Rules & Expectations

To help ensure you have a safe and positive experience at the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Pool, all visitors are expected to follow the rules outlined on this page and posted onsite. Failure to follow the rules or staff instructions may result in a person's removal from the pool facility. Repeated violations may lead to a person's seasonal suspension. See the City of Madison Goodman Pool Behavior Policy for more information. Management reserves the right to review, change, and establish rules, as needed.

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What to Know Before Your Visit

Review the City of Madison Goodman Pool Behavior Policy
Limited pre-packaged concessions are available. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted.
Food & beverages are allowed in the cabana area only, except for water.
Swim diapers are required for those who are not toilet trained.
EMERGENCY ACCESS: The circular drive and fire lane at the south parking lot are closed to all motor vehicles to allow for emergency access. No stopping, standing or idling vehicles is allowed and violators may be subject to a citation.
All swimmers aged 12 years and younger will be required to pass a swim test to use the diving board or swim in the deep end of the lap pool. See Swim Test for more information.
All visitors are expected to behave appropriately or will be subject to suspension outlined in the City of Madison Goodman Pool Behavior Policy.
Children 10 and under must be actively supervised and watched within arm’s reach by a caregiver aged 16 or older.
Sunday Night Swim: Groups up to 6 may enjoy the pool for $15 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Sunday evenings.

IMPORTANT: Failure to follow the rules or listen to staff will result in your removal from the pool facility. Repeated offenses will not be tolerated and you could be suspended from visiting the Pool for the season. See City of Madison Goodman Pool Behavior Policy for more information.

General Rules

Respect all guests and staff members.
No derogative, racial, cursing or otherwise inappropriate language toward another guest or staff member.
Fighting, pretend fighting and/or roughhousing are not allowed.
Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty.
Obey lifeguard instructions at all times.
Food & beverages are allowed in the cabana area only, except for water.
Coolers are allowed in the cabana area only.
Diving is permitted in the diving well only.
Do not enter the pool area if you have an open cut or communicable disease.
Inflatables, such as inner tubes, water wings, and swimsuits with built-in flotation, are not allowed.
Children under 10 must be actively supervised and watched by a caregiver aged 16 or older.
Swim diapers are required for those who are not toilet-trained. Diaper changing on the pool deck is prohibited.
No smoking, vaping or electronic smoking devices are permitted.
Alcohol is not permitted.
Full-faced swimming masks are not allowed.
Spitting is not allowed.
Glass containers of any kind are not permitted.
The City of Madison is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Leave no trace and put litter in its place.
Patrons arriving by car: parking is allowed in marked stalls only. No stopping, standing or idling in the circle drive or fire lane in the south parking lot.
Shower before entering the pool and after the use of toilet facilities.
Animals are prohibited in the pool facility.
No running, hanging on ropes, going over ropes, or being on other persons shoulders.
Items being thrown must be soft and squishy.
Must stay on the north side of the black line separating the dive well from the shallow lap lanes.
Kickboards, pool noodles and torpedoes are not allowed during open recreation swim.

Lifejacket Rules

Only United States Coast Guard-approved lifejackets are allowed.
A limited supply of free lifejackets are available for use while at the pool.
- See Admissions staff to check out a lifejacket.
Lifejackets are not permitted in the deep water or on slides.
Children wearing a lifejacket must be supervised and within arm's reach of a caregiver aged 16 or older.
Please choose a lifejacket that is appropriately sized, see an attendant or lifeguard for assistance.

Slide Rules

All riders must be at least 42" tall.
Maximum rider weight is 300 pounds.
Warning: Water depth is 3 feet.
All riders must ride feet first while lying on their back with arms crossed across their chest. Do not go down the slide head first or on your stomach.
Riders must enter the slide in a sitting position.
Follow the instructions of the attendant.
Do not propel yourself into the ride.
Only one rider at a time. No trains or chains of riders are permitted.
No tubes, mats, or lifejackets are permitted on the waterslides.
No cutoff jeans or swimwear with excessively exposed zippers, buckles, rivets or metal ornamentation; only approved swimwear allowed.
Riders must be in good health. Elderly persons, those suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy, or persons using prescription medication should consult their physicians before using this ride. Individuals with medical conditions including, but not limited to, heart conditions, or back problems should not use the ride.
Do not use the slide while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Goggles are not allowed on the slide.
Follow any rule required by the manufacturer or the attraction.
Riders assume all risk of injury due to misuse of this slide or failure to follow these rules.
*WARNING: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH*

