Bartlett Park District has lightning prediction systems that consists of sensors measuring electrostatic charges at ground level and in the atmosphere. These electrostatic charges, invisible to the naked eye, build prior to lightning occurrences. Lightning Prediction Systems are located at two Park District locations:
Apple Orchard Community Park and Rita K Fletcher Park with alarm horns and strobe lights located at Apple Orchard Golf Course Clubhouse and Bartlett Aquatic Center. Included within the system’s range will be Apple Orchard Community Park and Rita K Fletcher Park.
Koehler Athletic Fields with alarm horn and strobe lights on the concession building. Included within the system’s range are all athletic fields.
When conditions indicate that a lightning occurrence is probable, a signal is sent to the alarm horns and strobe lights. The system will be operational from late March to mid-November, from 6am to 11pm. The best way to manage lightning, thunder, and related severe weather conditions is to be aware in advance of changing weather conditions, coupled with sound judgment and prompt implementation of lightning procedures.
Warning Signal
A Warning Signal (one long 15 second horn blast) will sound and strobe lights will activate when a potentially dangerous weather situation is approaching. The strobe lights are mounted on the top of the Aquatic Center, Golf Course Clubhouse, and the concession building at Koehler Athletic Fields. If the strobe lights are activated, a potentially dangerous weather situation exists.
Procedures
Bartlett Aquatic Center
Swimmers will be directed by Pool Staff to clear the pool and proceed to safety.
Athletic Fields, Parks, and Open Areas
Park Users: All activities in the park will end immediately and patrons must leave the park. It is recommended that park patrons seek shelter in their cars or a building. Patrons should avoid areas that are higher than the surrounding landscape, they should not use a tree for shelter, and they should keep away from metal objects such as bicycles, golf clubs, umbrellas, chain-link fences, metal bats, golf clubs, etc. They should also get away from the pond and/or pooling water. All park patrons must wait until the Lightning Prediction System performs an All-Clear Signal before returning to the park.
Apple Orchard Golf Course
Golfers: All golf activities on the golf course or putting green, will end immediately and patrons must proceed to Safety. Golfing patrons have the option of seeking protection in their own vehicles, the lightning-safe shelters at Holes #6 or #7, or the golf clubhouse. Golfers should avoid areas that are higher than the surrounding landscape, they should not use a tree for shelter, and they should keep away from metal objects such as bicycles, umbrellas, golf clubs, etc. They should also get away from the pond and/or pooling water. All golf patrons must wait until the Lightning Prediction System performs an “all clear” signal.
All-Clear Signal
The All-Clear Signal (three short horn blasts, two seconds apart) will sound, and the strobe lights will deactivate. After the “all clear” signal sounds and the strobe lights deactivate, park patrons may resume their activities.
Caution
The Lightning Prediction Systems are designed to help assess conditions. Neither the signal nor the system is intended to guarantee that conditions are safe. If the weather is threatening and no warning signal is heard or seen, park patrons should use good judgment and clear the fields, golf course, playground, etc. Park users should not wait for the warning signal to activate, as the system can malfunction.
Lightning is seen, but lightning prediction system has not sounded: If lightning is spotted or thunder is heard, even if the Lightning Prediction System has not sounded, all activities will cease immediately and fields will be cleared, regardless of how far away you might consider the lightning to be. In this case, the rule is: wait 30 minutes to see if the conditions improve. There must be a 30-minute period free of lightning/thunder before play can resume. Example: Lightning strikes or thunder occurs, the clock starts; 15 minutes later, lightning strikes or thunder is heard again, then the clock is reset, and you wait another 30 minutes, and so on, before play can resume.
Fields without lightning prediction system: For those fields that do not have a, Lightning Prediction Systems we are relying on coaches/parents/staff to be aware of conditions and cease play immediately when lightning is spotted, or thunder is heard. Again, in this case the rule is: wait 30 minutes to see if the conditions improve. There must be a 30-minute period free of lightning or thunder before play can resume. Example: Lightning strikes or thunder occurs, the clock starts; 15 minutes later lightning strikes or thunder is heard again, then the clock is reset, and you wait another 30 minutes, and so on, before play can resume.
