North Ogden Neighbors

Detention Basin/Beach

The Bad and the Ugly: in a Nutshell

• #1 CONCERN: CHILD SAFETY

The proposed basin is in the heart of neighborhoods and schools of children, many of which walk home from school and play unattended. 

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I attended the city's Open House on June 26th and had the opportunity to talk to the engineers about their plans for the detention basin side of the project. They explained that the basin will be about 14 feet deep, will be open for recreational use, and will most likely be full most of the year-- if not all year (like a pond). The beach area will be about 4 feet deep toward the middle.

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The beach/basin will have fencing around the entire area, and will be locked at night, but people (including children) will have open access during the day. As of now, the city has no plan for paid supervision or lifeguards.

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I sent an email to Mayor Chugg and the Council Members yesterday about the dangers of drownings, and I'd like to share that email here for your information:

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"I am very concerned about the proposed detention basin and beach that is going to be located in the heart of a neighborhood of children. I love the idea of the project, but please don’t put it where kids are roaming and playing. I’m a stay-at-home mom, and I get to see first-hand how many small children in this area are unattended. I have personally had to return neighbor children to their homes because I’ve found them in the street, on multiple occasions, and to different homes. I handed Mayor Chuggs a petition yesterday evening about hoping to build a regular park and playground in the field instead of a beach, because many families in our neighborhood are worried about the safety of the children who do or will play here. In case you weren’t aware: 'Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children in Utah, according to the Utah Department of Health... [and] just under half of child drownings in Utah happen in open bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, streams and reservoirs' (https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900020747/recent-child-drowning-incidents-raise-awareness-for-vigilance-near-water.html). I have provided you with some news articles (from June 2018 alone!) as evidence of the frequency of drownings from our State. 

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https://www.ksl.com/article/46350599/utah-toddler-drowns-in-idaho-canal

https://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4632794

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46349598&nid=148

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46349369&nid=148

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46349600&nid=1419&title=officials-release-name-of-utah-boy-missing-in-teton-river

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46345703&nid=148

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46344377&nid=148

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[Is this not enough argument to reconsider this project?]

I understand the necessity of a detention basin in the field, and I’m not trying to prevent that. I would ask that you please do what has been done before: properly fence it and don’t allow public access to it. If you feel inclined to build something in the field to benefit the city, a playground and nature area would be a wonderful addition. We have no park within walking distance for children in our area, and it would be useful all year long, instead of seasonally. Our neighborhood is also growing with the addition of town-homes, so even more children could appreciate a park. 

A playground would also cost significantly less to build and maintain than a beach and basin.

And, as you’re all aware, North Shore is struggling financially, so does it make sense for the city to add a competing water area across the street? 

I appreciate that you are hoping to get the most from your deal with Pineview, but please thoughtfully consider if it is worth the risk to children’s lives and the long-term costs to maintain a beach. I have done my best to get this message to the neighborhood and Council, because I do not believe a beach is worth even losing one life to. If any one of you feel conflicted about this project, please, please, speak out and do something to help."

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(End of email)

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I received an email today from a North Ogden resident about swimmer's itch being a potential problem with the detention basin/beach. Evidently, ducks spread swimmer's itch from water to water, and given the fowl crowding at Bicentennial Park, it's highly probable that many of those birds (and others) will make the detention basin their new home. I personally love ponds and birds, but not in a swimming spot-- especially not when they may carry swimmer's itch. No one wants to swim in a bird bath.

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Speaking of pests, I also spoke with an environmental representative at the Open House, and she said the city will have to implement some form of mosquito repellent/deterrent, but that the city does not yet have a plan for this.​ She said that churning water (moving the water from beach to basin) will help somewhat in mosquito prevention, but that it won't be enough.

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No one knows what the situation will be like at this beach/basin, but I'm sure we've all experienced the Salt Lake and Willard Bay bug problems...

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For those who still aren't convinced...

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• Costs for building the beach area and facilities are already over a million dollars!  (Please see image above). That's not including maintenance costs!

True, Pineview is offering to help with some of this project, but does that include the upkeep, or is that left to North Ogden residents (i.e. taxes)? 

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​Think North Ogden has the funds for that? Please keep reading...

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North Shore (literally across the street) has an over $400K/year deficit, and tax money will be supplementing that loss. Creating a free beach will surely mean less business for North Shore.

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North Ogden city proposed an additional $700K for the Amphitheater project it is still completing. The city has, thankfully, nixed that request for now; but to make the most of the Amphitheater, like the city would like, it will eventually cost more money.(http://www.standard.net/Politics/2018/06/05/North-Ogden-officials-mull-700-000-more-in-spending-for-amphitheater-upgrades). 

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If you feel motivated to make a change in our great city, please consider attending the City Council meetings and letting your voice be heard by emailing the Mayor and Council at: CCMM@nogden.org. I hope you'll also voice your opinion (yea or nay) about the proposed beach. Your opinion does matter and can help bring about changes. 

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Thanks so much for your time.

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Feel free to email me at: nellibelly05@yahoo.com if you have any comments (nice ones, only, please!), questions, or input for the site. I'll try to get back to you.

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