General Program Guidelines

• Anyone with open wounds, bandages, diarrhea, or communicable diseases is restricted from swimming. This is a Board of Health regulation.

• Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the waterfronts at any time. Hale does not allow for BYOB at any time.

• Smoking, vaping or using other tobacco or marijuana products are not permitted.

• Stereos and amplified music is not allowed on the beach.

• Wild animals (geese, turtles, snakes, etc.) are not pets! Please do not feed or touch them.

• Supervision of children and campers is required; no child under 16 years old may be left unattended. Teens between 16-18 who have been dropped off, may be asked to leave if they cannot follow the user guidelines. 

Food on the beach:

• • In order to keep animals away, we ask that you only enjoy your food in the picnic area.  

  • The tables are not monitored or cleaned between use so it is recommended that you bring your own tablecloth.

Restrooms:

• • Restrooms are equipped with changing areas. Please do not change in public areas. 

  • The bathrooms use composting toilets. Please make sure to only “flush” toilet paper and other compostable materials. 

  • The rinsing station outside of the bathrooms can be used to rinse the pond water or sand off. Please do not use any soap as it can run off into the pond or into the woods and harm the environment.

Lost & Found:

• • There is no overnight storage for beach equipment. All personal property left at the beach is left at your own risk.

  • We do have a lost and found and you are welcome to borrow from this supply, but please make sure that anything you use is returned at the end of use.

  • Tents are not allowed by the water’s edge since they block the view of the water for safety purposes. If you wish to bring a shade tent, please keep it back along the wall. 

Our waterfront staff use whistles to communicate with each other and with patrons. Be sure you and your children know what to do when you hear a whistle:

• 1 short tweet = The lifeguard needs your attention.

• 1 long tweet = There is a hazard. Clear the water. (if the water is closed, 1 long whistle will be used to signal it is safe to re-enter)

• 2 short tweets = Someone needs help; make way for the lifeguard.

• 2 long tweets = There is an emergency; Clear the water immediately and await further instructions.

• 3 long tweets = Lost Bather/Someone is missing. Clear the water immediately so that lifeguards can search the water. 

In the event of an emergency, or if you cannot find your child, inform a staff member immediately. Every second counts on a waterfront. If 911 needs to be called, the staff will do this from the landline. Please do not call 911 if you see staff are responding, as it can lead to confusion with EMS. However, if someone is in trouble, and there is no staff member is sight, please do not hesitate to call 911 yourself.  

Hale's Family & Community Program follows CDC guidelines and local Board of Health recommendations in regards to illnesses or other communicable diseases. In general, if you are sick or ill, we would ask that you take a break for the day so as to not spread your illness to our staff, or other families.