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Message |
    
amy langella
Citizen
Username: Langella
Post Number: 17
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 10:49 am: | 
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new to town and not sure how to get guest passes for the pool. anyone know? |
Anna
Citizen
Username: Anna
Post Number: 53
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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If you are a member, just show up at the pool and buy a book of guest passes. Last year they were $5 per pass, so a book was $25. |
Candy
Citizen
Username: Candy
Post Number: 158
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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The "book of 5" system was done away with. I know last year, I was able to purchase the guest passes (wristband) one at a time, right at the desk at the pool. They were $5 each. This makes so much more sense than buying 5 at a time. I avoided buying the books after a while, because I usually ended up with leftover passes. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8100
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 1:41 pm: |
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Can an adult resident who plays hooky from work one sweltering day buy a day pass? I'd love to join the pool, but the reality is that it isn't worth the one or two days I would use it each summer. I don't know any like-minded adults who would take me as their guest. Besides, I don't necessarily want to socialize; I'd probably like to keep my nose in a book when I wasn't in the water. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4017
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:29 pm: |
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Greenetree, I'd be happy to have you as my "guest" (for a minimal $5 fee) and leave you to your own devices to read a book and be as completely anti-social as you like! 
And, no, I don't think you can buy a day pass. Seems to me there'd be a whole lot of abusing that kind of system. We bought passes to the pool this year, at the full rate, even though we're not going to be around most of the summer. I think it's they only way they can do it and keep everything as sane as possible. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8102
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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Me&, At this point, I have 2 Fridays off this summer that are not planned (how sad is that). I may take you up on it.
Of course, it will either rain or you will be on vacation on those days.....
OK - how about a limited-use pass? They could just be made different colors and they could be used after 5p only? My friend & I were talking about how nice it would be to take a dip after work once in awhile. Anything like that?
BTW - how much is a single person pass? The day rate could be calculated so that after a certai # of day passes, it would be cheaper to buy a regular pass. Adults only. I'd even be willing to go down to TH the day I wanted to use it so that the pool folks wouldn't have to deal with proving residency, etc. Or, at TH, they could keep a log of how many times a person gets a day pass & limit it. That way, it would get rid of any temptation to "abuse" it. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2670
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:40 pm: |
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I bought a book of 5 yesterday and used one immediately. No, non-members cannot buy passes. It would totally change the economics/logistics of membership.
I am SO GLAD we have this summer resource! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8105
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 3:08 pm: |
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Yeah, well, it might change things, but I'd like the summer resource available to me, too. But I don't think that I should have to pay what would amount to $50 a pop if I go twice.
Gee. Ya don't have to sound so smug. |
lizzyr
Citizen
Username: Lizzyr
Post Number: 256
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 10:16 pm: |
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after reading this, I had to post an odd situation at at the pool yesterday. As soon as I picked up my badges a young woman with a small child in tow approached me and said "I forgot to register this year, would you mind if I could be your guest today". I said no and walked away. I later came back by the entrance and saw someone signing her in & getting her wristbands.
I didn't want to be cold hearted, but sorry, I pay alot for my membership and don't appreciate being approached at the door for such a request. I was tempted to ask for proof of residency and considered saying something to the front desk. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3529
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 10:22 pm: |
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I believe that members are RESPONSIBLE for their guests' behavior, so I don't think it is wise to allow someone don't know to come as your guest. |
Lou
Citizen
Username: Flf
Post Number: 190
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 7:51 am: |
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When you say you have to be a member to buy guest passes, you mean you have to pay the yearly membership in order to be able to buy them?
Every year, since living in Maplewood, I have signed for the pool. Except this year, I was not going to be around enough this summer to be able to use the pool every weekend. But I now regret my decision, since I could very well use it during the week days (how could I have not thought of that?). So, because I have brought the membership on previous years, does that give me the possibility of buying guest passes this year for me to still be able to join the pool for some days during the week? |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4030
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 8:55 am: |
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Lou, the answer is no.
