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Environment
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
MetroParks votes on "no swimming' rules at Euclid Beach
Park officials say debris in the water has made it unsafe to swim or even enter the water
by WKSU's KABIR BHATIA |
Reporter
Kabir Bhatia | | |
 | | Council Michael Polensek says much of the debris and metal found underwater off of Euclid Beach is from the amusement park that closed in 1969 | | Courtesy of Wikimedia |
Cleveland MetroParks commissioners will vote this morning on whether to allow swimming at Euclid Beach. WKSU’s Kabir Bhatia reports. |
LISTEN: MetroParks voting on 'No swimming' rules at Euclid BeachOther options:  MP3 Download (0:43)
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When MetroParks crews were prepping the beach in May, they found metal, debris and other hazards underwater. Now, swimming or even entering the water is off-limits. City Councilman Michael Polensek grew up in the neighborhood, swimming at Euclid Beach, and says – with hot summer weather already here -- park officials need to find a resolution fast.
“Common sense needs to prevail here. People who have some reasonable approach to dealing with water safety need to step up [to] the plate at MetroParks. And let's figure out how to work out the issues that present themselves there.”
Park rangers ticketed a man over the weekend for allowing his daughter to wade in the water, which Polensek calls "outrageous."
“You cannot walk in the water. What about fishermen who walk in the water? What about the kayakers? What about people on jet skis? They can't get in and out of their crafts?
“When you have an 80 or 90 degree day, you're telling me -- when people go up to that lake -- they can't even get their feet wet? How absurd is that? We are a lakefront community.”
Officials are still waiting for a decision on whether the Army Corps of Engineers will grant permits to clean up the area. Cleveland MetroParks took over Euclid Beach from the state in 2013. |
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