Lacey removes popular dock due to dangers, 46 rescues

Following nearly 50 lifeguard rescues in the swimming area at Long Lake Park, city of Lacey officials announced they’re removing the popular dock.

“It's definitely one of the better parts of the summer. Everyone comes here, you see people you know here all the time, so it's really fun,” said Savannah Ott.

"There's a lot of memories out here, a lot of history. A lot of people I know grew up here, this was the summer spot,” said William Engle.

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Lacey Parks and Recreation Director Jen Burbidge said they’re removing the dock to keep people safe.

"The data just kind of speaks for itself. We've had 46 rescues and primarily those, if you look at the map of the rescues, they're all primarily around the dock, that shows us the dock is definitely a safety issue,” she said.

Burbidge said data shows no one's drowned in the swimming area in recent years, but with 17,000 visitors a year, they don't want to take any chances.

The city recently hired a contractor to look at the swimming area. They're worried about people diving into the shallow water, getting trapped under the dock and lifeguards not being able to see swimmers on the other side.

Crews also plan to add a security camera and take out other dangers hiding in the water.

"There's bundled up geotextile fabric underneath that we'll be cutting up and removing and also some cement blocks and some logs for safety reasons,” said Burbidge.

People can still swim at Long Lake Park, they’ll just have to get in the water at the shore.

"It's going to pretty much eliminate anyone coming here," said Alex Teas.

"I'll probably still come here, I'll probably just be sad I can't jump off the deep end,” said Ott.

The swimming season officially starts June 22.

The dock will be removed in April or May. It will be moved to Long’s Pond and become a fishing dock at Woodland Creek Community Park.

Cox Media Group