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Tukwila Pool Rules

  • In an emergency, call 911.
  • Emergency phone is located at the front desk.
    • Pool Location: 4414 S 144th St. – Tukwila, WA 98168
    • Pool Phone: (206) 267-2350
  • First Aid Kit and Automated External Defibrillator (AED)  is located at the lifeguard station.

TPMPD Employees (Staff) are authorized to enforce rules and supervise the public use of the pool facility. Please follow all rules and respect Staff’s efforts to keep all patrons safe.

  1. A Staff lifeguard must be actively guarding whenever patrons are present in the pool area (includes the spectator area/bleachers, pool deck, and pool water).
  2. Staff may ask Patrons (any person in the pool water) to perform a swim test before entering the deep-end area, using the diving board and/or slide. See Section 5 for additional rules regarding the swim test.
  3. Adult Supervision: Children six (6) years of age and younger or under forty-eight (48) inches in height must be directly supervised by an adult in the water and be always within an arm’s length distance.
    • A maximum of three (3) children six (6) years of age or under are permitted in the water per adult.
    • Baby attire: Infants and toddlers must wear plastic pants or swimming diapers.
    • Diapers must be changed in designated diaper changing areas or restrooms.
  4. Non-swimmers (Patrons who are unable to pass the swim test) cannot go beyond shoulder depth water.
    • Non-swimmers may be allowed in the five (5) foot to five (5) foot six (6) inches swimming areas only when accompanied by an adult and within arm’s length distance.
    • Non-swimmers utilizing the five (5) foot to five (5) foot six (6) inches swimming area are encouraged to use a life jacket and must be accompanied by an adult and within arm’s length distance.
  5. Patrons using Life Jackets:
    • Must be fitted appropriately to the patron. Staff are available to assist patrons in size selection and fit.
    • Must be supervised from the water by an adult at all times and remain within arm’s length distance.
    • May participate in water activities taking place in depths no more than five (5) foot six (6) inches.
  6. Patrons with a history of seizures, heart, or circulatory problems are advised to swim with a buddy.
  7. Diseases and illness: Patrons with communicable diseases or illnesses within the last two (2) weeks shall not use the pool. This may include but is not limited to persons having skin lesions, sore or inflamed eyes, mouth, nose or ear discharge or diarrhea or vomiting.
  8. All Patrons must shower before entering the pool.
  9. Patrons wearing diapers need to have tight fitting protective covering to prevent contamination. Diapers must be changed in restrooms or locker rooms.
  10. Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use are prohibited.
  11. Food and drink in designated areas only. No gum or glass containers allowed anywhere on the premises.
  12. Spectators are welcome in the designated areas.
  13. Running, horseplay or pushing is not allowed.
  14. No diving in shallow water. Diving is only allowed from the deck in designated areas under direct supervision. (A yellow line marks the diving area and a red line marks the non-diving area.)
  15. Use of masks, fins, snorkels, boats/oars, floatation mats, noodles, other water toys, lap swim/water exercise/instruction equipment must be approved by the Staff. See Section 6 for additional rules regarding water toys and equipment use.
  16. Report all accidents and incidents immediately to Staff.
  17. Additional rules may be required, when necessary, for the safety and enjoyment of the Patron.
  18. Patrons who fail to comply with facility rules or instructions from Staff may be required to leave the facility.

Anyone eighteen (18) years of age and younger is required to perform a safety swim test in front of a certified lifeguard who is employed by the TPMPD. Lifeguards may also require adult patrons to pass the swim test. The swim test is designed to identify patrons swimming capability to ensure their safety while using our facility. The swimming capabilities and test level of all patrons is at the discretion of the lifeguards or the supervisor on duty. At any time, a lifeguard or supervisor may retest or revoke permission of any patron due to safety concerns or rule violations. The swim test will consist of:

  1. Having the patron jump feet first into the twelve (12) foot deep-end and allowing the water to go over their head.
  2. After resurfacing, the patron will begin swimming one (1) length across the pool (twenty-five (25) yards) in a strong forward moving manner using the freestyle, breaststroke, or a combination of both without stopping.
    • Dog paddle, backstroke or underwater swimming are not acceptable forms of swimming during the swim test.
    • No swimming aids or flotation devices may be used while taking the swim test (goggles are okay).
  3. Once patrons finish swimming one (1) length of the pool without stopping, they will then complete the final step of treading water continuously for twenty (20) seconds.
  4. All questions surrounding the swim test should be directed to the lead staff member on duty.

