Parks Life Jacket Program

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Washington County Parks are home to some of the cleanest waters in the Minnesota metropolitan area. Two of the most popular swimming locations within the county are Big Marine Park Reserve’s beach on Big Marine Lake and the swim pond at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The chlorinated swim pond at Lake Elmo Park Reserve features a sand bottom and zero depth entry. It is a popular destination for families from across the Minnesota metropolitan area. Big Marine Park Reserve’s swimming beach features a gradual entry that is great for summer recreation on a natural body of water. It is estimated that more than 28,000 people visit these beaches each summer.To help keep park visitors safe, especially younger children learning to swim and the growing diverse populations who may not be comfortable safely swimming in Minnesota lakes and other waters, county departments joined with local non-profit organizations to develop life jacket loaner stations. Life jacket loaner stations are highly-visible contained stations that house lifejackets in a variety of sizes that are available to borrow for free while spending time at the beach. The implementation of the stations have been a major improvement in the amenities offered at these beaches. A non-profit, Safe Kids Council-Greater East Metro/St Croix Valley, and community non-profits and for-profit businesses worked together to raise money to purchase life jackets that are available for free loans to keep park visitors safe, and promote recreational swimming in Washington County Parks.