The Crossville City Lake Commission
meeting July 15 touched on the issue of swimming, but much of the
meeting discussion revolved around security at the park.
Meadow Park Lake Marina and Office
(File photo by Jim Young)
The Lake Commission meeting chairman
Charles Loveday said that the issue that created much discussion on
local Facebook pages earlier in July was a misunderstanding with a
new employee and it was corrected as quickly as possible. According
to Loveday, the employee knew that swimming was not allowed in the
area of the boat docks and the water intake for the water treatment
plant and he thought that that would apply to other areas of the lake.
Lake administrator Marlene Potter said
she had apologized to some folks that she knew were there but did
know who all was affected by the action. She added that the biggest
problem was that the area at Soldier's Beach did not meet the state
requirements for a public swimming area.
The issue about swimming at the lake,
according to Marlene Potter, lake administrator, is that for a state-approved public swimming area several things are required. The area
must have no drop-offs, potholes, rocks, outcroppings, stumps or other
obstacles. In addition, depths and area must be conspicuously marked
and lifesaving equipment shall be available. Potter explained this
is why the lake says that officially swimming and all activities are at the participant's own risk.
Potter added that there had been several near-miss incidents between swimmers and boaters and she encouraged everyone to be careful.
Potter added that there had been several near-miss incidents between swimmers and boaters and she encouraged everyone to be careful.
In order to improve the swimming
situation to meet those requirements at Meadow Park Lake, additional
funding will be required.
Administrator Potter told the committee
about some incidents of possible homeless people living in the area
of the park and one out of town guest who discovered someone sleeping
in one of the showers at the bathhouse. The family was concerned
enough after the incident decided to not complete the remainder of
their week-long stay at the campground.
Other issues that have cropped up
before include the securing of a gate across the entrance to the park
area that is located on a county road making securing the gate a
potential problem. Ms. Potter will investigate a lock for the bathhouse that can be opened using a code to be given to campers when they
check-in.
Potter said she had talked to the
police chief about security a couple weeks ago and asked officers to
keep an eye out for homeless.
Chairman Loveday asked that if there
was an issue with questions of police department jurisdiction because
the lake property is not in the city limits, how can city ordinances
be enforced in the park. The Lake Commission has requested that
the city annex the lake into the city limits but that has not been
done as several questions remain about such action.
Member Levonn Hubbard said he wanted to
see big plans for the lake but some would be a problem if they can't
maintain security at the lake.
The Commission passed a motion by
member Levonn Hubbard that Ms. Potter investigate the installation of
an electronically operated gate at the park and what would be required
for such a gate. The motion was approved with one dissenting vote.
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