Weather Cancellation Guidelines

The following guidelines are used by the Naperville Park District to determine the cancellation or modification of activities due to weather.  Weather cancellations for activities are posted here. In most instances, the Naperville Park District will not cancel activities based upon a weather forecast.  Weather and facility conditions will be considered when determining the cancellation or modification of an activity.  Activities may be cancelled at any time subject to the discretion of the Executive Director.  At all times, participants and parents of participants have the ultimate responsibility to make decisions regarding participation in an activity based on weather conditions.

Rain

Many outdoor activities will occur as scheduled during periods of rain.  Athletic fields and parks may be closed to prevent damage to the playing surface and injuries to field users brought upon by inclement weather or unsafe playing conditions.  Groups who use Park District athletic facilities are expected to assist in protecting participants and the fields during periods of rain or inclement weather.  It only takes one practice or game to destroy a field that is not ready for play.

The Naperville Park District reserves the right to cancel or suspend outdoor facility or field use for games and other uses whenever it is anticipated that weather or turf conditions could result in damage to the fields or injury to participants.

Park and Athletic Field Closures, Program/Event Cancellations and Rain-site Notifications will be posted by the Park District here.

Groups/Programs that use Park District athletic facilities are responsible for cancelling games and/or practices onsite if “poor or unsafe field conditions” exist.  The Park District's definition of “poor or unsafe field conditions” includes:

  1. presence of lightning or thunder
  2. standing water in an area of at least 3 feet in diameter on the field
  3. water surfacing or bubbling up when walking on turf
  4. field is muddy to the point that footing becomes unstable (players slipping and sliding)
  5. sharp or other dangerous objects on the field (i.e. broken glass, large unmovable rocks, broken base pegs, holes, etc.)
  6. unsecured goals
  7. broken athletic equipment

Please note the following:

  • Park District personnel or athletic officials may cancel or delay outdoor activities at the park if conditions warrant doing so.
  • In the absence of an athletic official, instructors or head coaches will discuss and determine whether to cancel or modify activities as necessary.

Lightning & Thunder

Lightning warning systems are installed at several Park District sports complexes and outdoor facilities.  Park users must adhere to system warnings and take shelter when a warning signal has sounded.  Activities may not resume until the system has sounded an all-clear signal.  Groups must recognize that lightning systems are not fail safe and that systems are not located in all parks therefore, common sense and independent judgment must also be used in determining whether activities should be suspended in the absence of a system warning or resumed subsequent to an all-clear signal.   Activities must be suspended and park users must take shelter at the first sign of lightning or thunder.  In the event that activities have been suspended due to lightning, activities should not resume until the Lightning Warning System all-clear signal has sounded or it has been 30 minutes since the last lightning flash or sound of thunder.  

Hot Temperatures

Outdoor activities may be modified by the Naperville Park District due to hot temperatures. Participants in programs that meet outdoors during hot temperatures should:

  • Limit outdoor activity, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is the hottest.
  • Wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.If sunscreen is worn it must be applied by a parent or participant.Park District employees cannot apply sunscreen for participants.
  • Pace activity.Start activities slow and pick up the pace gradually.
  • Drink more water than usual, and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink more.Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
  • Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

The following guidelines will be used to determine the modification of activities.

Heat Index of 90 to 98 degrees – Parents, Coaches, and Program Instructors are encouraged to take extra steps to protect participants through hydrating and taking and frequent breaks from activities. Participants are encouraged to hydrate and apply sunscreen prior to participating in an outdoor activity.   Program and camp activities will be modified to include less strenuous activities with additional breaks.

Heat Index of 99 to 103 degrees – Parents, Coaches, and Program Instructors are encouraged to take extra steps to protect participants through hydrating and taking frequent breaks from activities. Participants are encouraged to hydrate and apply sunscreen prior to participating in an outdoor activity.   Program and camp activities will be modified to include less strenuous activities with additional breaks.  Non-aquatic field trips will follow the same guidelines and will be modified and/or cancelled.  Programs and camps will be moved indoors if an indoor option is available. Athletic practices and games should be modified to reduce the length of the game or practice.

Heat Index above 103 – Programs and camps will be moved indoors if an indoor option is available.  Non-aquatic field trips will follow the same guidelines and will be modified and/or cancelled.  All other outdoor non-aquatic activities may be cancelled.

