Hudson Today

As we prepare to open the 16th Street Pool, please review the rules and regulations below.  We want everyone to have a safe and an enjoyable visit.  By following our rules and regulations we will have a fun and memorable summer together! 

 Coast Guard approved and labeled personal flotation devices, such as vests designed to provide vertical support, are prohibited. 

The United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (USCGMO), which approves personal flotation devices and regulates and requires their use in boats, recommends that personal flotation devices not be used for recreational swimming.   As such, personal flotation devices are banned at the G. Thomas DiDomenico Bayonne Municipal Pool (16th Street Pool) subject to the exception set forth below.  

USCGMO claims that personal flotation devices are designed primarily as life-saving devices, to provide flotation in case of accident or emergency, and that they are not intended for use for recreational swimming. 

The problem with allowing children to use personal flotation devices as a recreational aid while swimming is that they do not have the weight in their legs, the muscle control, nor the knowledge to stay upright while utilizing said device.  

Further, due to the number of people in the water at 16th Street Pool, this situation poses a danger and, in fact, the flotation device gives the child and his or her parents a false feeling of safety and security. 

Permitting children to wear personal flotation devices may make parents feel comfortable in leaving their children alone when this should be discouraged. 

A child should only be allowed to swim without parental or equivalent supervision if he/she is an experienced swimmer and you are confident of his/her judgment, his/her knowledge of, and respect for the water and his/her ability to swim. No one should ever swim alone as a matter of safety.  

The best solution to the problem is teaching children how to swim and not relying on the use of a flotation device as a child becomes dependent on said device.  Swimming lessons to develop the ability and confidence, along with teaching a child the dangers of water so that he/she knows the limitations of his/her ability, are the best measures that can be taken to prevent drowning.  

The City of Bayonne recommends children who cannot swim remain in the Kiddie Pool, with proper supervision always.   

EXCEPTION: The use of flotation devices is limited to those individuals who are physically challenged. ** This rule includes rubber rafts, inner tubes, water wings, and flotation swimsuits with inner tubes built in or attached to them. These floatation devices must be approved by Pool Manager.  

RULES & REGULATIONS 

• The following rules and regulations have been established for the benefit of all users of the swimming pool facility to assure the safe operation of the swimming pool facility and to provide enjoyable recreation for all.  
• Patrons are required to cooperate in observing these rules and obey the instructions of the Aquatics staff. Patrons violating swimming pool facility rules are subject to the revocation of their swimming pool facility privileges.  
• The City of Bayonne reserves the right to refuse admittance into the swimming pool facility when the capacity of the swimming pool facility has been reached or when otherwise deemed necessary for the health, welfare, or safety of the patrons.  
• The City of Bayonne welcomes patrons to enjoy the use of all its facilities without regard to race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.  
• The Pool Manager or his or her designated assistants is/are responsible for the operation of the swimming pool facility. Their instruction must always be followed.  
• Policies and procedures may be altered to match emergency or other guidelines provided by the Local, County, State and Federal Government. 

GENERAL RULES / ADMISSION POLICIES  

• Admission fees must be paid by all people ages three (3) years and older upon entry into the swimming pool facility. 
• All persons entering the swimming pool facility must pay the appropriate admission fee or present proof of a valid pass.    
• No one will be allowed in the swimming pool facility unless the swimming pool facility is officially open and a ready-to-rescue lifeguard is on duty and present on deck.
• Entering the swimming pool facility when it is not open for public use is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.   
• Persons leaving the swimming pool facility must pay to re-enter.  
• All patrons within the pool area must be dressed in swimming apparel. 
• If a patron with a disability needs special accommodation to use the swimming pool facility, please contact the Pool Manager.  
• Lifeguards have authority to enforce all swimming pool facility rules. Patrons who repeatedly violate the rules may be ejected by the Pool Manager.  
• Bringing any animal other than a service animal (dog) onto the immediate premises is prohibited. Service animals may not enter the water.  

GROUP ADMISSION POLICIES  

• A group of five (5) or more children (ages six (6)- seventeen (17) years) entering the pool must be directly supervised at poolside by an adult wearing swim attire. There must be one (1) adult for every five (5) children.  
• Groups with children ages five (5) years and under must provide one (1) adult per child in the water, due to the high-risk nature of the activity.  
• Summer Camp groups operating within the City of Bayonne (other than City of Bayonne Division of Recreation) must contact the main aquatics office before visiting the swimming pool facility.   

ALL FACILITIES  

• Grills and gas or electric cooking devices are not permitted into the swimming pool facility.  
• Glass containers, alcoholic beverages and narcotics are not permitted in the swimming pool facility.  
• Weapons are not permitted in swimming pool facility, including knives for food preparation by the public.  
• Smoking (tobacco or electronic) is not permitted anywhere within the swimming pool facility, buildings, grounds, or parking lots.  
• The office telephone and public address equipment may be used only to deliver messages of an emergent nature or facility information to persons at the swimming pool facility. 
• Employees are the only people allowed in the staff rooms, filter room, mechanical room, storage room and offices.  
• Single groups shall not monopolize an area of the pool and thereby limit its use by or intimidate other patrons. 
• Chairs are not permitted within six (6) feet of the pool side.  
• The City of Bayonne is not responsible for personal property or valuables at any time. Valuables may not be checked with the cashier or pool staff.  
• Headphones must be worn when listening to entertainment devices.  

FACILITIES  

• Food or refreshments may be consumed only at the snack bar or other designated areas. All refuse and waste papers must be deposited in designated trash and recycle receptacles. 
• Picnic baskets/coolers are permitted in the grass area of the swimming pool facility. All bags, baskets and coolers are subject to inspection.  
• The Kiddie Pool is a cell phone free zone. For safety, no cell phones may be used in the Kiddie Pool area.  
• Possessing food or beverages on the pool deck(s) within six (6’) feet of the pools’ edges is prohibited (except plastic bottles of water brought by a patron for personal consumption). 
• Tents or shade devices are not permitted.  

