Cottontail Rules and Regulations

OPERATING HOURS

*All hours are subject to change based on conditions

EARLY OPENING WEEKEND

Saturday, May 16, 2026: 12:00PM - 6:00PM
Sunday, May 17, 2026: 12:00PM - 6:00PM

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Saturday, May 23, 2026 - Monday, May 26: 11:00AM - 8:00PM

WHILE FCPS SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION MAY 26, 2026 - JUNE 16, 2026   

Monday thru Friday: 4:00PM - 8:00PM
Saturday: 11:00AM - 9:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM - 8:00PM

SUMMER HOURS JUNE 17, 2026 - AUGUST 23, 2026

Monday thru Saturday: 11:00AM - 9:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM - 8:00PM 

WHILE FCPS SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION AUGUST 24, 2026 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2026   

Monday thru Friday: 4:00PM - 8:00PM
Saturday: 11:00AM - 9:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM - 8:00PM
Labor Day, Monday September 7, 2026: 11:00AM - 6:00PM

BONUS WEEKEND

Saturday September 12, 2026: 12:00PM - 6:00PM
Sunday September 13, 2026: 12:00PM - 6:00PM

• The Board of Directors reserves the right to extend, add or reduce operating hours.

• No person(s) shall use the pool outside of operating hours without a lifeguard on duty.

• The swimming pool is reserved for adults only 10 minutes each hour during open swim. Lifeguards will clear the pool for this period of time. After 6:00 p.m., this rule may be suspended at the discretion of the Manager on Duty.
  

• Guests are not permitted during Early Opening Weekend

ADMITTANCE

• Cottontail Swim and Racquet Club is a private recreation club. Admission is limited to active Members in good standing and their guests during operating hours.

• No refunds will be given on membership dues or guest fees.

• Each membership is limited to one household. The household shall include the head of the household, his/her spouse, their parents, children, and other persons permanently under their supervision or care, provided such persons reside with the head of household.
  

• One nanny or babysitter, sixteen (16) years or older, may be designated as part of the Member’s household in the online Membership database. A nanny or babysitter may only use the Cottontail facilities while acting as a caretaker, unless he or she resides with the Member

• It is the Members’ responsibility to ensure their accounts are paid in full to remain active.

• Members must enter through the bathhouse entrance and sign in at the front desk.

• Every Member must have a current photo on file.

• The facility, including the parking lot, is locked and off limits outside of operating hours. No cars may be parked in the parking lot overnight.

• No one under the influence of drugs or alcohol is allowed on Cottontail’s premises. 

• Groups totaling more than twenty (20) Members and guests are considered a Private Party and require special permission.  (See Private Parties.) Groups less than twenty (20) Members and guests masquerading as smaller groups will be limited at the discretion of the Manager on Duty.

GUEST INFORMATION

• Members must always accompany their guests while at the pool.

• Each family owning a Regular Membership will be issued ten (10) free guest passes for the current season.

• Guest passes are available for purchase for $5.00 per guest. A guest pass is required for all guests one (1) year and older regardless of whether they intend to swim or not. Children under one (1) year of age are free.

• Guest fees are non-refundable.

• Guests thirteen (13) years of age or younger must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

• Active members may bring no more than six (6) guests on any given day.

• Groups totaling more than twenty (20) members and guests are considered a Social Event and require special permission. (See Private Parties.) Groups less than twenty (20) members and guests masquerading as smaller groups will be limited at the discretion of the Manager on Duty.

• During the course of the pool season, the admission of guests may be limited at the discretion of the Manager on Duty.
  

• While members are welcome to bring guests, the rights of active members take precedence over the rights of members to bring guests.

• Guests are restricted from admittance on Bonus Days. From time to time, the Board of Directors may further restrict the admittance of guests based on capacity and special events.

AGE AND SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS

• Children under the age of ten (10) must always be accompanied and supervised by an adult member or one designated nanny or babysitter, sixteen (16) years or older (See Admittance). Siblings under sixteen (16) years old are NOT considered babysitters.

