MORRIS TOWNSHIP SWIM POOLS TO OPEN ON JULY 3rd FOR THE 2020 SEASON –

SPECIAL COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ANNOUNCED
The Township of Morris Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce that the Township’s two Family Swim Pool facilities – Ginty Pool and Streeter Pool – will open for the season on Friday, July 3, 2020. This is consistent with Governor Murphy’s anticipated expansion of public gatherings to 500 people on this date (Current outdoor capacity limitation is 250 people).

The New Jersey Department of Health issued an administrative document – New Jersey Covid-19 Outdoor Pool Standards after Governor Murphy announced a green light to reopening public swimming pools for the 2020 season in Executive Order #153. It is this administrative document that is guiding the Township in re-opening for public swimming under the cooperation and support of the Morris Township Board of Health and local health officials. 

Central to the standards from the NJ Dept. of Health is to vigorously maintain social distancing for all those entering a public swimming pool, both on the deck and grassy lawns and also in the water.  To that end the State has implemented capacity limits for swim pool areas based on a formula of pool surface area and grounds capacities to insure proper social distancing designed to limit the potential spread of the Covid-19 virus.

We have calculated our 50 percent reduced capacities for Ginty and Streeter Pools, 715 and 525, respectively, each of which total above 500 persons capped by the State guidelines. We have also researched our historical visitation patterns for past pool seasons. With the anticipated mandated limits of no more than 500 people gathering within each pool complex at any given time, we will be taking a conservative action limiting our 2020 Season membership to a total of 1,000 categorical members, estimated at 2,500 individuals, very close to ½ of our usual seasonal pool membership. Spread between the two swimming facilities, we believe that we will be able to comfortably maintain the social distancing required by the Executive Order mandates. Per the NJDOH guidelines, we will limit our pool attendance to no more than the mandated capacity indicated by the State for any specific operating time period.

The Standards also require that certain high-touch amenities at the swim pools remain closed. At both swim pools, the slides and the diving board will remain closed to start the season. The spray features at the wading pools will remain open, but will require social distancing control by parents and caregivers. At Streeter Pool the small vortex pool will not be operating with its forced-water circular flow. 

In an effort to also limit high-touch exposures and cleaning, our picnic tables, deck benches and lounge chairs at both pools will removed for the 2020 season. Members may bring their own lawn chairs, but chaise lounges are discouraged.
Membership Fee Rebates

Members who have paid their 2020 season membership by June 24, 2020 will automatically receive a twenty percent (20%) rebate on their fee for seasonal membership time lost due to Covid limitations. Those registering after June 24 th for Early Bird rates until June 30 th , and for Regular Season Rates after June 30 th , will note that fees have been pro-rated to reflect a 20% reduction. August Only membership fees will remain unchanged.
Membership Renewal

Membership renewals shall only be completed on-line through our Community Pass portal or by mail or drop-off of an application and payment check to the Parks and Recreation Office at the Municipal Building. No cash will be accepted for any transaction. Membership will remain open until a maximum of 1,000 categorical paid memberships is reached. A waiting list will be maintained after the 1,000 maximum is reached.
Entry to the Facility

Membership cards are required to enter the facilities . All members must be scanned into the facility. This is crucial to allow for accurate contact tracing should there be a case of COVID-19 at the swim pools. Please remember your membership card at each visit. If you do not have your membership card, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 973-326-7371.

Visit our website(will be posted 6/25) for more information on photo session schedule for new members and those members needing replacement photos.
Guests

Guest admissions will be limited for the 2020 season. Due to the required Covid-19 capacity restrictions, paper guest passes and guest punch cards valid for 2020 paid memberships will only be accepted on Weekdays after 3:00 pm until closing.  No guest passes will be accepted on Friday, July 3, 2020 or on Weekends.

There will be no guest pass admission sales at the pools this year.  As of June 24, 2020 Guest Punch Card sales have been suspended. A swim pool member may only bring in one guest each day.

Organized birthday and special occasion parties will not be permitted for the 2020 season.
Health Checks

Members:  Staff will be alert for fever or signs of COVID-19 illness at designated entry points including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Temperature checks of members are not required for pool entry, but may be requested by a member. 

