Outdoor Pool Policies

1. Swimming Supervision and Life Jackets

• Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by someone 16 years of age or older at all times when in the pool. The City of South St. Paul strongly encourages active supervision by adults.
• Life Jackets are encouraged for novice swimmers and must be US Coast Guard Approved Type III.
  • Adult parent/guardian must be in the water and within one arm length of the person wearing a Life Jacket at all times.
  • Life Jackets are allowed in zero depth area and shallow end of the outdoor pools only.
  • Life Jackets must properly fit according to the Pool Manager’s discretion otherwise the swimmer will not be allowed to wear it.

2. Toddler Time - Splash Pool at Lorraine Park

• Toddler Time is for children ages 4 and younger, their parents, grandparents and guardians, Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM for a discounted price of $2 per person.
• Family members over the age of 4 are not allowed.
• All Toddler Time participants must exit the pool at 12:30 PM. Regular pool admission or pass is required after the Toddler Time session and will be pro-rated. Example: If daily Toddler Time admission is paid at $2, another $3 will be charged to join the regular pool hours on the same day, equaling the $5 daily admission rate.

3. Personal Care Attendants and Service Animals

• Personal care attendants must pay applicable admission fees and be with their client at all times in or out of the water.
• Certified service animals are allowed to accompany guests however are not allowed in the water per Minnesota Department of Health rules. Comfort/Emotional Support animals are not allowed.

4. Pool Parties: Private Pool Rentals

• Private groups must have a responsible adult 21 years or older actively supervising the entire group during the entire rental period.
• Parks & Recreation will provide certified lifeguards with a maximum ratio of one lifeguard per 20 participants in the pool. Lifeguards will be assigned based upon group size. Lifeguard costs are included in the rental fee.
• All outdoor pool rules must be adhered to during private rentals.
• Outside food allowed only for pre-approved group rentals.
• Pre-approved group rentals with reserved areas will be charged an additional $5 per person for outside food. These groups are permitted to bring outside food but must supply their own paper products and are responsible for all cleanup and disposal. Outside food and beverages are allowed during private rentals and must be confined to the picnic areas.
• No food is allowed on the pool deck or in the water.
• No alcohol or glass containers are allowed.
• Private groups are not allowed to charge admission or sell any products or services during the rental.

5. Private Swim Teams and Clubs: Swimming during a private rental period

• Swim teams must have a responsible adult 21 years or older actively supervising the entire group during the entire rental period.
• A certified lifeguard who is actively guarding, not participating, must be on duty, provided at the sole expense of the private team/club. Proof of lifeguard certification and group liability insurance must be submitted to the Aquatics Recreation Supervisor prior to the rental.

OUTDOOR POOL RULES

1. No one in water at beginning of session until guards blow whistles.
2. For your safety - no running, pushing, dunking, splashing others, or spitting of water is allowed.
3. Children not toilet trained must wear tight fitting plastic pants or swim diapers in all public pools.
4. Bathing suits are required. No cutoffs or frayed clothing allowed.
5. As a family facility, obscene language or boisterous rough play is not allowed.
6. No gum, food, tobacco or alcoholic beverages allowed in pool area.
7. No jumping or diving from ladders or guard chairs.
8. No diving is permitted except in the designated areas.
9. One on the diving board at a time, only one bounce on board.
10. No horseback rides or throwing swimmers.
11. No hanging on ropes.
12. No swimming under diving board (Keep Out Area). Only permitted if the board is closed and properly posted.
13. US Coast Guard Type III approved floatation devices only. No other floatation devices allowed.
14. No diving for objects (rocks, pennies, etc.)
15. Swimmers must be able to swim one pool length before going in deep end.
16. Leave pool immediately when whistle blows and end of session.
17. Persons with or suspected of having a communicable disease which could be transmitted through the use of the pools are prohibited from working at or using pool.
18. Any person with open blisters, cuts or any other considerable area of exposed subdermal tissue must be warned that these may become infected and advised not to use the pool.
19. Any person using the pool must take a cleansing shower with soap and warm water before using the pool, after using the toilet, after applying lotion.
20. No pets or domestic animals are permitted in the pool area or dressing room.
21. No carry-in coolers, no outside food, and no pool floats. 

All the rules listed are not absolute but should be enforced with discretion based on type of program, ability and number of swimmers and the effect it will have on the pool.