3 water safety resources to help keep your family safe
By Bridget Russell, Aquatics Supervisor
As we approach summer, it is vital to keep your family safe when enjoying water-related activities. Drowning is the country’s fifth-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths, and about one in five who die from drowning are 14 years old or younger.
As Water Safety Month comes to a close, the City of College Station’s Aquatics Division reminds you to be careful around swimming pools, ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Here are a few resources to help keep your family safe this season:
- American Red Cross has developed a free, 20-minute online training program called “Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers.” The ARC’s website also offers helpful tips for emergencies and includes important swimming guidelines.
- Colin’s Hope is a drowning prevention non-profit organization that provides resources, information, and fundraising to help prevent drowning deaths. Its website offers prevention tips, safety resources, and even a quiz to test your knowledge.
- Pool Safely is a national public education campaign launched by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to reduce childhood drownings, submersion injuries, and entrapments. Its website offers essential information about safety.
With families spending more time at home, the risk of drowning has increased. It’s crucial to integrate water safety rules into your family’s daily routine.
Stay safe and have a great summer!
About the Blogger
Bridget Russell has been with the City of College Station since 2012 and has served as the aquatics supervisor since 2017. She was a lifeguard at Texas A&M for almost three years after serving as an administrative clerk for the U.S. Marine Corps from 2005-11. Bridget earned bachelor’s (2011) and master’s (2012) degrees in sport management from A&M.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Parks & Recreation: What’s open and what’s not?
EDITOR’S NOTE: The post was updated on Friday, May 22, to reflect that park water fountains will be on June 1.
By Kelly Kelbly, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director
As Gov. Greg Abbott continues his plans to open Texas, the College Station Parks and Recreation Department has been making plans for reopening spaces, facilities, and programs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We base our discussions on federal, state, and local guidance to prioritize public health and safety.
Regrettably, budget reductions resulting from a significant decline in sales tax revenue are also a factor. Remember also that phased reopenings aren’t an immediate return to normal operations. They include necessary and appropriate measures to reduce the risks of community transmission.
Here’s a look at our current situation, including some answers to your most frequent questions.
Open Facilities
- Basketball courts
- Community and neighborhood parks (Directory)
- Disc golf courses
- Dog parks
- Larry J. Ringer Library
- Lick Creek Park
- G. Hysmith Skate Park
- Pavilions and shelters
- Playgrounds (use is discouraged)
- Sand volleyball courts
- Stephen C. Beachy Central Park office
- Tennis courts
Facility Reopening Schedule
- Athletic Fields – June 1 for practices; June 15 for tournaments
- Lick Creek Nature Center office and restrooms – June 1 (open Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 1-6 p.m.)
- Park restrooms and water fountains – June 1
- Veterans Park & Athletic Complex – May 23
Remaining Facility Closures
- Adamson Lagoon
- Cindy Hallaran Pool
- Fun For All Playground and splash pad
- Lincoln Recreation Center
- Meyer Senior & Community Center
- Southwood Community Center
- W.A. Tarrow splash pad
Canceled Summer Programs
- Tsunami Swim Team
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
- Water Safety Instructor Certification
- Swim Lessons
- 5V5 Basketball League
- Summer Youth Basketball
- Summer Softball & Kickball Leagues
- Starlight Music Series
- Challenger Bowling
- Water Aerobics
- Mini Summer Camps
- College Station Senior Games (Sept. 25-27)
For your convenience, here are some answers to your most frequently asked questions:
Are playgrounds open?
Yes, but their use is discouraged. Citizens should stay 6 feet away from anyone who doesn’t live with them and follow other CDC guidelines.
Is Lick Creek Park open?
Yes, the trails are open. The office and restrooms will open on June 1. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m-5 p.m., and Sunday from 1-6 p.m.
Is Veterans Park & Athletic Complex open?
The park will open on May 23. The restrooms and athletic fields open on June 1.
When will the pools and splash pads open?
Cindy Hallaran Pool will remain closed for the 2020 season due to budgetary constraints. Adamson Lagoon is closed due to strict CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, sanitization, and staffing requirements. Depending on protocols and governor’s orders, Adamson could open July 6. We’ll decide at the end of June. Splash pads will open when allowed by the governor.
Will you have swimming lessons this year?
No, if we open Adamson in July, staff will focus on proper cleaning and public swimming.
When will the Lincoln Recreation Center’s full-day summer camp open?
We canceled Session 1 due to strict CDC guidelines regarding group sizes, activity restrictions, social distancing, sanitization, and staffing requirements. Depending on protocols and governor’s orders, we might offer session 2 beginning July 6. We’ll decide at the end of June.
When will the Summer Parks Guide be published?
The summer guide will not be published. We are committed to providing updated information through our website.
