The following rules and regulations have been established for the benefit of all users of the swimming facilities to assure the safe operation of the pools and to provide enjoyable recreational opportunities for all. Patrons are requested to cooperate in observing these rules and to obey the instructions of the Aquatic Staff. Patrons violating swimming rules are subject to the revocation of their swimming privileges. No refunds will be given.

General Rules/Admission Policies
1. No one will be allowed in the swimming area unless the pool is officially open and a lifeguard is on duty. Entering the pool area when it is not open for the public use is prohibited and may be considered a trespass.
2. All persons entering the pool area must be members of GARA, present a day pass  or guest pass, or be part of a program or group authorized for entry to the facility.
3. Organized groups must follow our group use policies, and must be directly supervised at poolside by an adult in swim attire. All groups must schedule their visits in advance.
4. Lifeguards and staff have the authority to enforce all pool rules. Patrons who repeatedly violate the rules or reasonable requests of staff may be ejected from the facility.

Facility
1. Food or refreshments may be consumed in the picnic and grassy areas. Please do not eat on the pool deck.
2. Glass containers are not allowed on the pool grounds.
3. Employees are the only persons allowed in staff rooms, filter room, chemical storage areas and offices.
4. Only lifeguards are permitted on the lifeguard stands. Jumping from the lifeguard stand into the pool is prohibited.
5. Smoking is not permitted within the fenced in area or immediately outside the entrance gate. Smoking area is located outside the upper pool back gate only.
6. The outdoor pools may be closed and cleared periodically for a safety check or to apply chemicals to ensure proper sanitation of swimming pool water.
7. Upper pool will be closed on days when Green Acres is hosting a home swim meet. These dates will be posted to the bulletin board at the pool entrance as well as on the pool website. The lower pool will be open for both lap swim and recreational swim on these days.
8. Please respect others and clean up after yourselves when you leave the pool. Throw away trash, wipe down the table and return any equipment or toys that you may have borrowed from the pool.
9. Shoes required when playing or working on wooden deck outside guard office.

Attire
1. All swimmers must wear suits made of material designed for swimwear. Cut offs, gym shorts or underwear will not be permitted.
2. Swimwear should not have been worn for exercising immediately prior to pool use as soiled clothing can create an unhealthy swimming environment.
3. T Shirts (including those for modesty or sun protection) are not permitted in the pool. Rash guards, which are tight fitting and designed for in- water use, will be permitted.

Age & Health/Safety Restrictions
1. While on the premises, children under 12 years of age, regardless of swimming ability, must be accompanied by an adult supervisor (age 18+)
Swim team activities are exempt form this rule.
2. All non-swimmers must be registered at the facility prior to or upon entry.
3. Adult supervisors must ACTIVELY SUPERVISE their children and keep young non-swimmers within arm's reach ("touch supervision")
4. Any injury occurring on the grounds must be reported to a lifeguard or pool supervisor immediately.

Under Health Department standards, adopted on the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control, accidents involving fecal matter now require longer pool closures. Prevention is far better than contamination, so please follow the CDC's Healthy Swimming Habits:
- Shower before entering the pool and after using the toilet.
- 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 to cover an open (unhealed) wound will not be permitted in the pool.
- A diaper changing station is located in the shower area at the upper pool. Please do not change diapers on the pool deck or in grassy areas.
- For public health reasons, standard diapers cannot be worn in the pool Children who are not yet toilet trained must wear an appropriate swim diaper covered with snug fitting rubber-vinyl pants, A bathing suit must be worn over the rubber-plastic pants.
- If the diaper becomes soiled, this person must exit the pool immediately and may not return until they have been thoroughly cleansed and a new diaper with clean rubber-vinyl pants has been replaced.
- Any adult or child who is experiencing even a mild case of diarrhea may not use the pool.

Behavior
1. Socializing with or distracting lifeguards while they are on the stand is prohibited.
2. No person in the pool area shall behave in such a manner as to jeopardize the safety and health of self and other. Such behavior, including abusive or profane language, shall be grounds for expulsion.
3. Running, boisterous or rough play, pushing, acrobatics, dunking, wrestling, offensive or disruptive splashing or yelling, diving or jumping without care and caution, jumping or diving into/onto flotations, snapping of towels, improper conduct causing undue disturbances on or about the pool are or any acts which would endanger any patron are prohibited.
4. Spitting, spouting water, blowing nose, urinating or defecating in the pool is prohibited.
5. No prolonged underwater swimming for time and/or distance, Competitive or repetitive breath holding can be deadly and is not permitted.
6. Gum chewing is not permitted anywhere in the pool area for health and safety reasons.

