City of Wooster Pool Rules & Policies

CITY OF WOOSTER RECREATION DEPARTMENT Pool Rules & Policies Summer 2025

WELCOME TO WOOSTER POOLS

The City of Wooster operates Freedlander Pool, Christmas Run Pool and Knights Field Sprayground.

In addition to providing safe spaces for families to play and spend time together, the Recreation Department also organizes Competitive Swim Team & Aquaerobics.

Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult or older youth 14 and older. All individuals must have their visitor pass or membership to visit the pools. Children ages 13 - 17 may enter without an adult if they have a valid visitor pass or membership. Pool Passes can be purchased at either pool, Wooster Community Center, or either Wooster Buehlers locations.

KNIGHTS FIELD SPRAYGROUND 701 Rebecca St. Wooster (330) 262-8468 MON - FRI: 10:30am - 4:30pm SAT & SUN: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Open May 24 - August 16

ABOUT WOOSTER POOLS

FREEDLANDER POOL 400 Hillside Dr. Wooster (330) 345-8334 MON - FRI: 12:00pm - 7:30pm SAT & SUN: 12:00pm - 6:00pm Open May 24 - August 16

CHRISTMAS RUN POOL 680 N. Grant St. Wooster (330) 262-2891 Closed 2025 season for renovations

POOL MEMBERSHIPS Pool passes are valid at all locations as well as the YMCA Ellen Shapiro Natatorium at Wooster High School. Passes will not be refunded. Passes may not be used by anyone other than the person for which the pass was purchased. Borrowed passes will be invalidated. Children UNDER 3 years old are admitted FREE but must be accompanied by a paying or pass holding adult. Lost passes may be replaced at a cost of $8 per pass.

Scholarship Rate Passes are available for $20 for children 17 & under who's primary residence is within Wooster city limits and can provide proof of financial assistance (Caresource card, free/reduced lunch letter, letter from local agency, etc.).

Scholarship Rate passes are only available for purchase at the Wooster Community Center.

WOOSTER POOL POLICIES Inclement Weather At the sound/sight of thunder/lightning, the pool will be cleared for 30 minutes.

Please see the detailed inclement weather policy for further information.

Heavy rain can obstruct visibility, and the pool will be cleared until the rain or wind slows and visibility improves.

The pool will remain closed until the water is deemed safe to re-enter after inclement weather.

Refunds will not be issued for daily admission, but rain checks may be issued for those who have been at the facility for less than 60 minutes before the weather delay. A receipt is required to receive a raincheck.

Aquatic programs, events, and rentals are scheduled when the average water and air temperature is at least 70°F.

Substance and Behavior Policies No alcohol, drugs, smoking, or vaping/ecigarettes are allowed in the pool area.

Persons suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be denied entry or required to leave the premises.

There shall be no running, dunking, towel snapping, horseplay, pushing, throwing of litter, or any other activity deemed dangerous or inappropriate by the lifeguards or management.

Profanity or abusive language will not be tolerated.

There shall be no destruction of property.

Health & Hygiene Bathers should practice good hygiene and shower before entering the water.

Notify a lifeguard or staff member immediately if your child has an accident in the water or on the pool deck. Do not attempt to clean it up yourself.

Please do not bring sick children to the pool until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

Swimsuit Policy The City of Wooster regulations require all persons to wear a bathing suit with a hygienic liner while swimming. Clothing is only permitted on top of a bathing suit. Athletic shorts are not considered a swimsuit. If a patron is not wearing a bathing suit, they will be asked to exit the facility.

Approved Swimwear

SWIMWEAR SAFETY Pick the safest colors for your swimwear this summer!

Neon shades like bright pink, orange, yellow, and green stand out against the blue or turquoise of the water, making them easier to spot from a distance. This increased visibility can be especially important for safety, as it helps lifeguards or other swimmers quickly identify a person in the water.

WOOSTER POOL POLICIES Flotation Devices The use of flotation devices is limited to U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets and infant flotation seats only.

Individuals with a flotation device: May not use climb wall or diving boards.

Must be accompanies in the water by an adult within arm’s reach at all times.

May not be in the water alone under any circumstances.

WOOSTER POOL POLICIES General Conduct No running.

No profanity or abusive language.

Patrons may not enter any pool until a lifeguard is on duty and must exit the pool immediately at the lifeguard’s request.

No standing or climbing on tables or benches.

Food and drinks must remain in designated areas (grass areas or picnic tables only).

No glass containers allowed.

No mermaid tails, monofins, or swim devices that restrict the use of legs.

Patrons should not talk to on-duty lifeguards except in emergency situations.

No public displays of affection.

Pets are prohibited in the pool area unless the animal is a guide dog, as permitted by law. Service animals are not permitted in the pool itself.

The City of Wooster is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Diaper changing must be done in the locker room, not poolside.

Adults are responsible for supervising children at all times within the facility.

Lap Lanes & Equipment Use Lap lanes for lap swimming only.

Do not swim through or hang on lap lane ropes.

Starting blocks are for swim meet use only.

No hanging or dunking on the basketball hoop.

Climbing wall and diving boards are not permitted for use by individuals with floatation devices.

WOOSTER POOL POLICIES Swim Test Policy Swimmers must pass a deep-water swim test to enter the deep end. The test includes: Swimming 50 yards continuously without touching the bottom, wall, or lap ropes.

Demonstrating safe and confident swimming ability.

Play & Behavior No throwing or dunking other swimmers.

Splashing is allowed only in the designated splash zone (center of the pool).

Anyone not toilet trained must wear aqua diapers.

Proper swimwear is required at all times. (See diagram for approved swimwear.)

Lewd or inappropriate touching is prohibited.

POOL RULES Water Safety No spitting water in or around the pool, except when medically necessary (ex. due to choking or water inhalation) Enter the pool feet first – no diving, flips or spins from the pool edge.

Children under 5 must be within arm’s reach of a responsible person in the water at all times.

Youth 13 and older may stay at the pool without supervision.

Youth 14 and older may act as a responsible person for younger children.

There is a rest period at the top of every hour. During this time, only adults and children under 5 (with an adult) may remain in the water.

Additional Patrons with open wounds, band-aids, stitches, or skin infections are not allowed in the pool.

Breastfeeding mothers are allowed to breastfeed in any public place, including pool areas, as protected by Ohio Revised Code 3781.55.

Pool rules must be followed at all times. Failure to comply may result in removal from the premises. Please note that refunds will not be issued for rule violations, and memberships may be suspended or revoked at the discretion of facility management.

Daily Admission Child- $5.00 Adult- $7.00 Senior- $5.00 Refunds/Rainchecks will not be given due to inclement weather.