Pelican Harbor Pools To Open July 17 With Coronavirus Rules

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Pelican Harbor Outdoor Aquatic Park will open with limited attractions July 17 as the state moves to Phase 4 of the governor's reopening plan amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bolingbrook Park District announced Monday that public swimming will be allowed during specific time blocks of three hours each with a maximum capacity of up to 200 people at each session.

"Due to this limited capacity, we're only allowing Bolingbrook Park District residents and Pelican Harbor Annual Aquatic Members at this time," the social media post said.

Open attractions at the park will include zero-depth entry pool, Parkie's Oasis spray playground, small waterslides, sand play area, and sand volleyball. Indoor pool will not be available for public swim, but will continue to be used for lap swim and swim lesson.

Admission for each public swim time slot is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Gates will open at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. To check out specific slots, visit here.

For the "Revitalization" phase, the Illinois Department of Public Health has special directives for swimming pools, water parks, splash pads and beaches.

• Swimming facilities can open to a maximum 50 percent capacity.
• Operators, employees, and customers should wear face coverings when not engaged in swimming activities.
• Operators, employees, and customers should frequently wash their hands or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Operators, employees, and customers should adhere to social distancing where applicable.
• Operators should make employee and customer temperature checks required upon entry to the facility, and at mid-shift screen employees to ensure the absence of COVID-19 symptoms. If an employee becomes infected with COVID-19, they should remain isolated at home for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset.
• If a customer is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they should leave the facility.

In accordance with this, the district will have the following safety guidelines in place:

• Inflatable tubes for the tube slide will be disinfected after each use.
• Guests are required to wear a face covering in the facility on-deck, not while swimming. Children 2 and under will not be required to wear a mask.
• There will be no deck chairs available for use. Guests are asked to bring their own chairs to the park.
• High touch surfaces in the locker rooms will be sanitized regularly throughout the day.
• All equipment will be sanitized and cleaned between time blocks.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be located in the bath house and on-deck in the park.
• Life jackets will be sanitized between use.
• Parkie's Oasis will be limited to 25 guests at a time.
• Six feet distance must be maintained while waiting for attractions and concessions.
• Outside food is not allowed. The concessions menu will be limited to packaged goods only in accordance to IDPH guidelines.