ATTIRE 

• All patrons within the pool area must be dressed in swimming apparel.            
• Swim Shoes are allowed. 
• No street shoes or clothing are allowed on pool decks.  
• Clothing such as shirts, gym shorts, and underwear are not permitted as swimwear.  
• Clean T-shirts may be worn for medical reasons and religious reasons only, but first must be approved by the Pool Manager. 

LOCKER ROOMS  

• Use of locker room facilities is limited to patrons for the purpose of changing.  
• Personal grooming is not permitted within the facility. Personal grooming includes, but is not limited to, cutting nails, coloring/cutting hair, washing clothes, exfoliating.  

BEHAVIOR  

• Socializing with or distracting the pool staff is prohibited.  
• No person within the swimming pool facility shall behave in such a manner as to jeopardize the safety and health of himself/herself and/or others. Such behavior, including abusive or profane language, shall be grounds for expulsion.  
• Loitering is prohibited at the swimming pool facility. 
• Running, boisterous, or rough play, pushing, acrobatics, dunking, wrestling, splashing, yelling, diving, or jumping haphazardly, snapping of towels, improper conduct causing undue disturbances on or about the swimming pool facility or any acts which would endanger any patron are prohibited.  
• Spitting, spouting water, blowing nose, urinating, or defecating in the pool is prohibited.  
• Swimming under the bulkhead is prohibited. Patrons are not allowed on the bulkhead.  

AGE RESTRICTIONS 

• Children under twelve (12) years old entering the swimming pool facility must be accompanied and cared for (at pool side) by a responsible person (16) years old or older wearing swimming attire.  
• Children under six (6) years old must always have a responsible person in the water with them and within arm’s reach.  
• Use of the wading pool (Kiddie Pool) is restricted to children ages seven (7) years old and under. Each child must be supervised in the water by a person at least fourteen (14) years old.  
• Children must not be left unattended.  

HEALTH / SAFETY POLICIES  

• The City of Bayonne assumes no liability for injuries or damages arising from participation. Due to the strenuous nature of some activities, the participant is advised to consult his/her physician concerning fitness to participate. All activities present certain inherent risks and hazards which the participant assumes. 
• Infants/children who are not toilet trained and adults who are incontinent who wish to enter any pool, must wear a disposable swim diaper covered by a separate plastic pant, all of which must fit snugly around the legs and waist. If the diaper becomes soiled, this person must leave the pool immediately, and may not return until he/she has taken or been given a soap shower and has been recovered by a new diaper with clean plastic pants.  
• Persons under the influence of alcohol or narcotics will not be permitted in the swimming pool facility or the surrounding area.  
• Any injury occurring in the swimming pool facility must be reported to the pool management immediately.  
• Any person having a skin disease, sore or inflamed eyes, cold, nasal or ear discharge, communicable disease, or who is wearing any kind of bandage or Band-Aid will not be permitted in the pool(s).  
• Persons having any considerable area of sub-skin tissues, open blisters, cuts, etc., are warned that these are likely to become infected. Such people will not be permitted in the pool(s).  
• Any adult or child who is experiencing even a mild case of diarrhea will not be permitted in the pool(s). 

EQUIPMENT /TOYS  

• Toys, balls, inner tubes, inflated boats, and rafts are not permitted in the pool(s).  
• Wearing eyeglasses in the pool(s) is discouraged unless necessary. 
• Specialized equipment, such as kickboards, fins, or paddles, is not permitted.  

RULES FOR SWIMMERS  

• Non-swimmers must remain in shallow water (chest-deep or less).  
• No prolonged underwater swimming for time and/or distance. 
• Competitive and/or repetitive breath holding can be deadly and is not permitted. 
• Coast Guard approved and labeled personal flotation devices, such as vests designed to provide vertical support, are prohibited.  
• Water wings (swimmies) are prohibited.   
• Back floats, bubbles, rings, or one-sided flotation devices are prohibited.  
• Floatation devices of any type are prohibited on diving boards (if any), slides, or lap lanes  
• Diving is prohibited.   
• Cartwheels and handstands off the board or the side of the pool(s) are prohibited.  

WATER SLIDE   

• All users must be at least forty-eight (48”) inches tall.  
• Only one (1) person is allowed on the slide at a time. 
• Children may not ride with their parents.  
• Users must slide feet first only, on back.  
• Users must always keep hands inside the slide.  
• No stopping, turning, standing, kneeling, or rotating is allowed.  
• Users must start slide when directed by dispatcher.  
• Users must exit receiving pool immediately.  
• If the tower rules are not maintained, or anyone creates a disturbance in line, they will be denied its use by the pool safety staff.  

WEATHER  

• During storms, outdoor pools will be closed, and the entire area will be cleared of patrons. Due to limited cover, patrons are encouraged to leave the facility.  

PRACTICE HEALTHY SWIMMING HABITS 

• Under Health Department standards, adopted on the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), accidents involving fecal matter now require longer pool closure. Prevention is far better than contamination, so please follow the CDC’s healthy swimming habits.  
• Use the bathroom before getting into the pool. Take frequent bathroom breaks and check swim diapers often.  
• Change diapers in the bathroom (not the pool area). Throw diapers away in trash receptacles. Do not dispose of in toilets or rinse in showers/sinks.  
• Avoid swallowing pool water or even getting it in your mouth.  

For any questions or concerns, you may contact the Pool at 201-243-1124 or the Division of Recreation at 201-858-6127 or email BAYONNEREC@AOL.COM.

Original source can be found here.