Rules & Regulations

People in the water at the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center

To ensure the safety of our patrons and avoid damage to the facility, all ELFAC guests & staff shall observe the following rules.

General Facility Rules

This Facility enforces the Health Department “Public Swimming Pool Rules.”

  • Showers are requested before entering the pool.
  • Only proper swim apparel will be permitted in the pool and Splash Pad. 
  • Admission to the pool may be refused to any person having a contagious infection condition or communicable disease, including open blisters, cuts sores, etc.
  • Always obey Aquatic Staff instructions.
  • Daily users must pay the appropriate admission fee. Refunds will not be given for weather-related conditions. 
  • Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old.
  • Children in diapers or being potty trained must wear appropriate swim diapers.
  • Infants must be changed in the restrooms and diapers disposed of properly.
  • One must be 48” (4 feet) or taller to ride the body slide, tube slide or drop slide.
  • Only U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets are permitted in the pool in designated areas.
  • Children in lifejackets must always be within an arm’s length of their guardian.

The following items or activities are NOT PERMITTED:

  • Swimmies, water wings, rafts, bodyboards, noodles, toys, inflatables or mermaid tails.
  • Snorkeling or SCUBA equipment, including masks with a nose piece. Goggles can be used. 
  • Holding, standing or hanging on the lane lines, ladders or pool ropes.
  • Spitting, spouting water or discharging bodily waste in the pool.
  • Glass containers
  • Running or rough play. Staff have the right to stop any play which they deem dangerous.
  • Flipping, throwing, sitting on the shoulders, piggyback rides and other unsafe activities.
  • Abusive or inappropriate language, gestures or threatening behavior.
  • Smoking, vaping, use of smokeless tobacco, alcohol and drugs
  • Patrons shall not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while in the facility.
  • Service animals are welcome on deck, but are prohibited from entering the pool per health code.
  • Radios/amplified music must be restricted to personal sound devices with headphones.
  • Diving is ONLY permitted off the diving board.

Every effort will be made to accommodate large groups. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Please call Guest Services at (517) 332-4420 in season and (517) 333-2580 out of season. The Department of Parks, Recreation & Arts is not responsible for personal property. Secure items in a locker. Items found will be left in the office “Lost and Found” for a limited time. Please direct any questions to the ELFAC staff.

Pool and Activity General Rules:

  • Follow all lifeguard/staff instructions.
  • Dress Code: proper swim attire is required. No jean shorts or cuts offs allowed on the slides.
  • No metal objects, locker keys, goggles, metal snaps, watches, sunglasses or eyeglasses are permitted on the slides.  
  • Skipping in line and rowdy play are prohibited.
  • No climbing up the slides.
  • Arms and hands must be always inside the slide.
  • All persons must enter and exit the slide feet first only.
  • Standing, stopping or sliding down the slide headfirst is strictly prohibited.
  • Only one person is permitted on a slide at a time. Chain riding is strictly prohibited.   
  • Plunge pool must be clear of all swimmers when slides are in use.
  • Leave plunge area immediately after using the slide. Swimmers may not catch slide users.  

Frog Slide Rules

  • All persons must be UNDER 48” tall to ride the FROG Slide.
  • Arms and hands must always be inside the slide.
  • Slide must be ridden in a seated position or lying on your back, feet first.

 Tube and Body Slide Rules

  • All persons must be AT LEAST 48” tall to ride the slide and able to swim without assistance.  
  • Depth of the plunge pool is 3’6”. 
  • Life jackets or other floatation devices are prohibited. Non-swimmers are not permitted.  
  • Tube Slide: all persons must always stay on their tube.
  • Going down the slide backwards is prohibited.
  • No diving from end of the slide.  
  • Use designated stairs to exit the plunge area. 

Drop Slide Rules

  • All persons must be AT LEAST 48” tall to ride the slide and able to swim without assistance.  
  • WARNING: Plunge area for the Drop Slide is 12’6” deep. 
  • Life jackets or other flotation devices are prohibited.  Non-swimmers are not permitted.  
  • Use designated ladder to exit the plunge area. 

Zero Depth Pool (Water depth of 0” to 12’)

  • No diving.
  • Adults must accompany unaccomplished swimmers.
  • Guardians are responsible for their own children.
  • Children in lifejackets must be always within an arm’s length of their guardian.
  • Rubber/plastic pants must be worn over diapers. Swim diapers are acceptable.