Five Great ... Ways to Improve Public Pools
Tara Burghart Monday, July 25, 2011 at 7:30AM Last week, we brought you the Go West “Pooley Awards,” celebrating what’s great about the public pools, beaches, splash parks and spraygrounds (mostly owned and operated by park districts) in the far western ‘burbs. This week, we want to suggest five changes that could be made to make them even better.
Naperville's Centennial Beach, pictured here, has nights for families with special needs. More pools should do the same. Photo by wuperruper on Flickr.Bring Your Own: Most of the aquatic parks don’t allow you to bring your own food and drink inside. That means if you’re at the pool over lunch or dinnertime, you’re going to have to pay $3 or $4 a sandwich for concession food that’s not healthy and usually not too stellar in quality, either. With sides and drinks, a concession bill for a family can quickly top $25. Aquatic parks should let visitors bring in their own coolers with food to eat in the concession area. The kids will still likely end up buying popsicles or ice cream. But I’m all for vigilantly enforcing the “no eating by the pool” rule.
All in the Family: A few of the newer aquatic parks have family restrooms, but they’re not that common overall. I know it’s a space issue, but family restrooms are a godsend when you have a adventurous toddler who likes to climb out from underneath the stall or changing room curtain while mom is getting dressed. I’m sure they’re appreciated by larger families, too, when one mom is trying to keep track of a group of young kids. And of course they’re useful for dads taking their daughters to the restrooms.
More Hooks!: Please add some more hooks and shelves to the bathhouses. The floors are always sandy and wet – and while you might be lucky enough to find space on a bench on which to to balance your beach towel and bag, it usually ends up falling to the messy floor. Ick.
Special Needs: Centennial Beach in Naperville is hosting four nights this summer for swimmers with special needs, saying the Sunday evenings provide a “quieter, more relaxed atmosphere.” Every pool should do something similar.
Stormy Weather: Most of the aquatic parks and splash parks have a strict “no refund” policy if weather forces the pool to close. But how about issuing a coupon for several dollars off – or buy one, get one free – for a return visit? The coupon could even be stamped with the date the pool closed early, and the park district could require patrons to use it within a week or two of it being issued.
Go West Readers: Are there changes you think area pools could make to provide a better experience for families? Share them with us here!
Reader Comments (5)
I fully agree with the "Stormy Weather" coupon suggestion. As we all know, it's a lot of work to get kids and their stuff to the pool. And so very disappointing to have the visit cut short by the weather.
Now, if there was something that could be done to prevent the "accidents". Yuck! Just last week the shallow end at our local pool was closed down for 2 - 30 minute breaks so the staff could treat it after a,um, "Baby Ruth floater" was spotted. So gross!
I would love to see more shade. Anyone out of the water these past few weeks has been roasting hot.
The "accident" thing is gross..I agree. But it is usually not the babies or toddlers in swim diapers that cause it. It is usually the kids who are 4-6 that don't feel like taking that potty break because they are having too much fun. Having worked at a pool for several years and fishing out some of those "baby ruths" - it is annoying and gross....but it is the parent's responsibility to take their child to the restroom regularly.
I wonder if I can get through the summer without being at a pool shut down for a "baby ruth." Thanks for sharing your experience, Amanda. Now I know what lays ahead of me over the next few years at the pool ... keeping on top of my daughter to make sure she goes to the restroom!