Who will enforce minimum health protocols for non-city-sponsored youth sports and tournaments?
User groups and tournament organizers are responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing minimum health protocols for their events at our facilities. The city is responsible for sanitizing restrooms, trash cans, and fields.
When will senior adult programming resume?
Senior programming won’t resume until the fall. People 65 years and older and those who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are encouraged to stay home as much as possible.
Are dog parks open?
Yes, Barracks, Steeplechase, and University Park are open.
Can you fish at College Station ponds?
Yes, you can fish at Brothers Pond, Cy Miller, John Crompton, and Stephen C. Beachy Central Park ponds. You must have a freshwater fishing stamp if you’re 17 or older. For information on pond stocking, harvest regulations, and license requirements, go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.
Are cemeteries open?
Yes, the Aggie Field of Honor and the College Station Cemetery are open for visitation. The hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to sunset, and on Sunday from 6 a.m. to sunset.
We understand the vital role our department plays in our community’s quality of life, especially during these challenging times. We are faithfully working to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities while responsibly addressing the COVID-19 outbreak.
For more information, contact us at 979-764-3486 or parks@cstx.gov.
About the Blogger
Assistant Director Kelly Kelbly is in her 19th year with the College Station Parks & Recreation Department. A native of Gilmer, Kelly is a 1998 graduate of Texas A&M.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Podcast: Bridget Russell, College Station’s Pool Shark
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
May is Water Safety Month, which obviously highlights the importance of knowing how to swim and how to watch family and friends when at the lake or at the pool.
In this podcast, College Station Pools Supervisor Bridget Russell talks about the challenges she and her staff face, how they’re not to be considered babysitters, and how you can stay safe this summer.
Total run time: 26:01
- 00:00 — Show open
- 01:52 — About Adamson Lagoon
- 02:53 — About Bridget
- 04:26 — A pool supervisor does…everything.
- 05:53 — How tough is it to get teens to be lifeguards?
- 07:30 — Why is Water Safety Month so important?
- 08:49 — Bridget does lakes and pools WAY different than the rest of us.
- 09:48 — How people enjoy water has changed: “Flat water” is out.
- 11:05 — About CS’s two OTHER pools (Hallaran, Thomas)
- 13:20 — Habits of parents are different now
- 14:54 — We are NOT babysitters!
- 16:33 — Teaching adults to swim, too.
- 18:22 — CS Baby Boomers still love the water
- 19:40 — Resources for keeping your family safe in and around the water
- 20:50 — Weird things at the pool (Spoiler alert: POOP)
- 22:52 — Final thoughts + upcoming events and essential tips.
About the Blogger
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his ninth year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
Podcast: Heart of local aquatics moves on after 30 years
By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director
This edition of the podcast is one where our guest is being interviewed for the very first time — but we’re actually saying goodbye.
Vera Solis served as College Station’s pools supervisor for 30 years. In this interview — recorded on her next to last day with the city — Vera talked about how she approached the profession, her legacy, where College Station could use another pool, and what her next adventure is all about.
Run time: 23:00
- 00:00 – Opening comments.
- 00:40 – Her start with College Station and in the aquatics industry.
- 02:26 – Water activities were part of her own childhood.
- 03:40 – What College Station Aquatics looked like in the mid-1980s.
- 05:40 – How did you set out to change things?
- 08:20 – Any changes in how you do what you do?
- 09:50 – Will we always have public pools?
- 12:20 – About the safety of College Station pools.
- 14:00 – Proudest moments from the past 30 years.
- 16:00 – Other highlights.
- 16:50 – What did you NOT accomplish that you hope the next person does? (spoiler: establish another pool…)
- 17:50 – What else would be nice? (yet another spoiler: water park)
- 19:35 – What’s your legacy?
- 20:15 – You’re now going to do what?
- 21:30 – Final thoughts.
Click below to listen. If Soundcloud doesn’t play in your older version of Internet Explorer, click here to hear to the audio file from your system.
Jay Socol (@jaysocol) is in his eighth year as College Station’s public communications director. A 1991 graduate of Texas A&M. Jay has also been communications director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, public information officer for the City of Bryan, and news director at several Bryan-College Station area radio stations. A native of Breckenridge, he also serves as president of the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
What could be more rewarding than being a life saver?
By Vera Solis, Aquatics Supervisor
For many of us, summers are a time to swim and enjoy the water. For me, it’s about making sure our local pools are safe places for our residents, visitors, and their families to relax and have fun.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 people – including two children – drown every day. For every child who drowns, five more are taken to emergency rooms for related injuries. With drowning being among the leading causes of preventable death, knowing how to swim is imperative.
At College Station’s municipal pools, your safety is in the capable hands of our trained lifeguards.
More than a job (more…)
