Getting to know the guards at Wald Park Pool

A slew of friendly faces await families at the Wald Park pool this summer, as the pool’s lifeguards prepare for a summer full of fun, but safe, swimming.

Senior Pool Supervisor Candia Cole said she generally tries to draw her group of guards from the many local students returning home from college for the summer.

Michael O’Neal, one of this summer’s head lifeguards, is a recent graduate of Samford University, and is continuing his education at Samford by pursuing a master’s degree in education to become an English teacher.

O’Neal, who has been a lifeguard since 2013, said he is excited for another summer of getting to know parents and children in the community as well as his fellow guards.

“My favorite thing about being a lifeguard is the opportunity to invest in the vitality of the community,” he said.

Caroline Adams and Carley Bivin, both rising sophomores at Auburn University, said they are also excited to spend another summer getting to know the other lifeguards and helping out the community.

“I cannot wait to meet the new lifeguards and see how much the kids who came to the pool every day last summer have grown up,” Bivin said.

O’Neal said he is also excited for residents to see the results of the pool’s recent resurfacing project.

“I am looking forward to patrons enjoying the renovations,” he said.

In addition to enjoying the renovations, O’Neal said he hopes he and the other guards can make visitors’ time at the pool as enjoyable as possible, whether that is through regular guarding or by keeping the bathrooms clean.

“Our staff’s goal is to make patrons’ experience at Wald Park Pool the best part of their day,” he said. “We want parents to feel confident in our commitment to keeping their children safe, and we want children to feel welcome and loved by our staff.”

O’Neal said he hopes residents will particularly take advantage of the family night swims on Thursday nights, as well as the “Wald Park Ninja Warrior” competitions in June and July. O’Neal said an obstacle course will be set up in the pool, and participants will be divided into groups to compete. Winners will receive a prize, which in past years have consisted of complimentary pool passes and free pool parties.

He also encouraged patrons to follow the pool on social media at @WaldParkPool on both Twitter and Instagram for updates about weather and special events.