Pool Information & Policies | Park District of Highland Park

These guidelines are a combination of Park District of Highland Park rules and those required by the Illinois and Lake County Departments of Public Health. They are enforced for the health and safety of our guests, employees, and facilities. All persons who choose to disregard these rules are subject to temporary or permanent ejection. Pass holders may have their pass privileges revoked. All other Park District of Highland Park rules and policies not specifically listed here are also applicable.

General Facility Guidelines

All Hidden Creek AquaPark guests, swimming or not, are granted admission to the facility by purchasing a daily admission ticket or purchasing and scanning a summer pool pass.
All patrons must obey lifeguards, management, and other pool staff.
Parents and/or guardians are responsible for supervising their own children.
Lifeguards are responsible for enforcing safety rules and responding to emergencies.
Children 11 years and younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult, 16 years or older. Individuals wearing a US Coast Guard-approved Life Jacket must have an adult in the pool and within arm’s length of the individual wearing the Life Jacket.
No one should swim alone.
No outside food is permitted within the facility
Admission to the pool shall be refused to all persons having any contagious disease; any infectious conditions such as colds, fever, ringworm, foot infections, skin lesions, carbuncles, boils, diarrhea, vomiting, inflamed eyes, ear discharges; or any other condition that has the appearance of being infectious. Persons with excessive sunburn, abrasions that have not healed, corn plasters, bunion pads, adhesive tape, rubber bandages or other bandages of any kind also shall be refused admittance.
All persons are encouraged to take a shower before entering the pool area. Bathers who leave the pool area are encouraged to shower before returning.
Alcohol and drugs are not permitted in the facility. Persons under the influence of alcohol or exhibiting erratic behavior shall not be permitted in the pool area.
The pool water is not suitable for drinking. Avoid swallowing pool water.
Spitting or spouting water, blowing the nose, peeing, pooping, or otherwise introducing contaminants or bodily fluids into the pool is not permitted. These are all serious health hazards.
Littering is prohibited. In addition, no food, drink, gum or tobacco is allowed in other than specially designated and controlled sections of the pool area. Glass containers are prohibited.
Food and/or drink and/or coolers are only allowed in designated grassy and concession areas of Hidden Creek AquaPark. Staff reserves the right to confiscate all coolers, food, and drink containers not within the designated boundaries. Glass containers and sharp knives are prohibited.
Use of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vape pens is prohibited at all Park District of Highland Park facilities.
Personal conduct within this facility must not jeopardize the safety of self or others. No running, ball throwing, boisterous or rough play is permitted. Toys are not allowed in the pool.
Use of foul or inappropriate language, or other acts of belligerence towards staff or other guests, will not be tolerated.
Only clean footwear, baby strollers or wheelchairs are allowed in the pool area or bathhouse.
Glass, soap, or other material that might create hazardous conditions or interfere with the efficient operation of the swimming pool shall not be permitted in the swimming pool or on the pool deck. Suntan oils should be washed off prior to entering the pool.
All apparel worn in the pool shall be clean. Swimsuits are preferred. Apparel is limited to appropriate, tight-fitting athletic wear. Individuals in street clothes will be restricted to designated areas of the facilities. No cutoff shorts or street clothing allowed in the pool.
Clothing with metal fasteners, buttons, zippers, or metal objects is not permitted to be worn while using the water slides. Eyeglasses/Sunglasses, goggles, or jewelry are not permitted while using the water slides.
All slide users must be 48” tall and be able to swim to the poolside unassisted.
Children who are not toilet-trained will be required to wear tightly-fitting rubber or plastic pants over diapers, or approved disposable or reusable swim diapers.
Diving in water less than 5 feet deep is not permitted except when allowed for competitive swimming and training. Caution shall be exercised in the use of diving facilities.
Swimming is prohibited at outdoor swimming pools when lightning and thunder is present, including a 15-minute period after the last lightning or thunder is observed.
Portions of the pools may be closed at the discretion of management.
Elderly persons, those suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, pregnant women, or persons using prescription medications should consult their physicians before using the water slides, drop slides, diving platforms or diving boards.
Please be advised that the water slides, drop slides and diving platforms or boards are considered adventure activities and may expose the individual to possible physical injury. In deciding to participate, the individual accepts full responsibility for any injury sustained.
Flotation devices, including but not limited to rafts, kick boards, diving rings, balls, pool noodles, toys, float belts or vests (including those sewn into the swimsuit), will not be allowed in the pools during public hours. Only Coast Guard-approved Type 2, Type 3, and Type 5 flotation devices will be allowed, and vests are available at each park district aquatic facility, for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
Individuals with special needs that require the use of wheelchair on deck or approved flotation devices in the water will be accommodated, please make any special needs known to the supervisor on duty.
Goggles and face masks are allowed. Fins, snorkel tubes, and mermaid tails are prohibited.
The use of cell phones, still and/or video cameras is prohibited in all locker rooms and changing areas. Radios, personal music devices, cell phones and other electronic devices must be restricted to low volume for personal use. Headphones/earbuds are preferred with electronic devices in order to avoid disturbing other patrons.
Personal lawn furniture is allowed in designated areas.
Refunds will not be given for any early closings, including those due to weather.
Guests may re-enter the facility by obtaining a hand stamp prior to leaving the front gate. Re-entry may be delayed when the facility is at maximum capacity. Do not leave children unattended inside the facility.
Pets are not allowed in the facility.
The Park District of Highland Park is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Rules may be added or amended by management as deemed necessary.