The use of all water toys (masks, fins, snorkels, boats/oars, floatation mats, noodles, etc.) and equipment is at the discretion of the lifeguard on duty. Water toys and equipment may be removed if they compromise the lifeguard’s ability to effectively scan on or below the surface of the water or the item is deemed unsafe for aquatic play. Water toys and equipment are not to be thrown or used to strike another patron. TPMPD provided water toys and equipment must be shared among all patrons who wish to enjoy them.

Patrons planning to bring personal water toys or equipment are encouraged to contact Staff prior to arrival for approval.

Additional water toys and equipment rules:

  1. Floatation Mats and Boats/Oars:
    • Swimming under, standing or jumping onto or from mats and boats/oars is prohibited.
    • No more than two (2) mats should be stacked on one another in the water.
    • Mats and boats/oars should be kept away from the pool edges and corners to prevent possible injury.
    • Mats and boats/oars are not to be thrown or used to strike another patron.
    • Mats and boats/oars are not permitted in the diving board or slide splashdown areas.
  2. Basketball Hoop and Volleyball Net
    • Slam dunking is not permitted.
    • Hanging on the rim, hoop, posts, or net is prohibited.
    • Roughhousing and horse play are prohibited.
    • Shots may only be taken from the water. Shots from the pool deck are prohibited.
    • Moving or adjusting the equipment must be performed by Staff.
  3. Lap Swim, Water Exercise, and Instruction Equipment:
    • For the safety of all patrons, “lost and found” masks and goggles will not be distributed to patrons.
    • TPMPD provided kickboards, pull buoys, dumbbells, noodles, fins, and all other instructional equipment are only for use during designated programs.
  1. Slide may only be open when a certified lifeguard is available to serve as a designated slide attendant (in addition to the required lifeguard(s) on duty). The slide attendant must be present and actively supervising slide activity.
  2. All patrons must pass the swim test to use the slide.
  3. Patron’s must be within the slide manufacturer’s recommendations for usage:
    • Minimum age seven (7) years.
    • Minimum height forty-four (44) inches.
    • Maximum weight two hundred eighty (280) pounds. Minimum weight is seventy (70) pounds.
  4. Patrons who are pregnant may not use the slide.
  5. Patrons may not wear life jackets, loose clothing that may cause entrapment, or use flotation devices.
  6. One patron at a time. The next patron must wait until the splashdown area is cleared.
  7. Patrons may not catch or assist other patrons coming out of the slide.
  8. Feet first entry only and hold legs together.
  9. No stopping inside the flume.
  10. Leave the splashdown area immediately.
  11. Swimming or diving in the designated slide splashdown area is not permitted unless the slide is closed.
  1. All patrons must pass the swim test to use the diving board.
  2. Patrons may not wear life jackets, loose clothing that may cause entrapment, or use flotation devices.
  3. One patron at a time. Patrons must swim directly to the nearest ladder and leave the diving area. The next patron must wait until the splashdown area is cleared.
  4. Patrons may not catch or assist other patrons using the diving board.
  5. Only one bounce on the board is allowed before diving unless the patron is in a diving class with a qualified instructor.
  6. Front dives, front jumps and front flips are allowed straight off the end of the diving board.
  7. Running dive, cartwheels, handstands, and hanging off the diving board is prohibited.
  8. Leave the splashdown area immediately.
  9. Staff may restrict certain dives based on safety concerns.
  10. Goggles, face masks, floatation devices, and other equipment are prohibited during diving board use.
  11. Swimming, playing, and/or diving in the designated diving board splashdown area is not permitted unless the diving board is closed.
  12. Swimming and/or playing under the diving board is not permitted unless the diving board is closed.
  13. Moving or adjusting the diving board fulcrum must be performed by Staff.