• Member children ages ten to thirteen (10-13) years of age, without an adult supervisor, must pass the basic swim test given by the Manager on Duty, which consists of both: swimming 25 meters freestyle with breathing and tread water for one (1) minute. The test results will be recorded in the Membership system. Swim tests may be conducted as often as deemed necessary by the Lifeguards on duty and do not carry over from previous seasons.

• Children under the age of thirteen (13) must be accompanied by an adult after 6:00 p.m.

• During break times, all children under the age of sixteen (16) must exit the pool.

• The Wading Pool (a.k.a. “baby pool") is limited to children ages six (6) years and under. They must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. There is no lifeguard on duty in the Wading Pool area.

• Children of any age may swim in water over their shoulders provided they first pass the basic swimming test given by a Lifeguard on Duty which consists of both: swimming 25 meters freestyle with breathing and tread water for one (1) minute. Swim tests may be conducted as often as deemed necessary by the Lifeguards on duty and do not carry over from previous seasons.

• Small children using flotation devices for safety must be in arm’s reach of a supervising adult at all times and are not permitted in the diving well

MANAGER’S AUTHORITY

• The Manager on Duty shall have the final and conclusive authority to interpret and enforce all pool Rules and Regulations relating to the health and safety of all patrons on site.

• Authority includes, but is not limited to, denying admission to or ejecting any persons who fail to observe the Rules and Regulations.

• A Member who disagrees with the Manager’s decision may forward their concern in writing to the Board of Directors for consideration. The Member is expected to immediately comply with the Manager’s decision on site. Failure to comply may result in suspension of membership and/or the police may be called to provide assistance in removing the individual(s).

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

• All swimmers must shower with warm water and soap before entering the pool and after using the toilet.

• Spitting, blowing one's nose, spouting water, urinating, etc., into the pool is prohibited.

• Pool users must wash their feet when returning to the pool deck from any of the areas outside the pool deck. Foot showers are conveniently located at all entrances to the pool area.

• Any persons who are not toilet-trained or who are incontinent must wear an appropriate swim diaper.

• Diapers may only be changed at the changing tables installed in the bathrooms and disposed of properly in the bathroom trash.

• Per CDC pool health guidelines, parents must check swim diapers hourly and may be asked to remove children from the pool for failure to maintain acceptable hygienic practices.

• Any person having an obvious skin disease, open sore, nasal or ear discharge, sore or inflamed eyes, excessive sunburn or communicable disease, or is wearing bandages of any description, is not permitted to enter either pool.

• Individuals who have suffered vomiting, fever, diarrhea or other contagious disease in the last 24 hours shall not use the pool.

• Proper swimwear must be worn in the pool. Shoes and/or street clothes are not permitted in the pool.

• All accidents must be reported promptly to a lifeguard and/or the Manager on Duty.

• Smoking, vaping, electronic cigarettes of any kind, and drug use are prohibited on the premises.

• The use of sunscreen is highly encouraged. Please consider using lotion sunscreen whenever possible. When using spray sunscreens, only spray in grassy areas, away from other Members, guests, and pool furniture.

• No pets (other than service dogs) are permitted on the premises, except as authorized by the Board of Directors.

GENERAL

• To ensure maximum attentiveness to the safety of all patrons, Members shall not converse with the lifeguards while they are on duty in their chairs, except in an emergency.

• Members and their guests are expected at all times to maintain behavior appropriate for the safe, fun, family-friendly Cottontail community.

• Tables and seating are on a first-come, first-served basis, and may not be reserved without a Private Parties Contract. Groups totaling more than twenty (20) members and guests are considered a Social Event and require special permission. (See Private Parties.) Groups less than twenty (20) members and guests masquerading as smaller groups will be limited at the discretion of the Manager on Duty.

• Conduct anywhere on the premises that is deemed by the staff to be unsafe or unhealthy, including, but not limited to running, non-approved diving, eating food on the deck, towel snapping, sitting on another swimmer’s shoulders, roughhousing, wrestling, hitting, pushing, shoving, spitting, spouting of water, the throwing of any objects other than approved balls, etc. is not permitted.

• Conduct anywhere on the premises that interferes with the enjoyment of others, including, but not limited to profane or otherwise unacceptable language, obscene or otherwise unacceptable behavior, unnecessarily loud shouting, unnecessarily loud music, the careless throwing of objects of any kind, etc. is not permitted.

