The safety of our members and staff is Roland Park Swimming Pool’s first priority. Severe weather, extreme heat, poor air quality, or other unsafe conditions may require us to delay opening, suspend activities, or close the pool.

Air Quality Policy

RPSP is an entirely outdoor facility without an indoor, filtered-air break area. Because our lifeguard staff is age 18 and younger and works extended periods outdoors, we use the following air-quality guidelines:

  • AQI 0–100: The pool may operate normally. Management will continue monitoring conditions when the air-quality forecast is elevated.
  • AQI 101 or higher: The pool will normally close or delay opening. Swim team, lessons, water aerobics, social events, and other outdoor activities will also be suspended.
  • Unsafe conditions at any AQI: Management may close the pool if visible smoke, reduced visibility, unusual odors, employee or patron symptoms, or official emergency instructions indicate that remaining open would be unsafe.

AQI refers to the U.S. Air Quality Index. RPSP will use the current local reading reported by AirNow, together with the Maryland Department of the Environment’s forecast.

Reopening

After an air-quality closure, the pool will normally reopen when:

  1. The current AQI is 100 or below for two consecutive hourly checks; and
  2. Conditions are stable or improving.

Management may delay reopening when the forecast indicates that unhealthy conditions are likely to return shortly.

How We Will Notify Members

Closures, delayed openings, and reopening notices will be communicated through:

  • Member email
  • Other normal pool communication channels, when available

Because air quality can change quickly and readings vary by location, operating decisions may change during the day. Please check for the latest RPSP update before traveling to the pool.

Watch for Symptoms

Anyone experiencing coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, headache, or significant eye or throat irritation should stop outdoor activity and move to cleaner air. Seek medical assistance when symptoms are serious or do not improve.