Brochures Winter 2016-2017 | Page 96

Park District of Highland Park Waiver and Release
IMPORTANT INFORMATION : The Park District of Highland Park is committed to conducting its recreation programs and activities in a safe manner , providing safe aquatic facilities and programs , and holds the safety of participants in high regard . The Park District of Highland Park continually strives to reduce such risks and insists that all participants follow safety rules and instructions that are designed to protect the participant ’ s safety . However , participants and parents / guardians of minors registering for this program must recognize that there is an inherent risk of injury when choosing to participate in recreational activities / programs .
You are solely responsible for determining if you or your minor child / ward are physically fit and / or adequately skilled for the activities contemplated by this agreement . It is always advisable , especially if the participant is pregnant , suffers from an underlining medical condition , takes medication , smokes cigarettes , has a family history of coronary disease , or has recently suffered an illness , injury or impairment , to consult a physician before undertaking any fitness center activity , or any physical / aquatic activity .
Please understand and recognize that lifeguards are not responsible for providing supervision or assessing your swimming skills or that of your minor child ; rather , lifeguards are responsible for enforcing safety rules and responding to emergencies . Adult pool pass holders and parents of minor pool pass holders are solely responsible for supervision of any and all activities contemplated by this agreement . Additionally , children 10 years of age and younger must be supervised at all times by a responsible person , 16 years of age or older . NEVER LEAVE ANY CHILD WITH POOR SWIMMING SKILLS OR 10 YEARS OF AGE AND YOUNGER UNACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR RESPONSIBLE PERSON , 16 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER
WARNING OF RISK : Aerobic and other fitness activities such as passive / resistive weight training , use of stair machines , jogging , free weights , and other training devices are intended to challenge and engage the physical , mental and emotional resources of the participant . Despite careful and proper preparation , instruction , medical advice , conditioning , and equipment , there is still a risk of serious injury . All hazards and dangers can not be foreseen . Depending on the particular activity , certain risks , dangers and injuries due to overexertion , improper technique , ignoring safety precautions , failing to follow instructions , slips and falls , unfamiliarity with the equipment and / or exercise , equipment failure , failure in supervision / instruction , premises defects and other risks inherent to the particular activity exist . In this regard , it is impossible for the Park District of Highland Park to guarantee absolute safety .
Dependent upon a person ’ s physical condition , age and / or skill level , aerobics and fitness activities can involve a substantial risk of the following types of injuries . This list is by no means complete , but includes some of the more common ones :
1 . Heart attack , stroke and circulatory problems
4 . Shin splints
2 . Bone and joint injuries
5 . Muscle strain and other muscle injuries
3 . Back and neck injury
6 . Foot problems
Swimming and other aquatic activities challenge and engage the physical , mental and emotional resources of each participant . However , despite careful and proper preparation , instruction , medical advice , conditioning and equipment , there is still a risk of serious injury , including but not limited to drowning , head / brain injury , and spinal cord injury . Understandably , not all hazards and dangers can be foreseen . The very nature of swimming and aquatic activities are hazardous and risky , including but not limited to fatigue and overexertion , poor swimming skills , failing to avoid dangerous areas , failing to follow rules and regulations , failure of lifeguards to locate victims and / or delay in emergency response time , horseplay , diving or cannon-balling into shallow water and striking the bottom or side of the pool or waterslide , inadequate supervision or instruction , lack of conditioning , becoming disoriented , striking other swimmers , striking one ’ s head on the bottom , slip and falls on the deck or within the locker facility , chemical exposure and all other circumstances inherent to aquatic activities . In this regard , it must be recognized that it is impossible for the Park District to guarantee absolute safety .
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK : Please read this form carefully and be aware that in signing up and participating in this program / activity , you will be expressly assuming the risk and legal liability and waiving and releasing all claims for injuries , damages or loss which you or your minor child / ward might sustain as a result of participating in any and all activities connected with and associated with this program / activity ( including transportation services and vehicle operations , when provided ) and with the use of the Park District aquatic facilities and programs .
I recognize and acknowledge that there are certain risks of physical injury to participants in this program / activity and to patrons of aquatic facilities , and I voluntarily agree to assume the full risk of any and all injuries , damages or loss , regardless of severity , that my minor child / ward or I may sustain as a result of participating in any and all activities and programs connected with or associated with this Pass . I agree to waive and relinquish all claims I or my minor child / ward may have ( or accrue to me or my child / ward ) as a result of participating in this program / activity against the Park District of Highland Park , including its officials , agents , volunteers and employees . I further recognize and agree that lifeguards and other aquatic staff are not responsible for supervising my activities or the activities of my minor child ( ren ) and I agree that I am solely responsible for supervising my minor children and / or assessing whether my children are physically fit and / or adequately skilled for aquatic activities . I additionally agree to supervise any children ages 10 and under at all times . I further agree to waive and relinquish all claims I , or my minor child / ward may have ( or accrue to me or my child / ward ) as a result of use of the Park District ’ s aquatic facilities and programs against the Park District , including its officials , agents , volunteers and employees ( hereinafter collectively referred as “ District ”). I do hereby fully release and forever discharge the District from any and all claims for injuries , damages or loss that my minor child / ward or I may have or which may accrue to me or my minor child / ward and arising out of , connected with , or in any way associated with use of the Park District of Highland Park ’ s aquatic facilities and programs .
Special Accommodations ADA Information : The Park District of Highland Park encourages participation by everyone ! If you or a family member have special needs and would like to participate in a program , we will be happy to make reasonable modification ( s ) to meet your needs . Please indicate on the registration form if you would like information regarding our inclusion programs and / or specifically identifying any need for and request for reasonable modification according to the Americans with Disabilities Act . The Park District of Highland Park provides recreation opportunities for all residents of Highland Park . People with and without disabilities are encouraged and invited to register for all Park District of Highland Park programs of interest . People with disabilities will not be discriminated against in the delivery of Park District of Highland Park programs . To discuss our policies , programs or services or to raise a claim of discrimination on the basis of disability , contact our Executive Director at 847.831.3810 .
Residency Policy : Recreation program residency rates apply to everyone who lives within Park District of Highland Park boundaries and pays Park District of Highland Park taxes including : residents of Fort Sheridan ( 60037 ); portions of the Town of Fort Sheridan that lie within Park District boundaries ( 60035 ); and Park District of Highland Park taxpayers who reside on the following Kings Cove ( Deerfield ) streets : Carriage Way , Bent Creek Ridge , Fox Hunt Trail , Millstone Road , Shag Bark Lane , Smoke Tree Road and Tanglewood Court . All other Deerfield street addresses and residents of Highwood do not pay Park District of Highland Park taxes and are , therefore , nonresidents of the Park District . Nonresidents pay an additional nonresident fee per program . Nonresident fees are the second fees shown in program descriptions .
Photo & Video Policy : Photos and video footage are periodically taken of participants in the facility , during a special event , or at the District ’ s parks . Please be aware that , by signing this waiver and release you are authorizing the Park District to use these photos and video footage in the District ’ s publications , website , advertising , videos and social media without your further permission and without any compensation to you . All photos are property of the Park District . Please call the Communications Office at 847.579.3136 for more information .