Beach, pool open for season

People seeking relief from the hot weather will be able to cool off at the Waterworks Park beach and the O.B. Nelson Park municipal pool.

The beach at Waterworks Park Reservoir No. 1, also known as Bonnifield Lake, opened for the season Thursday afternoon and the outdoor pool is set to open Monday afternoon, announced Derik Wulfekuhle, Fairfield Park and Recreation director.

The beach is open from dawn to dusk daily. It is ?swim-at-your-own-risk? because no lifeguards are on duty, but rules swimmers must follow are posted on a sign, said Wulfekuhle.

Swimming within the buoys is free, but anyone 18 years old or older who wants to use the swim lanes outside the buoys must pass a test and pay a fee.

For the test, Christy Leazer, who oversees the park and rec aquatic activities, explained a swimmer must swim 300 yards and tread water.

If the swimmer passes, he must sign a waiver and pay $20 for a swim bracelet that he must wear when he is outside the buoys at the beach, said Wulfekuhle, adding that the $20 fee is used toward the upkeep of the beach.

Wulfekuhle said anyone who would like to take the test is welcome to walk in to the Roosevelt Aquatic Center, although appointments are preferred and can be made be calling 472-7088.

Frank Wintroub, a member of the Fairfield City Council Reservoir Committee, along with volunteers Jack Engstrom and Ken Caldwell installed ropes and floats at the beach in preparation for its opening.

Wintroub said the water is tested every week at a state water laboratory for quality.

The outdoor pool at O.B. Nelson Park is opening Monday, although ?hours will be weird the next two weeks because my lifeguards are still in school,? said Leazer.

The pool will be open from 1-5 p.m. Monday, then 4-7 p.m. Tuesday through June 4.

The pool will not open the weekend of June 5-6 because many of the lifeguards and community members will be involved in the Fairfield High School graduation ceremony and graduation parties, continued Leazer, but it will re-open from 4-7 p.m. June 7-11.

Then, after the Fairfield school district?s last day of classes June 11, the pool will have regular hours: 1-5 p.m. Monday through Sunday; and 6-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Admission to the outdoor pool is $4 during the day and $3 in the evenings, although 15-punch pass cards, individual passes and family passes are available.

For the complete article, see the Friday, May 28, 2010, printed edition of the Fairfield Ledger.