We, as residents of Mt. Lebanon, PA, express our support of opening the municipality’s outdoor pool when we reach the green phase.  After Governor Wolf's announcement on 5/22/2020 that pools can reopen in the yellow phase under CDC pool operations guidelines at 50% capacity, we believe that our community pool can be operated in a manner which mitigates risk of coronavirus exposure, provides access to important exercise for our residents and community, and supports recreational use for our families this summer.

The CDC recommends both aerobic and strength training activities for a healthy lifestyle, and specifically encourage exercise as a way to relieve stress from the current coronavirus pandemic.  Lap swimming provides excellent heart and lung benefits, is an effective cardio exercise, and helps strengthen muscles while moving through water resistance among other physical and mental benefits.  It is a low-impact workout which is ideal for many with injuries and disabilities.  Swimming also provides significant mental health benefits as a mindful exercise.

Recreational swimming provides physical and mental benefits as well, and both are much needed after this prolonged shut down of our economies and lives.  Our children require access to activities, and recreational swimming can be managed so that the risk of exposure is mitigated.

As a residents of Mt. Lebanon, we fully support the opening of the Mt. Lebanon outdoor pool this summer and believe that this can be done in a thoughtful and safe way to provide access to important exercise and recreation options for our community in the green phase this summer.