Fix death traps
Randy Ariey's May 30 Community Voices article, "How to prevent more park drownings," regarding the tragic deaths at the Park at River Walk was excellently written. Ariey clearly emphasizes the potential for more drownings in these unrealistically deep bodies of water, reportedly as much as 12 feet.
Whose idea was it to place bodies of water of such unreasonable depth in a park?
Surely the Bakersfield Parks and Recreation Department can figure a way to lessen the depth of the water to a more sensible figure, maybe three feet? Backyard pools must be fenced -- very sensible.
Before more precious lives are lost in these death traps, we as citizens must entreat the City Council to order a speedy reduction of the depth of these lakes. Even accomplished adult swimmers would be at risk in water this deep.
The arrival of real summer weather will likely prove tempting to more children and adults. The safety of our children should be most important to all of us.
MILLIE DIFFENBAUGH
Bakersfield
