Policy

All groups must obtain a Park Manager’s approval before coming to a Washington County beach. Certain guidelines must be followed to create a safe and enjoyable visit for all our park visitors. These guidelines were developed to assist groups, organizations, and families in the implementation of safety measures for their beach outing.

Guidelines

Park visitors must abide by Washington County Parks Ordinance #213.

1. Group supervisors must be age 16 or older, dressed appropriately in swimwear, and they must accompany the children in the water.
   1. The minimum ratio of supervisors to children is:
      1:3 for children ages 4 and under
      1:6 for children ages 5 to 9
      1:10 for children ages 10 and older
      This represents only a minimum requirement. It is the responsibility of the organization and its supervisors to know each child’s limitations. Children with special needs shall be required to have a higher supervisor/child ratio.
   2. You must check in with the lifeguard when your group arrives or when the lifeguards start to guard. The lifeguards will determine whether you have adequate staff and training to provide the needed supervision and personal protection your group requires. If the lifeguard determines you do not have adequate staff, your group will not be allowed to use the swimming area.
   3. Groups are required to swim in the designated group swim area. If children are not swimming in the designated group swim area, the entire group will forfeit their swimming privileges for the day.
   4. Supervisors must notify lifeguards about children who have disabilities of special needs/circumstances that might affect their ability in the water.
2. It is required that all groups and organizations use the “buddy” system. Assign two or three children to always be responsible for one another. Continually test them by entering the water and asking them to identify their “buddies.” Do not wait for safety breaks. Set a time that the children should report to a predetermined area.
3. Any inner tube, life raft, or other inflatable or buoyant object or floatation device intended to support a person in the water is prohibited except a United States Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device. The Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices may be used when properly secured, of the proper size and undamaged. Use of Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices shall be limited to specific sections of the swimming beach. Any use of Coast Guard approved personal floatation device outside of the designated section is prohibited. Handicapped persons who require use of a flotation device to participate in swimming may be exempt by special permit from the Parks Manager or designee.
4. Use the children’s bodies as indicator for a safe depth for water activities:
   1. Below the armpits for children who cannot swim.
   2. At the waistline for children who are not sturdy in the water.
5. No hanging or pulling on the buoys or ropes in the water.
6. No throwing sand, mud, rocks, or other objects in the water or on the beach.
7. No running or horseplay in dressing rooms and beach house areas.
8. No glass containers are allowed anywhere in or near the beach area.
9. No smoking allowed on the sand area of the beach or in the water.
10. Alcohol, including 3.2 beer, is not allowed.

Children Supervision

Caution: Children must be instructed, and supervisors must enforce that “no child shall ever leave an assigned area without permission”. That means no child goes to the restroom, concession, or vending area, play structures, etc., without permission. 

When you arrive at the beach, make it a point to advise all children to check in at the First Aid Station if they become separated from the group. They should proceed immediately to that area and inform park staff that they are lost.

Additional Information and Responsibilities

Washington County Parks reserves the right to cancel your beach visit or divide your group into shifts if extreme beach conditions arise which would provide an unsafe swimming environment.

• If weather conditions appear questionable, call 651-430-8370 to find out the possibility of the beach closing due to weather.
• The beach closes for a half-hour from the last time that thunder or lightning is observed, or if other weather conditions warrant closure.
• Lifeguards enforce rules and regulations and react to emergencies at the beach.
• Lifeguards are not responsible for the supervision of swimmers.
• Groups who do not have proper supervision or do not follow the group rules and regulations will lose swimming privileges for the day and will have to vacate the swimming facility/beach area.
• It is the group’s responsibility to obtain prior approval at least seven (7) days before your park visit to any beach in Washington County Parks.