children who are not potty trained must wear swim diapers and swim suits at all times.
- Parents or guardians must supervise their children at all times.
- Flotation devices are not allowed in the pool.
- No running or rough play is permitted.
- Climbing on the equipment or over pool walls is not allowed. Please use steps to exit the pool.
- Sliding down the slide head first, or on the stomach is not allowed.
- Food, drinks and gum are not allowed in the pool area. In addition, littering is prohibited.
- The pool water is not suitable for drinking. Please avoid swallowing it.
- A ten minute rest break will be called ten minutes to every hour. Please utilize this time to drink water, use the restroom and apply sunscreen.
Diving Board Rules
- Extreme caution should be used on all diving boards. Head and neck injuries can result from improper diving.
- Only one person on any diving board at a time.
- Patrons must wait their turn at the bottom of the ladder until the person ahead of them has jumped from the board.
- Jumping or diving to the side is prohibited on all diving bards. You must jump straight.
- Jumping or diving from a backwards position is prohibited.
- Only one bounce on the diving board.
- Do not proceed off the diving board until the patron in front has safely reached the ladder.
- Once you have entered the water, exit at the ladder. Do not swim under the diving board.
- Participants must be able to swim one width of the main pool (50 feet) to use the diving area. If swimming ability is questionable, facility staff will evaluate the participant.
- Staff may ask patrons to leave the diving area if unsafe activities are observed.
Whirlpool Rules
- The use of the whirlpool is limited to those 16 years of age and older.
- Please shower before entering.
- Watch your step when entering/exiting the whirlpool.
- Please do not use soap in the spa.
- Patrons should not use the whirlpool for more than 15 minutes.
- Elderly persons and those suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should consult their physicians before using the whirlpool.
- Patrons who are using prescriptions medications and women who are pregnant should consult their physicians before using the whirlpool.
- Patrons shall not run or engage in activities that might disturb and/or endanger others in or around the whirlpool.