Foster Pool — Local services in Lakewood

This review is to respond to the entitled “Rachel A” as well as all of the salty people of lakewood requesting that the pool be exclusive to lakewood residents, and my personal review of the new updates. This is not discriminating residents, or non residents, rather an assessment of the people who think that the pool should be exclusive.

Rachel A. stated: “I loved the pool so much until more and more non Lakewood residents keep coming and ruining the pool.”

To Rachel A, Were you able to see the documentation of these non-lakewood residents allegedly “ruining” the pool, and confirm they are not in fact, residents of Lakewood? Mayor Meghan George stated in 2023: “Lakewood is a welcoming community, so we’d obviously never want to exclude people, but we have to have an appropriate margin between the resident and non-resident rate.”

Nowhere above does the mayor or mention “patron conduct” as a reason for the pools new membership requirements. This new requirement is to prevent overcrowding, and ensure safety. Nothing more.

Rachel A stated: “They yelled at three kids who were at least 16 who were running from the side of the pool and jumped into the pool. The life guards yelled at them multiple times and they kept doing it. Most kids are disrespectful and don’t listen to the lifeguards. I am tired of it.”

Rachel, If the lifeguards have already said something to the teenagers mentioned there is no need to personally involve yourself. It is the choice of the folks running the pool to enforce what they deem fit in accordance with the pool’s policy. If you have an issue with how the establishment is ran I suggest filling out a job application so you can enforce the rules yourself. It is without a doubt 100% not your business.

Rachel A. stated: “People leave their trash everywhere and the staff does not actually follow most of their rules and regulations, and they let anyone do anything basically.”

Rachel, My family and I have been avid pool patrons for several years, and we have not seen the trash you described as “everywhere” since food and drink are only permitted in a certain section of the pool, near the concessions. The countless lifeguards on duty make sure everyone is safe, and not running. It would be foolish to think a lifeguard would abandon their post to individualize a person who were perhaps running when they should be walking. Again, this is not your job to enforce. Does this bother you? Again feel free to pick up an application and make the changes you wish to see, but I strongly recommend finding a new establishment all together.

Rachel A. stated: “Yesterday there were 3 girls wearing thong bikinis”

Rachel, This pool is first and foremost for children and families. Personally deeming a person or group immodest based off your personal opinion gives some insight on who you are as a person, and the way you were raised. How a person decides to dress has no reflection on you. However lets say that these patrons were in fact wearing something immodest, not to your personal standard, but to the standards of the pool. The Lakewood pool code of conduct states: “Proper swim attire is required. Mesh shorts are not permitted. Thongs and provocative swim attire not permitted. No metal rivets or zippers on swimwear.” If these patrons were in fact wearing what you stated they would have either been asked to change, leave, or been checked at the door.

My personal opinion: The new rules are not fun, but fair, it has always been for the safety of families. I am not a lakewood resident, but I live 15 minutes from the park. The new policy did affect my family, who have been avid Foster Pool patrons for years, My wife and I used to go there often when we were teens- however there are still options for non residents to attend the pool- by purchasing a membership, or going with a lakewood resident. Lastly, The pool is surrounded on all sides by a public park, where any citizen of the US is capable of visiting. To the snooty and upset - Being uncomfortable is an occupational hazard that comes with being alive....

So the new pool itself is great. The kids that they have working there are a different story. We have been there multiple times since they opened and have had lifeguards that clearly are on different pages in the rule book. We see splashing kids which I think is fine but some days guards yell "no splashing"and one day no guards will say anything. We have been there with my girlfriends son and he wears a life vest for time being and never had an issue with that until 2 days ago was told only in shallow end . U have guards telling parents and kids during rest break that they are allowed in kid pool up to the blue arches but then 3 min later a guard walking by tell everyone to get out. Multiple days had her son hanging on shoulder to help assist swimming only to be yelled at but then every other day it's OK. These kids are a lil crazy yelling through their cones so much . During rest break we asked if adults are allowed to go down the slide and a kid netting the pool said he thinks we can. Then another day the net was down by diving board for adult swim and asked if i could use diving board and he was not sure. All in all I think they need to get everyone back in a room together and go over the rules so everyone is on same page and not confusing all the guests as to what is allowed and...

DONT SWIM HERE POOP. PEE. PUKE IN THE POOL? THEY DONT CARE, CALL A 15 MIN BREAK AND ROPE OFF THE SECTION AND LET EVERYONE BACK IN TO SWIM, DISGUSTING! NASTY!!!!!!!!! UPDATE Unless you are a resident of Lakewood, you can't pay to swim here anymore. I came here for years brought my kids, now they rudely tell you no, and although my family member lives in Lakewood, they said I would need a seperate individual Lakewood resident for myself and each of my kids. And the website describes NONE OF THIS. The website which says was updated in 2024, with an included 2025 summer rates for residents and rates for non residents. Only thing it says about residents accompany a nonresident is if you want to purchase a season pass. I will no longer support or visit Lakewood park, festivals, functions, I refuse to shop in Lakewood, I will not spend a minute even driving thru Lakewood anymore. Stop acting like your so high class Lakewood ! Your still considered a part of Cleveland Put your...