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Swimming Pool
The Thornton Park Pool is now open for the 2021 season with COVID-19 protocols in place. From now through July 4th, in order to limit group size and allow for proper cleaning, the pool will be open for multiple, consecutive, two hour time blocks each day. Registration for daily time blocks will open at 9 am two days prior to the date of the planned visit. Each individual or family will be permitted to register for one session per day. Advance registration will be required for all sessions and is available through our online registration system. The two hour time blocks will be from 10 am - 12 pm, 12:30 - 2:30 pm, 3 - 5 pm, and 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Beginning July 5th, the pool will be open to the public daily from 10 am - 7:30 pm and advance registration will no longer be required. More information on how to visit the pool this summer is included below.
Daily Admission Refunds for Inclement Weather for Registered Swim Sessions.
Refund will be give if your session is canceled, due to weather, one hour after the start of your swim session. Please note, refunds are based upon the designated session times not individual pool entry times. (This does not apply during normal operation outside of the pandemic.)
General Information:
MASK POLICY
The City is following CDC guidelines with regard to masks. CDC guidance now says that vaccinated people can safely remove masks. Unvaccinated people are encouraged to mask indoors and outdoors, especially in situations where there are likely other unvaccinated individuals, and when social distancing isn’t possible.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Deck chairs will be set up in groups to allow for social distancing. Please do not move deck chairs.
SHARED EQUIPMENT
In order to prevent the spread of disease, The City of Shaker Heights will not be lending out life jackets, dumbbells, kick boards, aquajogging belts or any other aquatics equipment. Please bring your own. All life jackets and flotation devices must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, and water wings will not be permitted.
RESERVATIONS
In order to limit group sizes, advance registration is required for all open swim and lap lane. The walking lap lane should be reserved as open swim. Residents may either make a reservation using their pre-paid admission or may purchase a daily admission. More information on admission can be found by clicking on the tabs to the left.
SWIM LESSONS
Due to the pandemic, swim lessons will be limited to private and semi-private lessons with small group sizes. More information can be found here. Registration is available through our online registration system.
FOOD AND CONCESSIONS
This year, due to the pandemic, there will be no onsite food such as concessions or vendor at the Thornton Park Pool. Guests are welcome to bring their own and eat in the picnic area outside of the pool fence. Alcoholic beverages and glass containers are prohibited. Coolers and other food (including snacks) should be left in vehicles or on picnic tables. The City is not responsible for unattended, lost, or stolen items.
The purchase of a Thornton Park Pool pre-paid admission allows residents the opportunity to make no cost reservations for open swim and lap swim sessions for the duration of the 2021 pool season. A pre-paid or daily admission is required for all adults and children age 4 and older. Adults ages 18 to 24 who are currently living with their parents are considered subsequent family members. Nanny pre-paid admission is also available for purchase. The nanny must be accompanied by children entering the pool. Proof of residency is required when purchasing pre-paid admission.
With pre-paid admission, residents can register for daily time blocks to visit the pool at no additional cost beginning 48 hours in advance of the session through our online registration system. For example, if you plan to visit the pool on May 31, reservation times will be available beginning on May 29. Reserved time blocks are two hours in length and each individual or family will be permitted to register for one session per day.
2021 Season Pool Pre-Paid Admission Rates
| EARLY BIRD (4/1-5/18) SH RES ONLY | REGULAR RATE (5/19-9/6) SH RES ONLY | |
| FIRST FAMILY MEMBER | $70 | $115 |
| SUBSEQUENT FAMILY MEMBER | $30 | $35 |
| SENIOR 50+ | $45 | $70 |
| SENIOR COUPLE 50+ | $60 | $95 |
| NANNY | $75 | $120 |
There are two ways to purchase your season pool pre-paid admission:
- Online
- Phone: 216-491-1295 or 216-491-1360. Have MasterCard, Visa or Discover ready. Proof of residency required: driver's license, current utility bill, lease, or purchase agreement. Current holders of Recreation ID cards must have cards renewed annually as proof of residency. Phone registration is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM-5 PM.
NON-RESIDENT GUESTS
Non-resident guests are limited to two per family per reserved time slot. Residents must make a reservation on behalf of their non-resident guests through their Recreation Department account. For more information, please contact Thornton Park Front office at 216-491-1295.
Daily admission to the Thornton Park Pool is available for residents who plan to visit on an occasional basis. Advance registration is required for all sessions and is available through our online registration system. Daily admission will be collected during the registration process. No on-site, day of visit admission will be sold in 2021. Residents can register for daily time blocks to visit the pool beginning 48 hours in advance of the session. Pool sessions are two hours in length and each individual or family will be permitted to register for one session per day.