But you may still be able to buy a membership to the pool for the summer. Have you checked with the rec department? |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 569
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 9:37 am: |
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I'm not positive, but i believe you can join the pool at any time, but you'll have to pay a full membership, even if the season is half over. (Since it just opened this past weekend, no one has really missed much.) When i inquired about membership a couple of summers ago, it was just single person or family - all or nothing. And don't go by what they tell you at the pool itself as far as the terms. When i wanted to join with my newborn, they told me i could buy a single pass, but when i called the phone # to actually do it, they said i had to pay the family rate, which seemed silly.
And greentree - many people i've spoken to pay full price at the beginning of the year (or the discounted price back in March or whenever), only to use it a handful of times over the summer. I think there are quite a few people like that, and if the pool offered discounted memberships for after 5pm, limited use, etc., they'd be out a lot of money. Same with any gym in the world. It sucks, but i see the logic.
With that said, i'm not a member of the pool and i WISH they did something like you're talking about, because i also rely on friends to bring me along as their guest. Does anyone know if members can give a guest pass/book to a friend to use when the paying member is not present? I don't think so, but i figured i'd ask. |
KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 85
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 9:57 am: |
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Greenetree, Your suggestions make sense to me. I've never felt that the membership policies addressed my potential usage--as a full-time worker I would probably go once or twice a season. In that case, the cost per usage as a season member is outrageous.
The pricing is certainly skewed towards the "traditional" family--a couple of kids and stay at home mom. Singles, couples without kids, retirees--its like our school taxes, they pay more than their share.
I do admit, however, that the pool wuold likely be overcrowded on weekends if we were able to just purchase a few passes. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2878
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 10:26 am: |
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I don't think you can use the passes without a member present (last year, I tried this). Also, the badges are not transferable! I bought a family membership for myself and my kid (husband will likely never go).
I do kind of think it would be better if the family rates varied by number of family members. Big diff btwn parent and 1 child v 2 parents and 4 children in terms of likely population at the pool at any given time. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8117
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
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I don't think that it is so much when the pool would be used but, how much. I agree that pool membership is skewed towards families with kids. I have no problem with the town being child-friendly, but I don't think that it should be childless unfriendly.
I actually think that the pool would make more money if they sold two additional products: limited use seasonal (1 adult, from 5p-close M-F) and 1-adult one full-day passes, limited to, say, 4?
I don't see how this would cost more. If the pool is open, the facilities are still open, which cost money to operate (personnel and equipment). The additional revenue would help pay for those expenses.
A gym is a different stoty. The reason that the full memberships make more money than limited is because the rate of people who pay for the full & don't use it is fairly high. The wear and tear on the equipment is lower if fewer people use it. Unused/underused memberships and equipment with lower maintenance costs translate to more profit for the owner. Hence the "greater expense" if they sell limited use memberships which generate higher utilization.
This is a community pool; the point is not to make money by selling underutilized memberships. It is a resource which should be made available as much as is reasonably possible.
In a perfect world, you could buy the one-day pass at the pool on the day of. But, I'd even be willing to spring for a book of 4 adult day passes the same way the season passes are sold.
Hell, maybe I should find a bunch of like-minded people and formally push for more access. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1528
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:33 am: |
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Actually I think it is skewed towards adults/retirees etc - there is adult swim 20 minutes out of every hour. That means my kid has acces to the pool 2/3 of the time she is there while an adult has 100% access.
I can see the value in what Greenetree is saying but probably only agree with a verylimited number of day passes. I think the afterwork m-f scenario is pretty much all access and should be a full rate membership. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5728
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
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call the pool...get contact info for the Pool Advisory Committee...speak with them about your issues and ideas. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2880
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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I think Hank's suggestion is a good one. It may well be that town demographics have changed in such a way that they really should have some reasonable options for adults with wanting ltd use.
eliz, how do they define adult? 18 and over? I do see your point, and my kid has complained of that, too. |
KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 86
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:13 pm: |
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I think this is a great time to have this discussion about limited passes or membership that is less than 100%. When we first moved to Maplewood, pool membership was oversubscribed and I got the impression you needed to sign up right away or you would be on a waiting list. I never tried because it seemed too expensive for our limited potential use.