Equipment/Toys
1. Swim toys, balls and the like may be used at the discretion of the lifeguards on duty.
2. No hard balls will be allowed in the pool: footballs, volleyballs, soft/base balls, basketballs, etc.
3. Mermaid suits/fins and mono fins are not permitted.
4. Inner tubes, inflatable boats and rafts, or inflatable bathing suits are permitted in the pools at the discretion of the guards based on number of swimmers using the pool/
5. Non-swimmers and weak swimmers may use assist devices ONLY when immediately supervised by an adult (18+)
6. The use of starting blocks is restricted to approved swim practices, swim meets and instructional programs only under the direct supervision of a properly trained instructor/coach.
7. Swim Team equipment owned by the pool (kick boards, fins, paddles, buoys, etc) is for swim team use. Lap swimmers are welcome to use the equipment as long as it is returned. Team equipment will remain in the lower pool area and is not to be taken to the upper pool.
8. Shoes must be worn when playing horseshoes and basketball. Must be 12 years or above to use the horseshoe pit. Ages 12-15 require adult supervision.

Toddler Pool and Playground
1. Use of the wading pool is restricted to children five years old and under. Children must not be left unattended.
2. Children using the playground behind the tot pool must be supervised. This playground is restricted to children ages 10 and under.

Diving Boards
1. Anytime the diving boards are in use the diving well must be cleared of all persons other than the divers. No general swimming is permitted in the diving area unless staff closed the diving boards.
2. Only one person is allowed on the diving apparatus (including ladder) at a time.
3. Anyone using a diving board must wait until the preceding diver has surfaced and reached the ladder before climbing on the ladder. Please remember to look before you leap; do not jump if there is someone beneath you.
4. Running on the diving board is not permitted. Serious injuries may result.
5. Divers may not spring/bounce more than once on the board.
6. No inwards, reverse dives, back dives, or other such divers shall be permitted. Exceptions may be made for competitive divers that have been evaluated for competency by our staff.
7. Jumping or diving onto/into floating devises from the board or side of the pool is not permitted.
8. Individuals wearing swim vests, floaties or water wings may not use the board.
9. Cartwheels, handstands, and other such gymnastic activities off the board, side of the pool are prohibited.
10. Upon surfacing, immediately swim to the nearest ladder. Do not swim under the boards at any time.

Swimming Lessons
1. Only Green Acres instructors are authorized to teach swimming lessons within our facilities. Water activities for private gain are not permitted without approval of the Green Acres Board.
2. Parents, in order to assist us in offering a quality program for your child, we ask that you do not remain at the water's edge during the class unless specifically requested by an instructor.
3. The program fee covers only the lesson and no other use of the facility, Persons wishing to swim following their lesson must purchase a day pass or provide evidence of a valid membership as appropriate.

Weather/Environmental Conditions
1. During rainstorms, the outdoor pool may be closed and the entire area cleared of patrons at the discretion of the supervisor on duty.
2. During thunderstorms patron must evacuate the outdoor pool and seek shelter. The pools will not reopen until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.
3. If lightning is seen in the distance (no thunder), the pool will be cleared. Evacuation indoors will be required at the first sound of thunder and whenever the flash-to-bang count is less than 30 seconds, indicating the storm is in close proximity.
4. The pool will not open when the air temperature is below 73F. Closure information will be posted to the pool website. If the temperature falls below 73F during the course of the day, the pool will stay open at the discretion of the supervisor on duty.

Changing Areas
1. Children 6 years of age or older must use gender appropriate bathrooms. There are two non-gender specific bathrooms/changing areas available at the lower pool bath house.
2. Please leave valuables at home. GARA can not be held responsible for personal property or valuables at any time. Lost & Found will be disposed of weekly.
3. The use of cameras, video cameras or any devise containing camera equipment of any kind is prohibited in all locker rooms, bathrooms, and changing facilities.