Swimming in the quarry could work

Marion and I recently visited our daughter and son-in-law in Boise, Idaho. Boise and Cedar Rapids have two features that are nearly identical, but a different policy that prevents ours from being used. Boise and Cedar Rapids have a paved bicycling/hiking trail along the river that goes right by a former sand quarry, now filled with clear, clean water.

Boise not only allows, but encourages, people to swim in their quarry. Cedar Rapids bans it. The quarry in Boise was filled with people. Some swimming, some sitting on the beach.

Because the lake is a former sand quarry, there is a nice, clean sand beach and kids were playing in the sand. Boise placed some porta johns and portable changing rooms.

Allowing unsupervised, at-your-ow-risk swimming enables a beach to be open when the weather is very hot, but it's late season, pools are closed and lifeguards are back to school.

It also is very low cost to the recreation department, as there is no need to pay lifeguards.

Sven Leff, Cedar Rapids director of parks and recreation, said he favors this. Might be something to keep an eye on.

Rich Patterson

Cedar Rapids