David Dearing sent in this letter sent to Broad Ripple Park. The responses are listed below his original letter.

Ronetta:

At approximately 5:10 p.m. today, July 3rd, I arrived at Broad Ripple Pool for a quick swim, but was denied entry by two lifeguards who said that the pool had reached its capacity. I asked them what they were talking about and pointed out that the pool could not possibly be at capacity because I had seen at least ten swimmers leaving as I walked from the parking lot. The guards persisted and asked if I wanted to speak with a supervisor and I said "yes." The head guard, Hannah, came out quickly and said that it is an Indy Parks policy that once the pool hits capacity, no other swimmers can enter for the rest of the day. I said that did not make any sense -- once the number of swimmers drops below capacity other swimmers should be admitted. Moreover, why should I be excluded at 5:10 when there were maybe twenty people in the pool, simply because there was a capacity crowd earlier in the day? Hannah was sympathetic, but said she was just doing as she was told.

Having worked as a lifeguard for several summers when I was in college, I understand the concept of "capacity," but this policy is ridiculous. Once capacity is reached, the guard who is posted at the front to stop other swimmers from entering can simply admit them as swimmers leave, e.g,, if three swimmers leave, then the first three people in line can enter and so on. As the day wears on and lots of swimmers leave, at some point common sense dictates that it should no longer be necessary to worry about capacity. It was particularly ridiculous for the guards to prevent me from entering at 5:10 p.m. when the pool was virtually empty.

David E. Dearing

Good morning and thank you for your patience while I worked with our team. With our capacity guidelines being expanded beyond what they were initially at the start of the season, we are able to accommodate more pool visitors.

We are allowing people to enter as others leave as long as there is still time left to swim in the session (at least thirty minutes). Park Managers have authority to use reasonable judgement to adjust their capacity limits if they feel like they could safely admit additional swimmers or observe that there are a significant number of people on the deck and in the water.

I apologize for the confusion when you visited and encourage you to stop by again to enjoy the pool.

Let me know if you have questions.

Thanks, Ronnetta

Ronetta:

Please clarify. Are swimmers allowed to enter after 5:30? I don't see that it matters as long as they leave at closing,

Yes, swimmers are allowed to enter the pool if we are not at capacity when the swimmer arrives and if the water/pool levels are at safety levels.

The 30-minute reference would vary per pool based on the circumstances at that specific pool. In some cases, we've seen cloudy water or other water issues occur, especially after a full day of pool goers. So, I am unable to say that everyone who comes to the pool will get in at 5:30 p.m. at every pool. If we are not at capacity and the water levels are at safety levels, then, yes, swimmers would be allowed in the pool.

In checking with Kathy, Broad Ripple has only hit capacity twice, so we do not anticipate entry questions. Again, there are several factors that could delay entry with capacity and water levels being factors.