Medford Recreation
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COVID Operational Plan for Wright's Pond


 
COVID-19 Operational Plan for Wright’s Pond
 
 
The Medford Recreation Department is committed to providing safe recreational activities at Wright’s Pond. While there will be some risk involved in visiting or working at the pond this Summer, the following rules and procedures must be adopted to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep our employees and patrons safe.
 
Facility Closure or Staff Absences:
 
Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19: All Staff members should recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever above 100.4, chills, muscle pains, shortness of breath, sore throat, or loss of taste and smell. Anyone experiencing one or more of these signs should contact the Recreation Department immediately and not report to work. In addition, at each start of your shift, employees should take a temperature reading. Upon notification from the Recreation Department, a staff member is showing symptoms of COVID-19, the pond must be closed for 24 hours and disinfected before reopening. Employees who have worked the same shift as the person experiencing symptoms must not return to work for 14 days.
 
If the Board of Health or Recreation Department receives notification a person vising Wright’s Pond is showing symptoms of COVID-19, The pond will be closed for 24 hours and disinfected before opening.
 
If the pond needs to be closed due to inclement weather, water quality, or from COVID-19, we will communicate to the public by posting an alert on our website (medfordrecreation.org), Facebook post, and email blast to the patrons who purchased swim passes. Everyone who purchased a pass will receive a credit on their account to be applied to a future date. We will not be able to process refunds.
 
 
 
 
 
Occupancy:
 
To help encourage and allow social distancing, Wright’s Pond will have a maximum occupancy of 50 people at one time.
 
Social Distancing:
 
Recreational activities including swimming and wading, should be conducted with adherence to social distancing recommendations of 6 feet between individuals and the proper use of face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
 
Face coverings should be worn by patrons and staff when social distancing is not possible.
 
Face coverings should not be worn while in the water.
 
Organized activities, including but not limited to, swim lessons and ball games is not allowed.
 
Designated Locations:
 
To help maintain social distancing, the beach will have designated 12x12 locations where families can set their belongings. The locations will be visible by stakes and rope. Please refer to the map on the last page of this document for a visual explanation.
 
Bathhouse:
 
The bathrooms in the bathhouse will remain open but the changing stalls will be closed. Patrons should not use the bathrooms to get dressed. In addition, the Snack Shack and outdoor shower will remain closed for the season.  
 
Hours of Operation:
 
Wright’s Pond will have adjusted hours to accommodate frequent cleaning, maximize the amount of people who can visit the pond per day, and to keep within our staff budget. The pond will be open for the season beginning Wednesday, July 1st to Sunday, August 23rd and will be open seven days per week. New for this Summer will be designated time blocks patrons can purchase as a swim pass. The hours will be as followed…
 
Monday, Wednesday, Fridays, and Sundays:
10:00am-10:30am: Closed for Cleaning / Disinfecting
10:30am-1:30pm: Open for Swimming (Block 1)
1:30pm-2:30pm: Closed for Cleaning / Disinfecting
2:30pm-5:30pm: Open for Swimming (Block 2)
5:30pm-6:00pm: Closed for Cleaning / Disinfecting
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday:
12:00pm-12:30pm: Closed for Cleaning / Disinfecting
12:30am-3:30pm: Open for Swimming (Block 1)
3:30pm-4:30pm: Closed for Cleaning / Disinfecting
4:30pm-7:30pm: Open for Swimming (Block 2)
7:30pm-8:00pm: Closed for Cleaning / Disinfecting
 
Purchasing Wright’s Pond Passes:
 
All passes will need to be sold on-line to eliminate cash handling and shared computers among employees. Medford Residents can purchase online by visiting MedfordRecreation.org and logging into their household account. Select the Wright’s Pond photo on the front of the website which will take you directly to the pass sales. First, select the time block you wish to visit the facility, followed by selecting the date. Once we reach maximum occupancy for specific dates and time blocks, you will not be able to purchase a pass. When you arrive to the pond, you will need to give the names of each person who has a pass and show proof of Medford Residency.
If you do not have access to a computer, you can call the Recreation Department (781) 393-2486 to complete your transaction over the phone.
 
Birthday Parties / Events:
 
Due to the limited occupancy, we will not be allowing birthday party reservations or host events at the pond.
 
Cleaning/Disinfecting Directions:
 
During Pond Closures:
  • All staff should wash their hands with soap and water.
  • Restock bathrooms with paper products and soap.
  • Staff should remove face masks when social distancing is possible and rehydrate.
  • Clean and disinfect bathrooms including all handrails, door locks, knobs, diaper changing station, etc..
  • Disinfect both break rooms including surfaces and chairs.
  • Clean and disinfect all picnic tables and benches.
  • Disinfect all lifejackets used during the previous swim block.
  • Disinfect guard chairs, umbrella poles, rescue tubes, and rescue board if used during the last swim block.
  • Disinfect Ranger station.
 
During Swim Blocks:
  • Water flowers
  • Empty trash barrels
  • Remove geese feces
 
Additional Pond Rules specific to COVID-19:
 
  • Equipment (except your own PFD) cannot be brought in from home including noodles, toys, and balls. Only ADA approved equipment for personal use is allowed.
  • If you use a loaner lifejacket from the facility, it should not be returned to the rack. Place it in the contaminated bucket for the staff to disinfected during the next cleaning break.
 
 
Lifeguard Management
 
The following information below is how the Recreation Department will manage our lifeguards and rescue procedures to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
 
Lifeguard Personal Equipment:
 
In addition to lifeguard hip packs containing a pocket mask and gloves, two face masks will be in your pack in case you need to immediately provide first aid or assist in removing a person from the water.
 
Hand Sanitizer:
 
Hand sanitizers should be on both lifeguard chairs while open to the public. During rotations, lifeguards should sanitize their hands. Another bottle will be in the break rooms for all employees to use.
 
Disinfectant Spray:
 
Staff should use the disinfectant spray at the beginning of their shift to sanitize their rescue tube for the day. In addition, sanitize the commonly touched locations of the lifeguard chair including the arm rests and umbrella while rotating stations. The Rescue Board should also be disinfected after each use.
 
Rescue Procedures:
 
The following modified rescue procedures has been approved by the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council.
 
  • If you need to provide immediate first aid, if the injured patron is not wearing a face mask, hand them one of your masks in your hip pack. The second face mask should be worn by the lifeguard.
  • For basic first aid, please send the patron to the Supervisor on duty. In addition to face masks, the Supervisor should wear their face shield.
  • When possible, lifeguards should limit their contact while making water rescues. Extending or throwing a rescue device should be prioritized if conditions permit.
  • If direct contact is needed for a water rescue, employing a rear approach and rescue will be ideal.
  • In-water ventilation will be temporary suspended. Lifeguards should remove a non-breathing patron from the water and provide ventilations using a Bag Valve Mask located in the medical bag.
  • While the first lifeguard responding to a water emergency cannot wear a face shield, secondary and responding lifeguards should put on a face shield in addition to gloves and assist the primary lifeguard in removal from the water.
  • If CPR or ventilations is necessary, a Bag Valve Mask should be used.
 
 





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