Winter Weather

Snow and ice are common causes for winter program cancellations and facility closures, however, cold temperatures is another factor that is considered during the winter season.  The Naperville Park District uses the following guidelines and procedures in the determination of winter weather cancellations and closures.

Programs & Facilities

The cancellation of Park District programs or closure of facilities will be dependent upon weather conditions and facility accessibility. The Park District will monitor weather conditions and facility accessibility to determine if Park District programs will meet or facilities will remain open. Program cancellations and facility closures due to winter weather will be posted here.

Preschool

If either Naperville Community Unit School District 203 or Indian Prairie School District 204 is closed to in-person learning due to winter weather, all Naperville Park District in-person preschool programs will be cancelled for the day.  Preschool cancellations due to winter weather will be posted at: www.napervilleparks.org/cancellations.

Cold Temperatures

Outdoor activities may be modified or cancelled by the Naperville Park District due to cold temperatures.  Participants in programs that meet outdoors during cold temperatures should wear:

  • a hat
  • a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
  • sleeves that are snug at the wrist
  • mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
  • water-resistant coat and boots
  • several layers of loose-fitting clothing

The following guidelines will be used to determine the modification of activities.

Wind Chill of 15 to 30 degrees – Parents and participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for weather conditions using clothing suggested above.  Programs may be modified to reduce the length of outdoor activities.

Wind Chill of 0 to 14 degrees – Parents and participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for weather conditions using clothing suggested above. Programs may be modified to reduce the length of outdoor activities. Programs will be moved indoors if an indoor option is available.

Wind Chill below 0 degrees – Programs will be moved indoors if an indoor option is available. All other outdoor activities may be cancelled.

The above are merely guidelines and participants and parents of participants have the ultimate responsibility to make decisions regarding participation in an activity based on weather conditions. All temperatures noted above are in degrees Fahrenheit.

Air Quality 

When the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches a certain level for the Naperville area, the Naperville Park District may modify or cancel outdoor programs, activities, or camps. While air quality can fluctuate frequently, from hour to hour or from one location to another, the District will monitor conditions to the best of our ability. 

The following are merely guidelines and participants and parents of participants have the ultimate responsibility to make decisions regarding participation in an activity based on environmental conditions.  The Naperville Park District will use the following guidelines to determine if program/facility modifications or cancellations are needed:

Good (AQI Index 0 to 50): Air quality pollution poses little or no risk; no modifications are needed.

Moderate (AQI Index 51 to 100): Air quality pollution may pose issues for sensitive groups. Families and individuals need to determine their own personal needs. No program modifications will be made.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI Index 101 to 150): Air quality pollution may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Everyone is encouraged to take frequent breaks and increase hydration levels. If needed, programs and camp activities will be modified to include less strenuous activities, especially during the heat of the day.

Unhealthy (AQI Index 151 to 200): Air quality pollution is considered unhealthy. Parents, coaches, and program instructors are encouraged to take extra steps to protect participants through increasing hydration levels and taking more frequent breaks. Programs and camp activities will be modified to include less strenuous activities with additional breaks. Programs and camps that are longer in duration or entail more intense activities may be moved indoors or rescheduled/cancelled. Athletic leagues may choose to cancel or reschedule games and practices.

Very Unhealthy (AQI Index 201 to 300): Air quality pollution is considered very unhealthy for everyone. Parents, coaches, and program instructors are encouraged to take extra steps to protect participants through increasing hydration levels and taking more frequent breaks. Programs and camp activities will be modified to include less strenuous activities with additional breaks. If programs and camps are scheduled to meet for more than one hour, they may be moved indoors, if space is available, or rescheduled/cancelled. Programs and camps scheduled outdoors, in the afternoon or during the heat of the day, will be moved indoors whenever possible or cancelled/rescheduled. Athletic league games and practices may be cancelled or rescheduled.

Outdoor facilities, including but not limited to Centennial Beach, Paddleboat Quarry Rentals and Springbrook and Naperbrook Golf Courses, may need to adjust, or modify schedules and operations. Staff positions with typically long periods of outdoor exposure may use a modified schedule.

Hazardous (AQI Index 301 – 500): All outdoor programs and camps will be moved indoors or cancelled/rescheduled. All outdoor facilities, including but not limited to Centennial Beach, Paddleboat Quarry Rentals and Springbrook/Naperbrook Golf Courses will be closed.

For additional information regarding air quality issues and current levels, visit www.airnow.gov.