Diving Board Rules

Only one person is allowed on the diving board at a time.
Only one bounce is allowed.
No personal flotation devices, goggles, or flippers are allowed on the diving board.
You must wait on the ground until the person in front of you goes off.
You must wait until the previous person gets to the side or ladder before going off.
Jump straight off the diving board.
No sitting on the diving board.
No throwing or catching items while jumping off the diving board.
No trains or chains are permitted.

Pool Closing Policy

All posted hours are subject to change and the pool may close under the following circumstances:

If the air temperature is below 69° at opening or low attendance.
If rain prevents the lifeguards from seeing the bottom of the pool.
If there has been rain, thunder or lightning for a period of one hour and the storm is projected to continue.
The Pool cannot meet the state codes for the safety, maintenance and operation of pools and water attractions.
By Public Health Emergency Order.
Mechanical breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances.

Goodman Pool Behavior Policy

City of Madison Goodman Pool Behavior Policy

Pursuant to the authority granted to it under Wis. Stat. Statute 27.08(2)(a), the City of Madison Board of Parks Commissioners has established the City of Madison Parks Behavioral Policy to ensure that City parks, including the Goodman Pool facility, are safe, inclusive, welcoming and available for everyone to enjoy. As applied to the Goodman Pool facility, persons using the Pool must behave in a responsible way, respect the rights and dignity of others, listen to the lifeguards and other Pool staff, and abide by the facility rules. When behavior issues occur at the Pool, staff will strive to educate individuals about the applicable rules and procedures before beginning the suspension process. Minor violations may result in asking patrons to leave the facility for the day. Repeated violations or major violations may result in suspension from the Goodman Pool for a designated amount of time outlined below. Membership or scholarship privileges could be revoked, and law enforcement may be notified.

Inappropriate Behaviors and Suspension Levels

Level 1 examples of offenses resulting in up to 5-day suspension:

Swearing, roasting, verbal harassment, intimidation by words, gestures, or body language
Creating verbal disturbance
Influencing or assisting others engaging in disruptive behavior
Failure to follow or listen to staff directions
Evading communication or disciplinary action
Play fighting (including splashing with closed fist)
Consuming food and drink outside of the cabana area
Repeated violations of Goodman Pool Rules

Level 2 examples of offenses resulting in up to 10-day suspension:

Use of tobacco products, vaping, or consuming alcoholic beverages
Use of racial slurs or inappropriate derogatory remarks
Making, transmitting, or recording others without consent
Making, transmitting, or recording inappropriate behavior
Engaging in behavior utilizing technology that makes patrons or staff feel uncomfortable

Level 3 examples of offenses resulting in up to 15-day suspension and or up to the end of season suspension:

Trespassing by entering or remaining in the Goodman Pool premises after having been notified by an authorized individual not to do so, and entering or remaining inside Goodman Pool during the period in which an individual has been suspended from the premises.
Use of or making threatening remarks towards staff
Fighting or physical contact with another person
Possession of a weapon of any kind
Possessing, selling, distributing, or consuming of any alcoholic beverage and/or controlled substance
Any activity/behavior that is against the law
Any activity/ behavior that puts the safety of others at risk
Sexual contact including explicit conversations, kissing, or inappropriate touching

Swim Test

Persons ages 12 years or younger are required to take a swim test to enter the deep end of the pool or use the diving board. The swim test is administered by a lifeguard and includes the following: jumping off the side of the pool into the deep water, swimming out 15 yards and back, followed by treading water for one minute before exiting the pool. Upon successfully completing the swim test, swimmers are given a special wristband for the day and their name is logged. When returning to the pool another day, please provide your name to the admissions staff to receive your wristband for the day. Swimmers need to only successfully complete the swim test once per season.