• Trash and litter shall be placed in the proper receptacles. Members’ household trash, including pet waste, may not be disposed of on the Cottontail premises, including in the Cottontail dumpster.

• Only authorized persons are permitted in the pool office, the pump house and the storage sheds.

• Rollerblades, skateboards, and scooters are prohibited on the premises.

• A lane will be roped off for lap swimming. Adults have priority use of this lane. Lap swimmers and walkers should “circle swim” and share the lane when asked.

• Inflatable rafts, inner tubes, or artificial flotation devices are not allowed in the main pool, except during specially designated "raft nights", and are never permitted in the diving well. Jumping onto any type of raft from the pool deck is prohibited. Air-floatation devices on small children, who are under the direct supervision of an adult, are permitted (See Age and Supervision Requirements).

• Water propulsive devices (i.e., water guns, super soakers) and water-balloons are not allowed in the pool area, except during specially designated “water-squirter parties”.

• Flippers/fins are permitted only in the designated lap lane.

• The cost of any property damage due to negligence will be charged to the responsible member.

• Cottontail Swim and Racquet Club is not responsible for loss or breakage of personal items.

• Lost articles may be found in the marked bin or in the pool office. Unclaimed items may be periodically disposed of at the discretion of the Manager.

DIVING BOARD

• In order to use the diving well, including the diving board, at the request of the Lifeguard on Duty, swimmers, regardless of age, must pass the basic swimming test given by a Lifeguard on Duty which consists of both: swimming 25 meters freestyle with breathing and tread water for one (1) minute.

• Diving must be straight out from the end of the diving board. Backwards diving is prohibited. Inwards, cut-aways, gainers or other dives that propel a person towards the board are prohibited.

• After diving from the diving board, swim directly to the ladder on that side of the diving well.

• Do not attempt to jump or dive beyond the center of the diving area where the water becomes shallower.

• Do not run on the diving board.

• One bounce only is permitted.

• Do not sit on the diving board.

• Do not hang on the diving board.

• Do not dive until the diver in front has exited the diving well.

• Only one person is allowed on the diving board at a time. Do not ascend the ladder to the board until the previous diver has left the board.

• Parents/Guardians may not catch children coming off the diving board.

• Diving board may be closed at the discretion of the sitting Lifeguard.

• General swimming is not allowed in the diving well when the diving board is in use. If the diving board is not in use, swimmers may ask the sitting Lifeguard for permission to swim in the diving well. Swimmers must clear the diving well when instructed by a Lifeguard in order to reopen the diving board.

• Facemasks, goggles and glasses must be removed before diving.

• Diver assumes all risk of injury due to misuse of the diving board or failure to follow these rules.

SLIDES

• In order to use the diving well, including the slide, at the request of the Lifeguard on Duty, swimmers, regardless of age, must pass the basic swimming test administered by the Lifeguard on Duty which consists of both: swimming 25 meters freestyle with breathing and tread water for one (1) minute.

• Slides may only be used when water is running.

• Swimwear must not have exposed zippers, buckles, rivets or metal ornamentation.

• No goggles or accessories (i.e. bracelet, watch or other jewelry) may be worn, as they may cause injury if caught on slide.

• No items may be carried on the slide (i.e. noodles, mats, water wings, goggles, etc.) 

• Always slide feet first in a seated position; NEVER SLIDE HEAD FIRST.

• No running, standing, kneeling, rotating, tumbling or stopping in slide.

• One (1) person at a time, no double riding.

• Exit the water via the nearest ladder or the main pool, immediately after sliding.

• All swimmers must wait to climb the ladder until the prior swimmer has cleared the landing area.

• Parents/Guardians may not catch children coming down the Deep-End slide.

• MAXIMUM WEIGHT on the Deep-End slide is 325 pounds.

• MAXIMUM WEIGHT on Shallow-End slide is 80 pounds (or ten (10) years old).

• Slides may be closed at the discretion of the Manager on Duty.

• Rider assumes all risk of injury due to misuse of the slide or failure to follow these Rules.

