Closure Policies for Weather

Closing Criteria:

• If we hear it or see it, we clear it.
  • At the first sound of thunder
  • At the first sighting of lightning
• Heavy Rain (Lifeguards cannot see the bottom of the pool)
• Severe Weather

Once the detection has been made and the alerts are received, staff will begin clearing the pool.  For safety reasons, all guests will need to move under a solid structure.  Umbrellas and canopies are NOT a solid structure, and therefore not safe.  Staff will assist all guests in finding a suitable safe location. 

Patrons and staff should not re-enter the outdoor facility or come out from shelter until 30 minutes after the last sounding of thunder or the last sighting of lightning.  Furthermore, patrons and staff should not re-enter the facility unless there are evident signs of clearing and the sky is no longer dark and threatening.

Refund / Rain Check Policy

Refunds will not be processed for inclement weather.  However, if you have arrived at the pool and have checked in within 30 minutes of the closure, you will be given a rain check that can be used during operational/public swim hours for the remainder of the current season. Please check with the front desk to help with these accommodations.  Rain checks are only valid in the current year.

Closure Policies for Contamination Incidents

In the event a fecal or vomit incident occurs in the pool, the pool will be closed per the Center for Disease Control and Model Aquatic Health Code standards.

The type of incident that occurs will determine the amount of time that is required for pool closure once the pool has been cleaned and treated properly. There are many variables that factor into the contamination treatment protocol and the total closure time.

Closure times can range from 45 minutes to 48 hours, depending on these variables.

Please do your part in minimizing closure incidents. Here are several ways that YOU can help keep the pool open and safe!

• Please shower thoroughly before swimming. One minute is all it takes to make a huge difference.
• Don't pee or poop in the water. Please use designated restrooms for these activities.
• Take children on hourly restroom breaks.
• If not 100% potty trained, please wear a swim diaper and a plastic reusable diaper over the swim diaper at all times. Reusable diapers can be purchased at the front desk.
• If you or a family member has experienced diarrhea in the last two week, please do not swim for a minimum of two week AFTER all symptoms have cleared.
• If you have open sores or open wounds, please do not swim until these areas have healed.
• Do not swallow the water.

Safety Breaks

During the swim season, the lifeguard will call a ten minute break every hour.  Why, you may ask? The following are several reasons:

• Swimmers need a break.  All swimmers, but especially kids need reminding of when to rest so their stomachs don't get too upset from ingestion of water and vigorous activity.  Kids need a break to also be reminded to go to the restroom. This can help prevent accidents in the water that may cause the pool to close down.
• Texas is HOT! We want Dow Park Pool to be a safe. enjoyable experience for all of our customers. To help ensure our lifeguard team remains alert, hydrated and attentive - the ten minute break helps the staff to regroup and be ready for the upcoming hour.
• Lifeguards have many duties to perform. Some of these are accomplished during the ten-minute breaks. Those duties include testing the water, taking headcounts, filling out paperwork, cleaning filters, restroom checks, practicing rescue and CPR skills, etc.

Safety Breaks will include both children and adults exiting the pool for ten minutes each hour, which will typically occur the last ten minutes of every hour.  Certain circumstances may affect the timing and specifics of the ten-minute break (such as weather), so occasionally the Safety Break time may change.  Customers will be given as much notice as possible in these situations.