Lovely swimming spot must stay open

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Regarding the Aug. 12 article on the Jordan bridge traffic (“Parking a big irritation):

I have lived about a mile from the Jordan Bridge most of my life. My family and I have enjoyed countless hot summer days at the beach below the bridge. In July and August the water is clear and clean, and the deep channel is a great swim and refreshing as a beach in Hawaii.

In the late 1950s, I recall watching the farmer on the Burn Road side drive his tractor across his hand-built suspension bridge. As a teen, I remember jumping from the bridge for a risky, but unforgettable, experience. In the years since then, the park has provided a great place close by to cool off during hot summer days. It was unforgettable when the county rebuilt the old bridge into a new, sturdy, good-looking structure. Can you blame people for enjoying this nice bend in the Stilliguamish?

In recent years I have witnessed teen drinking and park rules that needed to be enforced.

A county park ranger showed up occasionally on weekends and cracked down on violators and that was good.

People have enjoyed this unusual, deep and refreshing swimming hole probably since the beginning of time. Even if it is not an official county park, it should remain open. The River Meadows Park nearer Arlington is a nice park, but the quality of swimming cannot compare because the water is so shallow.

I understand there are problems associated with insufficient parking spaces at the bridge. The sheriff should ticket cars parked too close to the road and let the lady charge $5 for parking in her hayfield. But let’s face it, there are probably two weekends a year that things get so crowded. Everyone should give a little and let it go.

Dave Ingebright

Arlington