Swimming in new NW Bend park’s ‘lake’ carries risk

Since Discovery Park in northwest Bend opened to the public in early June, people have been drawn to the park’s irrigation lake for water play. That prompted a Bend Park and Rec District warning Monday that it’s really an irrigation pond and could pose health issues.

“When the lake was first filled, it was clear and the weather was hot,” said park district Executive Director Don Horton. “It attracted a lot of people.”

Park district rules don’t forbid water play in the three-acre ake, located in the NorthWest Crossing neighborhood. But the district said it “wants to alert people that continued heat, plant and algae growth and the introduction of people into the water could bring about water quality issues.”

Word of the park district’s advisory sparked concern with a regular park visitor Monday evening.

Kimberly Crosky expressed frustration that the signs about the water should have been up for weeks.

“I was here when this parked just opened, before school let out. It was all moms and 2-year-olds and babies, all in that water,” she said. “his just does not belong — a setup like this in a neighborhood environment.”

Crosky also says they have bathrooms, a pavilion and an exploration for children, making the park completely inviting.

“If this was a (stormwater) retention basin, there should’ve been a fence around it and a sign posted saying, ‘Swim at your own risk — contaminated water,'” she said. “Not places to play. It’s been weeks and weeks. People should not have been swimming in this.”

Because of heavy human use, the park district said it has called upon the help of the Deschutes County Health Department and Umpqua Research Company to test the water on a weekly basis for E. coli and total coliform bacteria.

Should testing indicate a need to close the lake, signage will be posted.

“Though the district is having the water tested, it is not being tested for all water-related diseases. People recreating in the lake should do so knowing that the lake was built for irrigation and the water is not potable (drinkable),” said Park Services Director Pat Erwert..

The lake was designed as an irrigation pond and stormwater retention basin for the park and roads surrounding the lake, officials said The water comes from an on-site well, as well as runoff from heavy rainstorms.

“People should be aware that the water is untreated, and if they choose to recreate in it, to do so at their own risk,” Horton said.

The beach, children’s natural play structure and ‘river maker’ playground were designed for children to enjoy explorative play, officials said.

A fishing platform (resembling a dock) was built, but due to recent popularity of the park, fish have not been introduced. Fishing is not allowed at this time.

Once the vegetation has matured, the lake will better resemble a natural pond, such as the fishing ponds at Pine Nursery and Shevlin parks, the park district said.

NewsChannel 21’s Facebook page also has had dozens of comments since the news was posted, many upset about the lake/pond’s setup and some saying they now know why family members had gotten sick after using it.

Additional information on Discovery Park is available at the District’s website at http://www.bendparksandrec.org/Current_Projects/Park-Projects/Discovery_Park/.