Nearly 200 Residents Walk in Support of Crystal Lake 'Swim at Your Own Risk'

Despite a bit of rainy weather, nearly 200 residents showed up to . 

According to a press release issued by Open Crystal Lake, Sunday's "Let's Make a Splash" event included a walk around the lake as well as a rally at Cronin's Cove. Residents also crafted homemade signs and sang along to "This Lake is Your Lake" (to the tune of "This Land is Your Land").

The group argues that the current area at Crystal Lake allowed for swimming, combined with the restricted time that area is open, "does not meet the needs of swimmers." 

In the press release, Open Crystal Lake continued to underline its mission:

Supporters left feeling energized by the unexpectedly large turnout and optimistic that those responsible for the governance of Crystal lake are coming to the realization that they now have to find a reasonable solution to an unreasonable status quo, in which excessive police resources are expended in a fruitless effort to keep swimmers out of the lake.

Currently, swimming at Crystal Lake is restricted to a roped-off area near the intersection of Rogers Street and Lake Avenue. That area is open from mid-June to mid-August and is staffed with a lifeguard. Neighbors abutting the lake are also allowed to swim in areas next to their property. 

But swimming in other sections of the lake, including the popular Cronin's Cove, is prohibited. 

The Open Crystal Lake group developed a swim at your own risk proposal for Crystal Lake and presented it to the Parks & Recreation Commission in February. According to that proposal, the group is requesting swimming be permitted in Cronin's Cove and Levingston Cove from May 1 to October 31 for unsupervised swimmers age 16 and older. (Those under 16 should be accompanied by a parent).

Following the swim at your own risk presentation to the Parks & Recreation Commission, a subcommittee was formed to look at developing an ordinance for civil fines at the lake, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Bob DeRubeis told Patch earlier this month.

DeRubeis said the committee believes a civil fine ordinance must be worked out before a swim at your own risk policy is considered.