SPA

• No one under sixteen (16) years of age is permitted in the spa (a.k.a. “hot tub”).

• Maximum capacity is five (5) people at a time.

• All swimmers must shower with warm water and soap before entering the spa and after using the toilet. Oils and lotions are harmful to the system.

• Do not use the spa while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, anticoagulants, antihistamines, vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, stimulants, hypnotics, narcotics or tranquilizers.

• Pregnant women and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes and/or high/low blood pressure should not enter the spa without prior medical consultation.

• Submerging your head underwater is not advised, doing so increases the danger of hyperthermia.

• Using the swimming pool immediately after exiting the spa can cause symptoms of nausea and/or shock.

WATER BASKETBALL

• Hard balls are not allowed in any pool with the exception of the basketball provided by Cottontail for use only in the water basketball area. “Nerf” balls may be used provided they do not interfere with others’ enjoyment of the pool.

• Over-zealous ball playing is prohibited.

• No hanging from the basket.

GAME DECK

• No metal furniture.

• Private use of the game deck must be scheduled with the Socials Director.

• Use of Game Deck privileges by Members or guests can be revoked if behavior is unsafe or damaging to the property.

TENNIS COURTS

• Only Members and accompanied guests permitted on courts.

• Children under the age of twelve (12) must be accompanied by an adult.

• Bicycles, roller blades, skateboards or scooters are not permitted.

• Glass containers of any kind are prohibited.

• Proper footwear is required; rubber soled shoes only.

• Do not abuse net, courts or other equipment. Any Member or their guest(s) causing damage, will be held responsible for the necessary repair costs.

• Play time is limited to one hour when others are waiting.

• Profanity and derogatory language will not be tolerated.

• Use tennis court at own risk.

• Tennis court playing hours:

• Regular Members have access 8:00 am – 8:00 pm daily, year-round.

• Associate Members have access 8:00 am – 8:00 pm daily, ONLY during the regular summer swim season.

• An access code for the tennis courts will be issued to all active Members.

• Violation of the rules may result in suspension or revocation of Club Membership.

FOOD AND DRINK

• Food and drinks are prohibited in the pool at all times.

• Food and drinks, other than water from a plastic bottle, are prohibited on the concrete deck within the fenced area encircling the main pool.

• No glass containers of any kind are allowed on the premises.

• No gum chewing is allowed inside the fence.

• Consumption of alcohol by any person(s) under twenty-one (21) years of age is prohibited.

POOL CLOSURES

• Thunder/Lightning. In the event of thunder or lighting, the pool will be evacuated, and the pool area will close for at least thirty (30) minutes after the last clap of thunder or sight of lightning. All persons must leave the decks, the pavilions, bath house, and the lawn.

• Rain. In the event of excessive rain that obscures the lifeguards’ ability to see the bottom of the pool, the pool will be evacuated until it is deemed safe to enter by the Manager on Duty.

• Air Quality. In the event the Air Quality Index (AQI) is above 150 (Code Red) in our area for longer than two (2) hours, Cottontail Swim and Racquet Club will close, including all activities and events.

• Defecation. In the event of defecation, the pool will close for a minimum of two (2) hours. If identified, this person shall be banned from Cottontail for a minimum of one (1) week, this includes swim practices, swim meets and/or swim lessons.

• Vomitus. In the event of vomitus contamination, the pool will close for a minimum of two (2) hours.

• Other Health Accidents. In the event of any health accident, it may be necessary to evacuate the pool for an allotted amount of time at the discretion of the Manager on Duty.

SWIM TEAM PRACTICES AND MEETS

• Only swim team members will be allowed in the pool during their designated swim team practices in areas not open for recreational swim.

• During swim team practices and swim meets, all spectators and parents must remain in the grassy area, pavilions, on the pool deck (except inside the rope line), or outside the pool facility.

• No one is allowed in the Wading Pool or Spa area during swim team practices and swim meets.

• While FCPS is in session, swim team practices will be held in the afternoons and will occupy the main pool. The shallow and deep ends, together with one lap lane, will remain available to all Members for recreational swim.

• When a swim meet occurs during normal operating hours, The Club typically coordinates with other clubs so that Members may swim at a neighboring pool.