Wright's Pond, Tufts Pool To Reopen With New Policies

MEDFORD, MA — The Medford Recreation Department this week announced its plans for opening Wright's Pond and Tufts Pool. Hours of operation and the availability of day passes have changed for the 2020 summer season to ensure proper COVID-19 health and safety regulations are in place.

"I would like to thank the Recreation Director, Kevin Bailey and the Recreation Department for working tirelessly to make sure that Wright’s Pond and Tufts Pool will open for the summer," Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said.

New policies will be in place when the pond and pool reopen, but those are subject to change:

Wright's Pond (Expected opening date: July 1)

Medford has 24 lifeguards for both Wright's Pond and Tufts Pool. While the city began recruiting lifeguards in February, classes have not been taught due to the coronavirus pandemic. This limits the city to hiring only returning lifeguards.

Lifeguards are going to be asked to clean on a regular basis and wear face coverings during their entire shift. The allotted hour to clean between shifts is also an opportunity for staff to take a break from the heat.

Evening use will be allowed. Three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), the pond will have two shifts, 12:30-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. The other days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), the pond will be open for two different shifts, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Fees will be changed to $4 per adult, $2 per child and $3 per senior. Children under the age of 4 will be free. This fee structure is the same one that was used at Tufts Pool last year and has been approved by the Parks Commission. Initially, the city was going to charge $5 per person to make up for revenue loss; however, the Recreation Department will look for other revenue producing solutions to cover the loss.

The Medford Family Network will help support families that cannot afford the daily fee. To inquire about that assistance program, you can call the Medford Family Network at (781) 393-2106 or email mcassidy@medford.k12.ma.us.

Families will not be able to visit every day, as there are still capacity limitations due to the pandemic. Families are asked only to book three slots during the first week to allow for as many residents as possible to have the opportunity to visit. Passes will then go on sale each Monday for the following week. When booking by phone please call (781) 393-2486.

Tufts Pool (Expected opening date: July 7)

Tufts Pool will have similar restrictions but a different schedule and daily fee structure. The pool will be open Tuesday-Sunday from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., or 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. or 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. With shorter swim times, fees to use the pool are 50 percent less than Wright’s Pond. The fees will be as follows: Adult $2/Child and Senior $1. While the pool is open to both Medford residents and non-Medford residents, passes for Medford residents will be offered at a lower rate.

The pool must be closed on Mondays as the COVID-19 guidelines require the Recreation Director to increase the chlorine in the pool each week. Additional maintenance and cleaning will be performed on Mondays as well.

Adult Lap swim, camps, and programs will not be scheduled this year. Lap swim will be available at the Medford High School pool when the state moves into Phase III. Lap Swim will continue to be offered at Wright's Pond.

The pool will be rented to swim teams as allowed under phase II for youth sports. These rentals are to help offset the loss in revenue this year from aquatic programs and membership fees at the pool and pond. The city will only be renting during time frames the facility was closed to the public in previous years.

1. Financial aid will continue to be offered through Medford Family Network. To inquire about that assistance program, you can call the Medford Family Network at (781) 393-2106 or email mcassidy@medford.k12.ma.us.