Rye Playland Pool — Attraction in City of Rye

Absolutely Disgraceful Experience – Avoid This Place, Especially with Young Kids

I had a terrible experience at the Rye swimming pool with my friend and her two young daughters (both under 2 years old). We arrived at 10:30 AM, but were made to wait under the hot sun for nearly 2 hours, finally getting into the pool area only around 12:20 PM. The entire entry process was chaotic and poorly managed.

Security checked our bags thoroughly, including a small cooler we had only packed with water and baby formula—nothing unusual or against policy, as we saw plenty of other families with coolers. Despite this, they forced us to carry everything up a long flight of stairs with two toddlers and no help, and we were not allowed to bring a stroller or anything else to make it easier.

After we had finally settled down, a male staff member (who we later learned is apparently a "manager") approached us aggressively, demanding that we remove the cooler. I politely asked him to give me a moment, as we were still catching our breath from going up and down the stairs repeatedly. He refused to listen and instead called over about 10 staff members, surrounding us and creating a completely unnecessary and humiliating scene in front of families and small children.

This same staff member started shouting, “Don’t even talk to them, I just want them out!”—loudly, publicly, and unprofessionally. I stayed calm and respectful the entire time, trying to understand why we were being treated this way. Again, many other guests had coolers, yet we were singled out.

To top it off, he called the police on us. Thankfully, the officers who responded were extremely kind and understanding, and they helped us relocate to the beach. But by then, our day was completely ruined, and the children were visibly upset and overwhelmed by the ordeal.

Some other serious issues:

Lifeguards were constantly blowing whistles for seemingly no reason, adding to the sense of disorder. The facility forces guests to exit by going down one set of stairs, only to climb up another, despite the parking lot being directly accessible from where we were. This made leaving with young children and all our bags incredibly inconvenient and unnecessarily difficult. This is what happens when you let inexperienced, power-tripping staff run a family facility. It’s clear there’s a lack of proper management and compassion, especially for families with small children.

I paid for both the beach and pool, and I got neither a relaxing day nor fair treatment. I’m also sharing a photo of the staff member who acted so inappropriately, so others can be aware before they decide to visit.

Rye Pool – do better. This was...

So this place was my family and I home away from home last year, we loved it and we went every chance we had. The staff last year became like a family and it was so enjoyable! we were so excited to return there for this season however today ruined that! The staff that are there this year are complete rude and dismissive to your complaints or concerns, they do not let you exit from the exit doors they make you go down stairs and then up another set of stairs to exit meanwhile the parking lot is right there and I have an elderly mother. The lifeguards literally blew their whistles every second as if they were still in training, and for useless things as well. I hugged my nephew in the pool and a lifeguard blew the whistle, my niece dunked and when she came up for air she stopped and stood still by the step to clear the hair from her face and they blew the whistle. It was very unnecessary and about five families left because of this issue. They were not kid friendly today and it seems as if they want to make all the families with children uncomfortable, if that’s the case they should change the rules and make it a senior citizen pool. Even the parks ranger that was there said it was completely different this year and he didn’t even feel comfortable working there, I’m telling you it’s really not worth the money or time. We spent so much money on a family of 9 today to be aggravated and leave early it was not enjoyable or relaxing. They also put ropes in the pool now to allow for people to do laps which is fine, but the lifeguards are not on the same wavelength and are not communicating, one says you can go there if no one is doing laps the next ones are throwing you out. Please don’t waste your time. I do plan to call the town of rye and upper management to place an...

I haven't been in over a decade before my return this weekend. Here is my take: There are way "too many chefs in that kitchen." I purchased our entrance band 1/2 hour before opening and I was told to start a line in front of the door. Minutes before they opened the doors after I stood there for 25+ minutes I was told I had to have my bag searched and lost my place in line. For the love of God, those lifeguards whistle at EVERYTHING. My son and his friends are swimmers standing at 5 feet and taller, not to mention the deepest the pool gets is 4 feet, but somehow, one lifeguard decided to focus on them. Then he told them they couldn't be in the deep end unless a parent was IN there with them. I WAS watching them the whole time even standing in the shallow end. I approached a female lifeguard that told me they were fine, and I in fact did NOT need to be IN with them. It was suggested they stay away from his side because it was obvious even to the other lifeguards he was being over the top with my son. Then there is the chair/lounger situation. You may NOT bring your own chair, but they are really lacking in chairs for a busy, hot weekend. People are bold enough to take your lounger if you are not lying on it. TWICE I had to confiscate my chair back even though there was a towel and duffle bag ON it. If you purchase food from the concession, which I found decent and was told it was from the Tiki Bar, it has to be eaten it in a designated area. Good luck finding a seat in that area because people who couldn't get one by the pool took up real estate at the tables. Maybe it's good on a less crowded day. Maybe they should only allow a certain number of people at the pool and direct the rest towards the beach. Either way, something has to give and I doubt we...