In recent years I get the impression that this is no longer the case (i.e., you can still join well into the season--albeit at the same price.) I believe this relates to the fact that today there are more two income families. In fact, the pool should be seeking ways to increase attendance. I have no beef with designing a membership option that gives limited access, but it should reflect the reality that many non-joiners are working. Giving Maplewood residents the option to buy X-days of passes or access to the pool for 2 hours after work might actually increase the $$$ available to support the pool.
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MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4037
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:28 pm: |
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I agree with everything everyone is saying, and that everyone should have the opportunity to have access to the pool. However, I think the issue is more about having the manpower and organizational skills it would take, and which are not currently present, to actually implement the kind of programs you're talking about.
It's been my experience that they really don't check the whole badge thing to begin with, so I doubt they'd be capable of keeping track of who was allowed to be there all day and who was only allowed after 5! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8129
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:35 pm: |
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how do they define adult?
Anyone too old to play Marco Polo?
When I was a kid, the Adult Swim was 16+. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 572
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:50 pm: |
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Good to know that there's a pool advisory committee. Because when i tried to express my frustrations about having to pay a full family rate to sit on the grass for an hour or so a day holding a 10 lb baby, the woman on the other end was less than interested in hearing my logic. It pretty much seemed like the trail stopped cold right then and there. |
Carol Anne
Citizen
Username: Carol_anne
Post Number: 25
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 12:56 pm: |
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Barge from a West Orange Resident
Just joined our pool this year, so I don't know all the ins and outs, but the West Orange pool does offer a weekend only membership option. This makes sense to me since so many families have 2 parents working and could only use it on the weekend (as well as all the people with no kids who work traditional hours). I guess it wouldn't help with the swimm after work, but at least you could use the pool some. They also charge based on the number of kids in the family, so I family of six pays more for membership than a family of 4.
The pool also has a section where kids are not allowed, so I don't think the annoying 20 minutes/hour out of the pool that I remember as a child happens (haven't actually been this year as the pool has only been open on weekends since memorial day. It doesn't open full time until next week)
Forgive me if no one cares, just thought it was interesting how different town pools operate.
Carol Anne |
canismajor
Citizen
Username: Canismajor
Post Number: 425
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 1:04 pm: |
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I use the pool only on the weekends. Anyone out there who wants to borrow my badge during the week can PL me and we can work something out. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 4124
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 6:33 pm: |
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Lizzyr -- I don't get why you said no? What does "I pay alot for my membership and don't appreciate being approached at the door for such a request." mean? Why would it really matter if they were a resident? Someone's badge wasn't there Sunday and a friend in line got the "friend-in-need" a pass.
Your post sounded really snooty and full of gross "entitlement". |
calypso
Citizen
Username: Calypso
Post Number: 29
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 9:54 pm: |
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I do notice that they don't actually check passes 99.9% of the time, especially for people who waltz in without hesitation. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11895
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
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A couple of points,
The pool is, technically, a municipal utility and is self supporting. The pool doesn't receive tax funding.
When we moved here there was a three or four year wait for a membership and there were no guest passes, which isn't the case anymore. A lot of this is changing demographics. There are a lot more two income families than there were in 1980 here in town and as pointed out above people don't want to spend the money for limited use or they belong to a private club or have a pool in their yard.
The pool has to bring in a certain amount of revenue to stay in business, pay the bonds, etc.
I wouldn't argue that the pool committee shouldn't look into alternative membership arrangements, but it should be to either increase revenue or keep revenue neutral.
I imagine prices have gone up since we were members. However, I think the fee is still under $200 a year? Even if you use the pool only once or twice a month it would seem to be a pretty small price to pay.
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Albatross
Citizen
Username: Albatross
Post Number: 864
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 10:28 am: |
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A warning RE: loaning your badges to other people: The badge will be confiscated if it is discovered.
