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Brookhaven makes reusable swim-diaper rule and expands pool programming for 2026 season
Summary
Brookhaven's aquatics manager outlined new rules and programming for the 2026 pool season: children under 3 must wear a reusable City of Brookhaven swim diaper (sold at pools for $5), pools open May 23 with new party slots, lap-swim hour, water aerobics, and partnerships with YMCA and swim schools.
Julie, the city's aquatics manager, told the Brookhaven City Council at its April 28 work session that the department will require children under age 3 to wear a City of Brookhaven reusable swim diaper in addition to disposable diapers this season. “The reusable swim diapers will be available for purchase at the pools for $5,” she said, adding the rule is intended to reduce in-pool contamination events.
Julie said the department previously recorded 11 contamination incidents in her first year and reduced those to five last season; the new requirement is aimed at reducing those incidents further. “We're hoping to take those down to even less, maybe 0 this year,” she said.
The department also changed pool-rental and operating policies. Pool parties will be available every day in two time slots (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.), with each rental including exclusive use of a pavilion and capacity up to 40 guests. Linwood Park’s splash pad will open daily at 10 a.m., and the pools are scheduled to open to the public on May 23; staff will reserve 10–11 a.m. for lap swimming at designated pools.
Programming additions include water aerobics classes and expanded swim-camp offerings at Linwood Park with eight weeks of options and before/after care; the YMCA will run lessons and safety programming at Briarwood and Murphy Candler before public hours. Julie said swim-team practices begin May 11 and the first meet is May 26, with the Murphy Candler and Briarwood teams competing.
To manage crowding at popular sites, the department plans to deploy people-counting devices and on-site weather stations at Lynnwood and Briarwood pools that will display live occupancy and radar on pool monitors. “This will display the number of people on the monitors so folks can see, ‘Hey, we are at max capacity,’” Julie said, describing how the devices will help staff safely manage entries.
Julie also described a May 16 ‘back to pool’ event at Briarwood to address language and financial barriers; the event will distribute swimwear, provide guidance on appropriate swimwear, and include bilingual outreach. She said the department is accepting new swimwear donations and financial contributions, and there are collection boxes at Lynnwood Rec Center.
Council members praised the department’s outreach and adjustments based on prior-season feedback. The council did not take any formal action on the presentation; staff will implement the operational changes ahead of opening.
