Pool Guidelines

Guideline: Please obey all lifeguard instructions.

       Reason: Lifeguards are trained to keep patrons safe.  Their requests are for the safety of patrons.

Guideline: Please shower before entering the swimming pool.

       Reason: Showering washes away material that may get into the pool. This reduces the risk of disease transmission and the amount of chemicals that need to be utilized.

Guideline: Persons with open cuts, sores, or blisters are not permitted in the swimming pool.

       Reason: Open cuts, sores, and blisters may expose other patrons to germs.  The chlorinated water may also make the injury uncomfortable to the patron.

Guideline: Children who are not potty trained must wear a swim diaper or plastic pants (disposable diapers are not permitted.)

       Reason: Swim diapers are made specifically to contain the biological waste.  Regular diapers may absorb too much water and then explode.

Guideline: Please use appropriate changing facilities (on deck changing of any age is prohibited).

       Locker rooms and family changing areas are available to patrons to provide privacy for all.

Guideline: Children 10 years of age and under must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times.

Reason: Lifeguards provide guidance and help in an emergency.  They are not a substitute for parental supervision.

Guideline: All children in flotation devices must be within arm’s reach of a supervising adult at all times (or non-swimmers.)

Reason: Lifeguards provide guidance and help in an emergency.  Non-swimmers (as indicated by flotation devices) have a higher drowning risk.  Floatation devices are not 100% successful. An adult provides another layer of protection.

Guideline: Flotation devices are not permitted in the diving area or slides.

       Reason: The diving area is a high-risk area.  If someone is unable to swim, there is no reason why they should be in the deep end.  Floatation devices can cause damage to the slides and may get in the way of user in the slide area.

Guideline: Everyone in the lazy river must remain in a tube at all times unless accompanying small riders. The item is in a manila envelope.

       Reason: Lifeguards are able to see patrons in tubes and recognize if the patron is in danger. Smaller riders may need assistance in the lazy river as the current is very strong.  Lifeguards provide guidance and help in an emergency but they are not a substitute for parental supervision. 

Guideline: Horseplay is prohibited.

       Reason: Horseplay activities may get out of hand and result in patrons injuring themselves or others.

Guideline: Hanging on safety ropes or basketball rims is not permitted.

       Reason: Safety ropes are there to assist struggling swimmers as well as provide markers for depth changes.  Patrons hanging on the rope unnecessarily may cause damage to the rope.  Hanging on to the basketball goal may cause the goal to fall into the water and potentially injure patrons.

Guidelines: Dunking, riding on the shoulder, and “tossing” other patrons is prohibited.

       Reason: These are all actions that can easily lead to injury for patrons.

Guidelines: Outside food and drinks are not permitted.

       Reason: Food and beverages are available at the JAC Snack Shack.  It is difficult to determine if an outside food or beverage is safe for the patrons, i.e., alcohol, drugs, etc.

Guideline: Food and drink must be kept in the JAC Snack Shack area.

       Reason: This helps keeps the pool and deck area clear of food and debris. 

Guideline: Tobacco/Vapor Cigarettes/Alcohol/Drugs are prohibited. Smoking is allowed in designated areas at least 20’ from the entrance.

       Reason: City of Emporia Ordinance 18-14 states that any form of tobacco product or electronic cigarette in any playground (pools are defined as a playground) in any City Park, or within twenty feet of such playground is prohibited. Alcohol and drugs can slow coordination, judgement and reaction time.  This can lead to unsafe and dangerous situations in high-risk activities to include swimming.

Guideline: Public intoxication is not allowed.

       Reason: Alcohol and drugs can slow coordination, judgement and reaction time. This can lead to unsafe and dangerous situation in high-risk activities to include swimming.

Guideline: Running is prohibited.

       Reason: Running increases the chance of falls leading to injuries. 

Guideline: Swimmers must have appropriate swim attire.

       Reason: We are a family friendly facility and thus encourage modest coverage.

Guideline: Public nudity is not allowed.

       Reason: We are a family friendly environment.  Clothing all genitals makes for a more comfortable environment for all.  Clothing all genitals also protect sensitive areas from possible sun burns. 

Guideline: Glass is not permitted in the pool area.  

       Reason: Glass may break and make the facility unsafe for bare feet.

Guideline: Diving is only permitted in water at least 9’ deep.  All other entries must be feet first.  No belly flops.  Jumps from the side must also be forward-facing.  

       Reason: Deep water is safer than shallow water for head-first diving.  Forward-facing entries allow for the jumper to see if the area is clear of others.  Belly flops may cause injuries to the patrons because the surface area of the patron hitting the water at high speeds is much more.

Guideline: Piggybacks are permitted as long as the person carrying the other is in water less than armpit depth or an adult who does not appear to be a weak swimmer.  Appropriate times for this would be small children with their parents or older children playing in zero depth.  If it makes you feel uncomfortable, stop the behavior.  However, please remember that if somebody cannot swim, they must stay within armpit depth or be within arm’s reach of an ADULT.

       Reason: Patrons supporting other patrons can only safely do so in water in which they are able to touch the bottom.  

Guideline: Prolonged underwater swimming or breath-holding is not permitted.

       Reason: Loss of oxygen can lead to patrons losing consciousness. Reference Shallow Water Blackout.

Guideline: Lazy River tubes are only permitted in the Lazy River, not the main pool. 

       Reason:  River tubes and large floatation devices can block a lifeguard’s view.  We have limited number of river tubes so the tubes need to stay in the river so people can utilize them as designed.

Guideline: Ladders are for entering/exiting the pool.  Hanging on ladder railings is prohibited.

       Reason: Patrons may get caught in the ladder or clock it from other patrons who may want to use it.

Guideline: Non-swimmers and children in flotation devices must stay within armpit depth water in the zero-depth or have a supervising guardian within arm’s reach at all times.

       Reason: Patrons who cannot swim should stay in areas where their feet touch the bottom of the pool.  Lifeguards provide guidance and help in an emergency.  They are not a substitute for parental supervision.