Diving Guidelines

Guests must be able to swim to the poolside unassisted in 12 feet of water.
Only one person is allowed on the diving board or platform at a time.
Wait for the diver to swim to the side wall, ladder, or out of deep water before the next diver proceeds.
Only one bounce is allowed.
The diver must leave the board from their feet and dive straight off the board. Diving to the side is prohibited.
Divers must exit the area; free swim in the diving area is prohibited.
Hanging on the diving board.
Adults may not “catch” children from the diving board.
Guests wearing a yellow or red non-swimmer wristband are not allowed to use the diving boards.
Skipping in line or rowdy play is prohibited.
Guests may not wear goggles or life jackets when using the diving board.

Water Slide Guidelines

All slide users must be 48” tall and be able to swim to the poolside unassisted.
Pregnant women and individuals with heart conditions refrain from using all slides.
Metal objects, eyeglasses, locker keys, metal snaps and jewelry are not allowed on slides.
All guests must slide down either in a sitting position or lying on their back, feet first. Sliding down headfirst and/or on the stomach is prohibited.
Only one person is allowed on the slide at a time, no chain riding is allowed.
Stopping intentionally, standing and/or kneeling on the slide are strictly prohibited.
Hands must be kept inside the flume.
Riders must exit the pool immediately after each slide.
Riders must wait for the attendant’s signal before starting the ride.
Adults may not “catch” children exiting any slide.
Skipping in line or rowdy play is prohibited.
Guests may not wear goggles or life jackets when using the diving board.

Kiddie Slide and Zero Depth Area

Children should not crawl up the slide.
Children must slide down either in a sitting position or lying on their back, feet first. Sliding down headfirst and/or on the stomach is prohibited.
An adult must be present with each child riding the slide or in the Zero Depth area.
No diving into shallow water.
Do not swim under the slide.
There are no deck chairs allowed in the Zero Depth area or along the gutter line.

Splash Pad

This area is not supervised by pool staff.
Gate must remain closed at all times.
No children over the age of 10 permitted.
Children must always be accompanied by an adult.
No rough play or running allowed.
Jumping from the structures is not permitted.
Climbing up the sides of the structure is not permitted.
Children should not crawl up the slide.
Children must slide down either in a sitting position or lying on their back, feet first. Sliding down headfirst and/or on the stomach is prohibited.

Questions?

Matt

Hartnett

Aquatics Manager

847.579.4061 mhartnett@pdhp.org

Alex

Casler

Aquatics Supervisor – Programs

847.579.4050 acasler@pdhp.org

site search