For those who love a leisurely weekend activity, going to the park is often on the list of things to do. However, if you’re not familiar with Virginia, you might not know that the state opens its pools for recreational use on the last Friday of June. It’s one of the most beautiful states in the country and enjoys a relatively warm climate throughout the year, which means that its aquatic life is in excellent condition. Therefore, it’s a great opportunity to swim with the fish and watch the ducks swim around in circles.
Although it’s lovely to enjoy a leisurely swim in the park, you must remember that the water there is not suitable for you or your child to enter. There are a number of guidelines that you need to follow to ensure that your swim is safe and without any risks. Here are the rules for the Virginia Recreational Pools:
Table of Contents
Swimming And Diving Are Strictly Prohibited
The first and most obvious guideline is that you must not enter the pool area with any kind of aquatic life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fish or a frog or one of these amazing creatures, you will not be allowed to swim in the Virginia Reclamation Pools. The reason behind this is that there is usually a lot of activity in the water, which could lead to you being hit by an oar or a ball or even a large piece of wood. This is why it’s important to keep your head above water; it’s also why life vests are provided for free at the pools.
Even if you don’t get hurt, you’ll probably cough up some water and have to spend the day in the bathroom, which is no fun. This is why it’s important to keep your head above water!
Watch The Weather
Although it’s always nice to go for a swim during a sunny day, you must remember that the weather in Virginia can be unpredictable, which makes it essential to check the local weather conditions before you go.
If the weather is nice and warm, you might not need to worry about swimming outdoors. However, if the weather is cold, you might want to wait till the afternoon to go for a swim, as the sun will heat the pool up, making it easier to swim. If possible, always check the weather before going into the water, so that you don’t have to worry about any sudden downpours of rain that might come along and ruin your swim.
Another important factor to keep in mind is that the water temperature can fluctuate a lot. If you show up at the pool early in the morning, the water will most likely be cold and cloudy. As the day goes on, the temperature will increase a little bit, so it’s important to show up early in the morning to ensure that you don’t end up in the cold water.
Follow All Park Rules
The last and possibly most important rule is to follow all the park rules. This includes:
- Beaches: You have to keep the beach clean. No trilling or swimming near the beach is allowed;
- Birds: You must keep your distance from the wildlife, especially the protected birds;
- Firearms: You must not bring a firearm to the park, whether it’s loaded or unloaded;
- Drinking: You must not drink alcohol in the park;
- Eating: You must not eat meat in the park; and
- Chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers): You must not contaminate the water with these chemicals.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether or not you want to swim in the Virginia pools. The key thing to keep in mind is that the water is there for your use, so feel free to enjoy yourself.
However, if you want to keep your skin healthy and clean, it’s best not to enter the water. Therefore, you should consider other alternatives, such as hiking, running, or just chilling in the sun. If you get sick or injured while engaging in any kind of aquatic activity, you are fully liable for any medical bills that might arise.