Safety and liability issues could kill any chances of Green’s Park staying open year round.
Members of the Village of Lake Orion’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommended to village council members on March 8 to increase the hours of the park, located on M-24.
The recommendation asked that the park stay open from dawn to dusk all year long. The swimming hours would stay the same, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on non-school days; 3-8 p.m. on school days, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
A lifeguard would only be on duty during the swimming hours.
According to committee member Lisa Simpkins, the recommendation was based on a large number of residents wanting to use the park year round
‘Let the residents get the use out of the park,? councilman Tom Albert said.? We’re putting a lot of things in this park. I want it open. Residents want to be able to picnic in the fall and maybe have the use of an ice skating rink.?
Most council members felt there should be someone to supervise the park at all times.
‘I’m against having any open swimming without a lifeguard. It’s our responsibility to keep kids as safe as possible. And what about the possibility of vandalism at the bath house?? councilman Douglas Dendel asked.
Councilman Bob Hollenbeck agreed. ‘I’m concerned about the equipment in the facility. Maybe it could be locked up,? he added.
The committee did an extensive survey of parks in the area that had water. ‘Ninety percent didn’t have any lifeguard. The majority of them did have signage that said ‘swim at your own risk,? Simpkins said. ‘We’ve been discussing this for two years.?
According to LO Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel, the insurance carrier indicated there would be no greater risk or liability in extending the hours.
Stan Ford, the park’s swim director, said his lifeguards would be able to get swimmers out of the water by 8 p.m., but speculated swimmers could go back in after the lifeguards left.
‘You have a budget of $30,000 for lifeguards, ‘he told the council. ‘You could save that. Why have lifeguards at all? Just depend on your signage. Why pay us?? he asked. ‘Have them or have none.?
He didn’t believe lifeguards should stay until 10 p.m. because they’re already working long hours.
DPW director John Ranville advised the dock and raft be taken out if the park stays open all year.
The question came up as to who would open and close the park on a daily basis.
Simpkins said Orion Township’s Friendship Park is open and closed by Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies.
According to Van Tassel, it would be possible for DPW workers to open the park in the morning, but not at night.
Council members decided to inform the advisory committee about some of their concerns and bring some ideas back to the council at the end of April. Several members thought conducting a public hearing on keeping the park year round would be a good idea.
They are also asking residents to write or call the village hall and give their opinions on whether the park should stay open all the time.