Aquatic Facility Rules

• The Northbrook Park District is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
• Please remember that glass containers and alcohol are strictly prohibited.
• Strollers must be kept at a minimum of 5 feet from the edge of the pool and the wheels must be in the locked position.
• All children who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper and plastic pants.
• Street shoes are not allowed in the pool, on the pool deck or in the “wet” areas of the bathhouse.
• If lightning or thunder occurs, all patrons will be cleared from the deck area of the pool for a minimum of 30 minutes from the last occurrence of lightning or thunder.
• Cell phones with picture-taking capability or cameras of any kind are not allowed in any bathroom or locker room.
• “Cut-offs” (hemmed or not), jeans, pants, and trousers are prohibited in the water.
• Offensive language or other abusive conduct is prohibited.
• Personal conduct within the pool facility must be such that the safety of self and others is not jeopardized. No running, boisterous, or rough play is permitted.
• Diving is only allowed in the designated diving areas.
• Cutting across lap lines is prohibited, hanging on lane lines is also not allowed.
• Children age 6 and older should use gender appropriate locker rooms.
• The Northbrook Park District swimming pools are non-smoking facilities.
• Safety breaks will be used when the temperature is above 90 degrees for 10 minutes every hour on the hour to check the bottom and have children check in with their parents.
• Spitting, spouting of water, blowing of the nose or otherwise introducing contaminants into the pool is prohibited.
• Children 10 and under must be actively supervised by a parent or responsible person 16 years or older.
• If a swimmer needs to wear a cotton t-shirt into the water it must be a clean white t-shirt. No colored shirts will be allowed (unless rash-guard shirt).
• No prolonged underwater swimming or breath holding.
• No jumping onto flotation devices or inner tubes.
• Any activity judged unsafe by a lifeguard will not be allowed.
• Only US Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permitted.

The Pool Management has the authority to implement and enforce rules that are more stringent or that supplement those listed here.

Food and Concessions

• Food and drink are not permitted on the pool deck.
• Coolers are not allowed at the Meadowhill Aquatic Center. Exceptions will only be permitted in the case of a medical/dietary necessity or for children 2 years old and younger. Food and drink items are available for purchase at the concession stand.
• At the Sports Center Pool, coolers containing food and drink may be taken directly to the designated concession area, where they may be stored.

Swim Testing

Aquatic Staff reserve the right to decide who may enter the diving well. In order to use the diving boards and water slides, patrons must be able to participate unassisted and be able to successfully complete the swim test. The swim test consists of jumping into the diving well without goggles on and surfacing. Upon surfacing, the swimmer must perform a 30 – second tread of the water. After completing the tread, the swimmer must swim the width of the pool and back. All testing will be done with a lifeguard in the water and a manager on duty supervising.

Diving Well Rules

• Parents are not permitted in the diving well to “catch” their child.
• Goggles and floatation devices may not be used in the diving well.
• Only one person can use the climbing wall, diving board, or drop slide at a time.
• Wait in line until lifeguard says its okay to use climbing wall, diving board or drop slide.
• Swimmer in diving well needs to reach the stairs before you can start.
• One-meter diving will be closed when climbing wall is open.
• Drop slide users must be at least 48” tall and weigh less than 300 pounds.
• The diving well may be used for diving, water sports, and water therapy (treading and running).

Climbing Wall Rules

• Climbers start in the water only, not from the pool deck.
• Goggles and floatation devices may not be used.
• Only one climber on the wall at a time.
• No hanging from the glass board at the top of the wall.
• Feet first entry off the wall into the water. No flips, dives, twists.
• No Swimming in the drop zone area.
• Exit water promptly using the closet ladder. One attempt each. If you fall, you go back to the end of the line.

Vortex Rules

• Non-swimmers are not permitted in the Vortex.
• Water depth is 3’6” and the current is strong. Use caution when entering and exiting the Vortex.
• Guest may not stop, walk the opposite way, or hold onto the wall while using the Vortex. Stopping is permitted only for exiting the Vortex.
• Guests may only enter and exit the flow at a designated location.
• During crowded conditions, float times and number of swimmers in the Vortex may be limited.
• Guests are not permitted to hold onto or link arms with each other.

Water Walk Rules

• To use the water-walk, you must be able to reach the overhead cargo net without assistance.
• You must be able to stand or swim to the edge of the pool.
• Swim fins, masks, goggles, and floatation devices are not permitted.
• Violation of any rules will result in immediate expulsion from the facility.

Waterslide Rules

• Individuals must be at least 48” tall to use the waterslide.
• Riders must enter the water feet first, on their back.
• Standing, kneeling, or horseplay is not allowed on the waterslide at any time.
• Only one person is allowed on the single rider waterslide at a time. Up to 2 riders are allowed on the tube slide with the appropriate inner tube.
• The person at the top of the slide may not begin his ride until the lifeguard stationed at the bottom of the slide indicates that the “splash down pool” is clear.
• Riders may not take any items down the slide with them.
• Metal objects: rivets, buttons, jewelry, rings, keys, sunglasses, chains or watches are not allowed on the slide. No jewelry except medical alert bracelets, which must be taped, will be allowed. DO NOT COMPROMISE THIS RULE. Lifeguards are not responsible for items which they must ask you to remove.
• No goggles are allowed on the slides.
• Tubes must be returned to the tube corral at the end of the run. Tubes are for the water slides only and will not be permitted in the pools.

Personal Floatation Devices (PFD)

A PFD will not keep a patron from drowning and does not substitute for appropriate swimming skills and/or adult supervision of children. Adult patrons and parents/guardians of minor patrons are solely responsible for determining that the PFD is the proper size and fit, and that they are properly adjusted and worn.

• All children using a PFD must be supervised by an adult in the pool within arm’s reach at all times. A PFD is not a babysitter.
• Lifeguards and other aquatic staff are not responsible for assessing patron swimming skills or ensuring that patrons properly wear PFD’s
• PFDs are available for children 3 years of age, or 40 lbs, through adult sizes.
• PFD straps must be secured and the PFD must fit snugly. To check for a good fit, pick up the wearer by the shoulders of the PFD. If the PFD fits right, the wearer’s chin and ears will not slip through.
• Individuals wearing PFDs are not permitted on slides or diving boards.
• Do not alter PFD.
• Do not put heavy objects, sit, stand or kneel on PFD.
• Return the PFD to the guard office when finished using.

Group Supervision

• All group leaders will meet with a pool manager prior to entry into the facility to discuss facility rules, special
  needs or accommodations, staff/group ratios, location of manager’s office/first aid and where the group will be
  located during their visit.
• Managers will go over the group usage checklist with the group leader to ensure all information is covered
  before entry into the facility is allowed.
• Acceptable Staff to Participant Ratios – minimum requirement
  • 1:2 – 2 years old
  • 1:5 – 3 years old
  • 1:8 – 4-8 years old
  • 1:12 – 9-12 years old

Pool Closing Criteria

The pool may close due to the following conditions:

• Inclement weather is present
• Air temperature is below 65°, temperature is checked from weather.com
• Fecal or vomit introduced into the pool
• An aquatic emergency can possibly lead to the closing of the pool, depending on the severity of the incident
• Power outages