2021 Season Daily Admission Rates
| SHAKER RESIDENTS | SHAKER GUESTS | |
| TODDLER (0-3) | FREE | FREE |
| PRESCHOOL (AGES 4-5) | $2.00 | $3.50 |
| YOUTH (AGES 6-17) | $5.00 | $8.50 |
| ADULT (AGES 18-49) | $6.00 | $9.00 |
| SENIOR (AGES 50+) | $5.00 | $8.50 |
NON-RESIDENT GUESTS
Non-resident guests are limited to two per family per reserved time slot. Residents must make a reservation on behalf of their non-resident guests through their Recreation Department account. For more information, please contact Thornton Park Front office at 216-491-1295.
Pool Rules & Policies:
- general Pool Rules & Policies
- Code of Conduct
- Diving Board Rules & Policies
- tot pool rules & policies
- slide rules & policies
- sprayground rules & Policies
Pool entry is not permitted more than 5 minutes prior to the start of the session. Guests not on the session roster will not be permitted entry to the pool. Drop-in visits to the pool are not permitted in summer 2021.
RULES & POLICIES:
- All swimmers must wear a color‐coded wristband on their person to use the pool.
- Swimmers must wear appropriate swimming apparel (e.g., no cut‐offs or athletic shorts).
- Children 10 years of age or under must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or over.
- No running, horseplay or unruly behavior.
- No glass containers of any type are permitted in pool area.
- No food on deck.
- Smoking is prohibited on City property.
- Profane, abusive, or vulgar language is not permitted.
- The City of Shaker Heights is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
POOL MANAGEMENT RETAINS THE RIGHT TO:
- Close pool immediately in the event of fecal contamination.
- Regulate flotation devices and toys—only US Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permitted (no rafts, water wings, inner tubes, etc.) in main pool only. Children in life jackets must have a parent within arm’s reach at all times.
- Zero Tolerance—take appropriate disciplinary action for acts that threaten the safety, welfare and environment of the guests or interfere with the operation of the pool.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
The following is prohibited:
- Use of obscene, profane, vulgar, derogatory, demeaning or threatening language or gestures.
- Disregarding pool rules and procedures.
- Entering the facility by means other than proper check‐in procedures.
- Threats and attempts to intimidate employees, lifeguards or guests.
- Throwing of articles in a deliberate or aggressive manner.
- Physically striking another individual.
- Attempts to goad or incite violence in others.
- Vandalism to City property.
- Racial or ethnic slurs.
- Spitting.
- Lewd or lascivious sexual behavior.
- Theft of property.
- Possession of weapons.
- Use of drugs or alcohol.
Individuals who engage in any of the above behaviors will be subject to immediate ejection from the property or facility and are subject to mandatory suspension from City property. Possible criminal charges by the Shaker Heights Police Department may follow.
DIVING BOARD RULES & POLICIES:
- As a safety precaution, before diving, divers may be asked to must pass a swim test, regardless of age.
- Only one person at a time is permitted on the diving board and ladder.
- Each person must wait until the proceeding diver has cleared the area before diving.
- Only one bounce is permitted on the diving board except during instructional activity, under the supervision of a diving instructor.
- Front dives and flips are allowed straight off the end of the board.
- Cartwheels, back dives and handstands are prohibited.
- Running dives are not allowed.
- Jumping off the diving board into the arms of another swimmer is not permitted.
- Divers must swim directly to the nearest ladder and leave the diving area.
- Swimming under the diving board is prohibited.
- Playing or swimming in the diving area is not permitted while boards are open for diving.
- Hanging off the end of the diving board is not permitted.
- Goggles, masks or flotation devices may not be worn going off the board.
- The manager on duty may restrict certain dives based on safety concerns.
TOT POOL RULES & POLICIES:
- Parents must remain within an arm’s length of their children.
- Children 6 years of age or under must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or over.
- No running of horseplay.
- Diaper changing facilities are located in the men’s/women’s bathrooms or locker rooms. Diapers may not be changed pool side.
- Only snug swim diaper or other protective swimsuit may be worn in the pool. No child in disposable or cloth diapers will be allowed in the pool.
- All flotation devices are prohibited in Tot Pool.
SLIDE RULES & POLICIES:
- Users shall ride feet first at all times; stopping or changing positions is prohibited.
- No stopping inside the slide.
- Only one user at a time is permitted: forming “chains” is prohibited.
- Always check to see if the landing area is clear before entering slide.
- Users must exit the landing area of the slide immediately.
- No life jackets or loose clothing to be worn while sliding.
- Slide is not recommended for pregnant women.
- No holding of small child while sliding.
- Sliders must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- LIFEGUARD must be present at all times.
- Height Restrictions: 48” Tall Slide 44” Short Slide
SPRAYGROUND RULES & POLICIES:
- Do not use sprayground when you have diarrhea.
- Water is not meant for drinking.
- Wash hands after using the restroom or changing diapers.
- Take restroom breaks, change diapers only in the restroom