Calypso: a lot of the people who walk straight in are regulars who are known by sight, or else have badges in evidence on a pool bag.
A final FYI: if you're calling to make suggestions on the badge policy, call the Maplewood Recreation Department at (973) 763-4202; don't call the pool. The desk staff can't change the policy. |
Candy
Citizen
Username: Candy
Post Number: 159
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 11:09 am: |
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I'm with Bob K on the history of the pool waiting list. Yes, demographics etc have played a big part on membership over the years. There used to be a part time membership, but since there is no longer a waiting list, that's been done away with. Remember the bathing caps??? And having to take off shoes and street clothes before entering the upper deck??
Last year, I decided to join as a single membership and just bring my teenager and hubby as guests. Works much better for us, and less costly than family membership. If you and your family really enjoy the pool, then the fees are quite reasonable. It was a Godsend many hot days, and well worth the cost for the kids to have fun, and the parents too.
As far as the "adult swim" for 20 minutes....When my kids were little they too moaned and groaned when they had to get out of the water. I looked at it as a few minutes for their ears to drain, use the bathrooms, have a snack, and sit in the shade for a bit. Now that I'm a tad older, I think adult swim is the best part of the pool! There is nothing more aggrevating than being kicked, splashed, pushed, and subjected to marco polo being screamed in your ears, while you are trying to cool off for just a few minutes.
Hurrah for the pool and Staff!! |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3535
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 11:25 am: |
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Family rate is now $285 per season. Still a bargain compared to other town pools I've heard about in the region. (Other than SO, but they have a different situation.)
I've thought about Candy's approach (buy single membership and bring others in family as guests) as it would probably save us a lot of money, but haven't done so. It would be a bit clumsy when the kids go with friends, because then the friends would have to hassle with getting their guest passes. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 579
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 11:41 am: |
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Okay, i just called the Rec Dept at the number Albatross posted and spoke to a very nice gentleman named Roger Brauchli. He explained that historically (as of 40 years ago when the pool opened), membership each year has been limited to 8,000 people, although how they arrived at that number is unclear because it predates him. It's also not an exact science, because i'm not sure they count the exact number of people in a family membership or just do an average. Regardless, each year, they come within a few hundred of hitting their max, so getting people to the pool doesn't sound like it's an issue.
BUT... he was receptive to hearing everyone's thoughts, and said it's not out of the question for changes in the membership policy to be made (not for this season, but perhaps for next), so long as it still made financial sense for the pool. As Bob K mentioned, they don't receive tax funding, so any flexibility they offer can't be at the expense of revenue generation.
Roger then gave me the name and address of the chairperson of the Pool Advisory Committee and suggested i mail her a letter (cc'ing him) with a few of our suggestions. In the interest of not innundating her with with more than she can handle (she does this on a volunteer basis), i'll continue along that path, and report back here if/when i make additional progress.
In the meantime, if everyone wants to continue discussions here as to how they would forsee a new membership tier being advantageous for them, feel free. Even if she's not internet savvy, i can always print out the thread to show her as food for thought. Sound good? |
Morrisa da Silva
Citizen
Username: Mod
Post Number: 475
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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Re: guest passes, keep in mind only a limited number are allowed to be used on any given day. Last year my sister and her fiance came out for a day at the pool and we couldn't get in.
On high occupancy days (weekends) you too could be shut out if you are planning to use guest passes. |
Onarpos
Citizen
Username: Onarpos
Post Number: 38
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
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We can also really only go on the weekends but felt like it was worth the cost. We went to the pool on Sunday and it was PACKED. Packed to the point where it wasn't even really that fun so we left pretty quickly.
I think I'd be bummed if I paid a lot for the season was turned away at the door. We have been looking forward to using the pool for several months! Maybe that has some bearing on their membership policy? |
KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 87
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 5:44 pm: |
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Papayagirl, Thanks for calling and volunteering to write to the chairperson.
Interestingly I was surprised to find NO information about the pool on the Maplewood township website. I know it is not funded by tax dollars, but since the Rec department has some oversight, it seems odd not to have information about the pool in a logical place on the Township website.
