Otter Cove Aquatic Park - St. Charles Park District, St. Charles, Illinois

Policies

Photo I.D. System

I.D.s must be taken of all pass holders. All pass holders, age 1 & older by opening day, must get a photo I.D. All photos will be taken at the Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Avenue.

NEW THIS YEAR...Photo Pass must be taken and used for entry to facilities within seven days of purchase. Pass sales receipt will only be accepted for entry within seven days.

Lost Pool Passes

A lost pass should be reported as soon as possible. A new pass can be issued for a $5 fee.

Aquatic Park Rules - click here.

Swim Lesson Refunds

14 days or less notice: There are no refunds for swimming lessons unless a medical slip from a physician is presented.

15 days to 30 days notice: From the beginning date of your original swim lesson: 50% of your swim lesson fee will be refunded to you IF your spot can be filled. The Assistant Superintendent of Recreation must approve all swim lesson refunds.

31 days or more notice: From the beginning date of your original scheduled swim lesson: 80% of your swim lesson fee will be refunded to you IF your spot can be filled. The Assistant Superintendent of Recreation must approve all swim lesson refunds.

Swim Lesson Transfers

Transfers to a different swim time or session will be allowed up until one week prior to the start of your current session, if room is available in an alternate lesson. There will be a $4 processing fee for all transfers. Each session will be closed to all transfers one week prior to each session start date.

Resident vs. Non-Resident Status
A resident is defined as anyone living within the geographical boundaries of the St. Charles Park District who pays property taxes contributing to the St. Charles Park District. The Park District reserves the right to request proof of residency. A non-resident is someone who lives outside the geographical boundaries and does not pay property taxes contributing to the St. Charles Park District. For the Park District's Board Approved Policy, click here.

Park District Boundaries
The Park District’s boundaries are similar to those of St. Charles Township. The only area in the Township’s boundaries, not in the Park District’s boundaries, is the Sugar Ridge subdivision in South Elgin. The following areas are located outside of the St. Charles Township, but are included within the Park District’s boundaries:

Far East Side — Pheasant Run Resort & Convention Center, Pheasant Run Trails, and Pheasant Run Court.
Far Northwest Side — The northern portion of Thornwood Subdivision in South Elgin which includes the following streets: Courtland Drive, Oakview Court, West Ellington Court, and East Ellington Court.

Age Limitations and Why
In order to provide your child with the best possible recreational and/or learning experience, all of our programs are planned according to the ages listed in our brochure. Our instructors are sensitive to the needs of the individual age levels. Children must be the age listed in the brochure for each program by the date the program begins unless otherwise specified.

Code of Conduct
To ensure safe and enjoyable programs and facilities for all residents, the St. Charles Park District has the following Code of Conduct:

Participants in programs and using facilities shall:

Show respect to all participants, staff, equipment, supplies and facilities.

Refrain from using offensive or profane language.

Refrain from aggressive behavior which could cause bodily harm.

The St. Charles Park District applies a caring, positive approach to discipline. The staff reviews rules with participants as necessary; however, the St. Charles Park District reserves the right to dismiss a participant whose behavior endangers the safety of themselves or others, causes property damage or exposes participants to offensive/profane language.

Liability Policy

The St. Charles Park District assumes no risk or legal liability for injuries associated with a Park District program. Program participants must sign a waiver of liability as part of their program registration. Be sure to check your own insurance coverage before registering for any park district program or activity.

Recreation Participant Scholarship Program
This program was established by the Park Board to assist economically disadvantaged youth and families residing within the District’s boundaries. Those who qualify for financial assistance may apply for up to $125 in scholarship program funds each season to offset the cost of registering for recreation programs. For more information, contact Cori Hedlund at 630-513-4332.

Special Accommodations
The District will not discriminate against any eligible participant on the basis of a disabling condition. To ensure a smooth inclusion, call 630-513-6200 at least two weeks in advance of a any District program/event start date. The District provides additional services for people with special needs through the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. Persons interested in attending a District meeting should notify staff at least 36 hours in advance of the meeting. If requested, a sign language interpreter can be provided for Park Board meetings or other important meetings. Minutes of Park Board meetings and other official documents can be available in an alternative format (audio tape or Braille) upon request. For more information, contact Candy Boulay at 630-513-4316.

Help For The Hearing Impaired: 1-800-526-0844
If you have a hearing impairment or know of someone who does, please take advantage of this free service. An Ameritech operator will assist callers by speaking directly to District staff after transcribing the message from the caller’s telecommunication device.

Photo and Video Policy
Photos and video of participants in programs or special events and users of District facilities or parks are used in publicizing and promoting the District. Staff does not use any identification in marketing materials. Please tell an instructor or photographer if you do not want to be photographed or videotaped.

Smoking Policy
The Park Board recognizes the health hazards associated with smoking and the use of tobacco products. Therefore, the District discourages smoking and the use of tobacco products at ALL Park District programs, events and associated activities.

Brochure Mail Delivery
The St. Charles Park District relies upon the St. Charles Post Office for mail delivery of our seasonal brochures and mailings. THE PARK DISTRICT ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAIL DELIVERY. If for some reason you do not receive a brochure and you are a Park District resident, please pick one up at the Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Avenue, or the Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second Street. Alternately, you can click here to view the current brochure.

Use Regulation Ordinances
Click here for a PDF of the full document.

Privacy Policy
The St. Charles Park District is concerned about and is committed to protecting the privacy of you - our website visitors. To maintain the privacy of your personal information in connection with all Park District online and Internet activities, staff has established a privacy policy. For more information, click here.

Employment Opportunities
The St. Charles Park District offers a variety of part-time and seasonal positions year-round. We are seeking individuals who are friendly, hardworking and dedicated to doing a good job. You must be age 16 years or older to be considered for a position. To work in park maintenance, you must be age 18 years or older. The Park District receives hundreds of applications, but there are a limited number of positions available. You will only be contacted for an interview if you are being considered for a position. If you are not hired, you may wish to become a volunteer for the Park District. For more information, click here.

Community Support
Park District sponsorship opportunities include Daddy & Daughter Dances, Mom & Son Date Night, Easter Egg Hunt, Concerts in the Park, July 4th Celebration, DJ Nights at the Pool, Farm Frolic and more. Fundraising for the St. Charles Park Foundation events are also needed. In-kind donations of all types, including gift certificates for services or goods, are accepted for a variety of events: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Friday Live!, Teen Skate Challenge, Turkey Shoot, Christmas Gala and more. Partnerships can be customized for your company and a wide range of financial contributions. For more information, contact Erika Young at 630-513-4319.

Eagle Eye Neighborhood Watch Program
The Eagle Eye Neighborhood Park Watch Program is an effort to prevent crime and vandalism to playground and play equipment, to alleviate suspicious activities in parks, and to promote community involvement.

PLEASE REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES!
Emergencies: 911
Non-Emergencies & Suspicious Activities:
630-513-4343 (Park Safety Office)

In order for this program to be most effective, it must rely on citizen participation and support. While the Park District does its best to keep a close watch on activities taking place in the parks, staff cannot be everywhere all the time. Therefore, we ask all residents to help keep an Eagle Eye on your parks. For more information or to schedule visits by Seemore the Eagle, contact Andrew Buss at 630-513-4343.