POCOMOKE, Md. - Maryland officials have announced that the Pocomoke River State Park’s historic swimming pool will be closed to the public this summer due to a lack of qualified lifeguard applications.
Maryland State Parks shared the announcement Wednesday afternoon via social media.
“While we know the pool is a favorite for many visitors, certified lifeguards are required for safe operation,” Maryland State Parks wrote.
The swimming pool complex between the Nature Center, Fishing Pond, and Marina/Camp Store at the park was first opened in 1964, according to the Maryland Park Service. In 2025, the pool was listed on Maryland’s website as open for the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The park has previously posted solicitation for lifeguard candidates, offering a starting salary of $17.33 an hour and free pre-requisite lifeguard, first aid, and CPR training.
Lisa Taylor, executive director of the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce, said the park had been trying to fill seasonal positions for months.
“The River State Park is actually part of our chamber, and we saw several months ago back in February, and it was so cold, that they were desperately looking to hire not only people to work at the pool, but all over the park,” Taylor said. “They just weren’t able to fill the lifeguard positions for the pool.”
Taylor said the closure will be a loss for the area, especially for families and children who use the park during the summer.
“It means a lot to the city, but it also means a lot to the county,” Taylor said. “A lot of kids love going out to their pool, out to the campgrounds and all out there. So, I mean, it’s going to be a big loss for the area.”
For Tony Devereaux, a Worcester County local who worked at the park for seven summers, the announcement brought back memories of how important the pool was to nearby communities.
“That’s a damn shame. That’s my initial reaction, because I know how many children used to ride their bikes from Snow Hill to that pool in the summer,” Devereaux said.
Devereaux said the pool also provided summer employment opportunities for young people, including some who could not easily travel to Ocean City for seasonal work.
Taylor said the closure is disappointing, but the park and surrounding area still offer other options for families.
“I would say it’s still a great campground, even though the pool is not going to be open,” Taylor said. “There are a lot of other things to do in the park.”
Devereaux said he hopes the state looks at partnerships with groups such as parks and recreation departments or the YMCA to train lifeguards earlier in the year and prevent a similar closure in the future.
“You partner with the Parks and Rec and the YMCA, and you get the lifeguards trained in the early spring,” Devereaux said.
“The good news is that there is still so much to enjoy,” the State Park Service said on Wednesday. “From shaded hiking trails and paddling on the Pocomoke River to camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing, we invite you to come out and enjoy everything the park has to offer.”