I think the West Orange approach outlined above has many merits. As Bob K noted, the pool does need to be self-supporting, so it is possible that some change will create uncertaintly about the funding. But I also think that finding several new ways to broaden access to the pool will be beneficial.
Another suggestion is a "trial" membership. I think many of us that fall somewhere between being a "pool" person and a "non-pool" person would like the opportunity to judge whether we want to join--and, what our usage might be. I.e., would we want access on a full-time basis--or a more limited basis. Earlier this year I began swimming at the Connection in Summit. They offer a "trial" membership that I took advantage of and I now swim there regularly. I doubt that if I had to sign up for a full-year membership without the trial that I would have even considered joining. That is pretty much how I feel about the Maplewood pool. I don't enjoy baking in the hot sun so that part of the membership is not attractive to me--I would, though, like to test whether I enjoyed using the pool for lap swimming.
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Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 381
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 6:36 pm: |
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I do agree that the pool membership is a bargain. My previous town (in Union County) the cost was much more for the community pool PLUS you had to pay a bond to join (payable over 3 years). |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3536
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 7:39 pm: |
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Onarpos - It will settle down and not be that bad most of the summer. Combine the effect of it being opening weekend (while school is still in session and most folks haven't left on vacation yet) with beautiful hot sunny weather and you get about the most crowded conditions possible. There will be plenty of weekends later on that won't be nearly so bad. |
mantram
Citizen
Username: Mantram
Post Number: 245
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 10:52 pm: |
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*Thread Drift Warning*
When I was at the pool yesterday evening to sign up my daughter for swim lessons I saw an older Asian woman (who was very agitated) speaking to one of the pool staff. She claimed that the pink flowering plants in the large planters around the pool have highly poisonous leaves that could easily kill a child if eaten! The staffer, a teenager heard her out, but then dismissed her concerns saying that he was sure the town would not put poisonous plants around kids.
But now I am worried that this is true. Does anyone know what these plants are and if we know for sure that the leaves are harmless?
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hismom
Citizen
Username: Hismom
Post Number: 465
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 6:47 am: |
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Mantram - I'm no gardening expert, but those pink flowering plants do look like oleanders which are toxic and I've told my kids to stay far away .(I'm not too worried since they are older, now but when they were littler and in the "everything goes in the mouth phases, I was.) |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4051
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 7:23 am: |
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I would think, if kids are young enough to be in the "everything goes in the mouth" phase, they would also be young enough for the "mommy and/or daddy watch them like a hawk while they're around all that water" phase as well. Can't imagine how they would have the opportunity to make it to the upper deck and put the flowers in their mouth. |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 382
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 8:25 am: |
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They are oleanders. http://oleander.org/toxic.html |
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 274
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 8:39 am: |
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Yes, I also believe they are oleanders. Come to think of it, the leaves are poisonous. Kill children? That would depend on the amount of leaves and size of child, I think. But, for heaven's sake, why in the world would anyone be concerned about their children eating the leaves of those particular plants at the pool?! I know kids put things in their mouths but wouldn't someone notice that child at that age nibbling leaves in a high-traffic area on the pool deck? Someone like, I don't know, her parents!!!
That is it! I'm going to make an equally silly stand in favor of the flowers. I always thought they were a good choice for the spot -- colorful and need little water. I had thought they were a bit exotic because my mother nursed one for years on our deck, but while in Spain we saw tons of them alongside the highways like black-eyed susans in Maryland.
Let's look at risks realistically. Key safety issue at the pool? Drowning, folks. Running and falling down. Turning out of the parking lot onto Boyden.
Eating the oleanders?
I know, maybe everyone will be happier if the pool posts a sign that says "Caution: Don't eat the leaves"
Sorry, rant over. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8169
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
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Juju- maybe the problem could be addressed by asking the concession stand to cook faster. I'm sure that the hoards of children grazing in the planters are turning to instinct to fill their hungry little bellies.
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