Informational signage on Covid-19 symptoms will be posted at the pool entrances and throughout the pool complex.  

Anyone exhibiting these symptoms will not be admitted to the pool, or they asked to exit the pool if the Covid-19 symptoms become evident after admittance.

Staff: Temperature readings of staff entering the facility will be required and recorded daily. Persons that have a fever of 100.4° or above or other signs of COVID-19 illness will not be admitted to the facilities. Pool staff will be trained to be on the alert for signs of illness and to stay home when they are sick.
Face Masks

Members must wear a face covering when entering and exiting the entrance gate and while using bathhouse facilities . Staff and members are encouraged to wear a cloth face covering while not in the water and when social distancing cannot be maintained, unless doing so would inhibit the individual’s health. 

Cloth face coverings should not be put on children under the age of two because of the danger of suffocation.

Lifeguards will NOT wear a face covering while on raised duty stands actively lifeguarding. Lifeguards will wear face coverings when at specific deck level or special feature lifeguarding positions, and at all times when not in active rotation inside the pool grounds.

Face covering should NOT be worn in the water.
Social Distancing is REQUIRED

We are required to have patrons maintain 6 feet social distancing while in the water, unless the individual needs assistance in order to swim, except immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.  

We also require 6 feet social distancing on the pool deck and grass areas, except immediate family members, caretakers, household members or romantic partners. 

Masks or face coverings are required when social distancing cannot be met.

A social distancing ambassador will be on the deck at peak visitation times to promote social distancing practices.
Restrooms

Restrooms will remain open for the use by our membership. Practicing social distancing is required while in the restrooms. Certain fixtures and stalls will be blocked to ensure 6 ft. separation while using the facilities.

Restrooms will be disinfected by Pool staff on a regular basis.

Foot coverings are required when in the restroom and shower area.

Hands should be washed frequently with soap and water. Hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol should be used if soap and water are not available. Do not touch your face (especially eyes, nose or mouth) with unwashed hands. Pool will have hand sanitizing stations available in the arcade areas. 
Pool Equipment

We will continue to provide free use Lifejackets to our members. However, when returning them they must be placed in the “Return Bin” so that they can disinfected by staff before placing them back on the storage rack.

We will not provide kickboards this year.

Ping pong tables and Noc-Hockey tables will be available for family use; however members must bring their own paddles, balls, sticks, and pucks. Social distancing requirements remain in effect during the use of these games. 
Lap Lanes

4 Lap Lanes will be available at each pool during normal operating hours. A maximum of 2 people in each lap lane swimming at one time. Lap lane swimmers are limited to 30 minute swim sessions.  
Swim Lessons

Members may register for swim lessons through the management office at the pools. We will offer Pre-school, Level 1 and Level 2 beginning swim lessons as a mandatory Parent and Child Activity. Instructors must stay 6 feet away from swimmers in these classes. No Level 3 beginner classes will be available in 2020 (non-parent). Level 4 and Level 5 advanced beginner and intermediate classes, where the participants can safely move in the water on their own, will be held with instructors out of water 
Concessions

The Ginty Pool concession stand will operate during regular pool hours. Members waiting to place orders shall maintain 6 foot distancing while in line or while waiting for the order to be completed. A clear acrylic barrier will be in place at the Concession window.

The Food Truck concession at Streeter Pool and the Ice Cream concession at both pools will remain outside the swim pool grounds. Patrons waiting to be served at the outside concessions shall maintain 6 foot separation between parties.
2020 Season and Hours of Operation

Dates: Friday, July 3, 2020 - September 7, 2020 

Closed from Monday, August 31, 2020 - Friday, September 4, 2020

Open Saturday, September 5, 2020 - Monday, September 7, 2020

Hours of Operation: Monday- Saturday (11:00 am-8:00 pm) and Sundays (12:00 Noon-8:00pm) Pools close at 7:30 pm beginning Monday, August 17, 2020
Morris Township Parks & Recreation, 973-326-7371, www.morristwp.com