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Mills Pond Pool 2020 - Information & Updates

Canton Parks & Recreation is looking forward to the 2020 pool season at Mills Pond Pool. Due to COVID-19 changes have been made to general operations. Please continue to check this page for additional updates throughout the season. Our department will continue to monitor state and local health guidelines to ensure the safety of our patrons and staff as this is our top priority. Please review all information provided below prior to entering Mills Pond Pool. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

Public Swim Schedule 
There will be three two-hour public swim sessions (weather permitting) each day of our swim season. There will be a cleaning period in between each wave to allow for our staff to prepare the facility for the next wave. Only the main pool will be open this season; wade will remain closed. No adult swim. The pool schedule will be as follows: 
June 29-August 25th  
Monday - Friday

Wave #1: 1:30 - 3:30 PM:
Wave #2: 3:45 - 5:45 PM
Wave #3: 6:00 - 8:00 PM*

Saturday & Sunday 

Wave #1: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Wave #2:3:15 - 5:15 PM
Wave #3:5:30 - 7:30 PM* 

*must register for wave #3 by 3:30 of that day. 

Capacity will be limited for each session. Everyone who will be entering the facility will be required to register for a swim wave, regardless if they are swimming. We ask that each patron come to the pool dressed and ready to swim. 


How to register
Mills Pond Pool will be cashless this summer. All transactions will need to be done prior to entering the facility including registering for a swim wave. Everyone entering the facility is required to register through www.cantonrec.org
Mills Pond Pool Member:
Members will be able to reserve their space for a swim wave starting at 8 AM the day before the swim wave takes place. Members will have exclusive access for 24 hours to reserve their space. After the 24 hour period has expired, registration will then be made available for the general public. Registration fee will be waived at checkout for all members.

Membership: Mills Pond Pool memberships are available to purchase now! Memberships will still be offered for households ($120), individual ($62) and senior ($25).  Click HERE to register for a membership.   

Non-Members/General Public: Reservations for any remaining spots will be open to the public starting at 8 AM the day of the scheduled swim wave. The daily admission fee is $5 residents and $7 non-residents. 

Both members and non-members can register for only one swim wave per day (subject to change). All patrons must wear a face mask/covering inside the facility at all times. Children under 2 years old do not have to wear a mask. 

Facility Protocols

Before coming to the facility please review Mills Pond Pool rules. 

Checking in: Upon arrival please follow all social distancing guidelines - signs and markers will be posted at the front of the building and throughout the facility. Members will be asked to scan their membership card. General public will be asked to provide name and address when checking in. 

Lap swim: Lap swim will continue to be offered by request during regular public pool sessions. Only one lane will be open with a maximum of one swimmer in the lane at one time (no exceptions will be allowed to this rule - regardless if both swimmers are from the same household). Lap swim will be limited to 30 minutes during busier time to allow for a rotation of people.
6/29: All lap swimmers must sign in at the front desk. Starting 6/30, all registration for lap swim will be online - If you are interested in lap swim, click HERE to register for a time. Please note, you must register for a swim wave BEFORE registering for lap swim. If you only sign up for lap swim, you will not be able  to enter the facility. 

Pool House/Locker Rooms: All patrons must wear a face mask/covering inside the facility at all times. When entering  the locker rooms, please yield to those who are exiting the area. If the locker room is too crowded, please wait outside until more people have exited. Social distancing should be maintained while in the facility. Please note, there will be no lost or found this season. 

Pool Deck/Grass Area: Patrons are welcomed to bring their own chairs; no chairs or lounges will be provided by Canton Parks & Rec. Patrons will be able to set up chairs/blankets on grass only. Chair groupings should be set a minimum of six feet apart. Patrons should only be grouped together with their household when within six feet. Specific spacing will be marked underneath the shade structures to ensure proper distancing. A face mask/covering is not required when social distancing can be maintained, but must be easily accessible if needed. 

Swimming: Face masks will not be required while in the pool, but a strict six foot distance must be maintained between members of another party. Social distancing within the pool is the primary responsibility of the patrons. 

Concessions: As in years past, concessions of all pre-packaged items will be available for sale at the front desk. We ask that all patrons interested in purchasing anything from concessions wait until after the check-in period for the swim wave to reduce traffic at the front desk. When entering the facility to purchase any snacks a face mask/covering must be worn. The only form of payment will be Snack Dollars, which are available for purchase on cantonrec.org; no cash, check or credit card payments will be accepted. The amount of Snack Dollars purchased will automatically be funded to your account. 

Cleaning & Sanitizing: Cleaning and sanitizing the facility will be a full team effort by Mills Pond Pool staff. Cleaning will occur in between each swim wave and as needed throughout the day. During the swim wave transition, staff will concentrate on cleaning high touch surfaces including, but not limited to door handles, restrooms, railings. 

Aquatics Programs

Swim Lessons: Lessons will be offered on a limited basis this year as we need to adhere to regulations released from state and local health officials. Swim lessons for Parent/Child, Preschool and Levels 1-3 will be held throughout the summer. Please note, for Parent/Child, Preschool and Levels 1-2 a guardian must be in the water at all times with the participant, as there can be no physical contact between instructor and child. This is a great opportunity for parents/guardians to learn how to continue to teach their child how to swim long after lessons are over. For level 3, the participant must be able to swim the width of the pool unassisted. A parent/guardian will be needed in the water when working on back floats and strokes - the instructor will coordinate this with all participants. Class sizes are extremely limited this year. It is recommended that even if a particular class is full to still register to be on the wait list as we may be able to open the classes to more swimmers. You will not be charged if you register on the wait list, only when participant is admitted into the class. Find out more information and register on CantonRec.org. 

Dusky Dolphins - Stroke Clinic: This year Dusky Dolphins will be structured a little differently to ensure that proper social distancing of participants and coaches can be maintained. The stroke clinic will work on skill development and refinement. This may be a great option for those who were looking to continue swim lessons at a higher level! Program will start July 6 and continue Monday-Friday until July 31. For more information and to register go to CantonRec.org


Canton Parks & Rec and the entire Mills Pond Pool staff is looking forward to a great summer! With your help by following all pool rules and guidelines we can ensure that everyone has fun and stays safe. Please continue to check this page for more updates.

Weather Information 

As is typical in the summer, there is a chance of pop-up storms. Mills Pond Pool will be open if it is raining. If there is a passing storm, the pool will close at the first perceived instance of thunder or lighting and will remain closed for 30 minutes following the last perceived instance of lightning or thunder. Members will be asked to clear the facility and to wait in their vehicles to ensure proper social distancing. 

In the instance where the pool must close/a swim wave needs to be cancelled due to weather, patrons will be asked to clear the pool house. If interested, patrons can request to join the next swim wave if there is space available - requests will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. 


Please note, we will continue to try to serve as many patrons as possible, but changes may be made throughout the season to ensure the safety of staff and guests. We ask that all patrons follow the protocols listed above and the Mills Pond Pool Rules. We appreciate your patience as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances. 

Mills Pond Pool: 860-693-7844
Canton Parks & Rec: 860-693-5808

Daily Pass: Credit will be applied to patron's account if swim wave is cancelled prior to starting or if the pool is closed within 30 minutes of the start of the swim wave. No refunds will be given. Credit will remain on your account and can be applied to future swim wave or program registration.
Members: As a member, if at any point you can no longer attend a swim wave you have registered for, please call Mills Pond Pool (during hours of operation) to be taken off the roster for that wave.