Beach provides free swimming for thousands

To the editor:

Being an avid fan of Waterworks Beach and distraught over its recent closing, I attended meetings this week with the Park and Rec Board as well as the Safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday. Based on what I heard there and the demand from people, young and old, meditating and not, I believe our beach will reopen. That is the good news. The devil is in the details. I agreed with the advice of our city administrator, Jeff Clawson, who proposed that while having ropes and buoys remain, that the rest of the reservoir be not off limits to swimming at your own risk, with no lifeguards present. This is in line with my experience at other beaches such as Lacey Keosauqua, Lake Darling, Rathbun, Coralville Lake Beach as well as what I understand to be standard policy for the Army Corps of Engineers. This can be found at nearly all coastal beaches, Great Lakes beaches and many other Iowa lakes.

Once we assume, or try to mitigate risk for people by creating safe lanes etc, then we become responsible for policing them, punishing violators, and justifying the arbitrary boundaries and their enforcement to any suit arising from an accident. We should not let the goal of getting the beach opened detour us from doing it right. I strongly agree with Jeff, the administrator, that you open it all just like the Army Corps national policy. Might there ever be an accident or drowning that could bring a suit against the city? Absolutely. It is like asking if there ever might be a football, wrestling or basketball accident or death with consequent lawsuits. Of course there might be. Anybody can sue anybody for anything anytime. I would suggest that we be in line with long thought out policy that is widely in place rather than adding rules that however well intended, can have just the opposite effect than what was intended.

When asked about safety issues around the reservoir Carl Chandler from the water plant indicated that his concern was with the rap at the damn end of the lake and especially at the corner nearest the plant where the dock is currently located. The dock may be moved and the riprap area of concern on the dam end can be cordoned off.

One other important point. At a time when budgets are lean, not only for cities like ours but for many people needing to cool off and get some exercise, the beach has provided free swimming for thousands of people. 100-150 people on a nice day is not unusual based on years of personal experience. This recreational asset has been primarily volunteer driven, largely by Frank Wintroub, on less money yearly than I would venture to say is spent cutting the grass around it.

I have spoken to many young people from Fairfield, as well as those visiting town and it is common to hear them say that the beach at Waterworks is one of the best things going here.

We have a jewel here. Lets look for ways to shine it up and enjoy it. 

? Rodger Beaton, Fairfield