HIGH RIDGE, Mo. (KMOX)--Two people drowned in the Big River at Rockford Beach Park last summer. The County Council in Jefferson County voted Monday night to remove "beach" from the title with the hopes of getting less out-of-town visitors. Officials claim people have been finding the park by searching for beaches online and heading to Rockford Park.
District 5 Councilman Scott Seek from Festus voted against the bill to rename the park claiming it did not go far enough. Although there are signs posted warning of a dangerous under current throughout Rockford Park, Seeks wants a swimming ban.
"On this bill, I just don't think it goes far enough," said Seek before the vote. "If I go to Lake of the Ozarks and swim around Bagnell Dam, I'm not allowed to do that because it's dangerous. I'm not allowed to go in a lot of different places because there are dangers present. I can swim in other areas but I can't swim where there's danger. So when the next person drowns and is held under by that undercurrent and when they die, I voted no on this for that reason."
District 4 Councilman Charles Groteke of Imperial, who voted in favor of the name change bill, says he's looking into other options besides a swimming ban at Rockford Park.
"Mr. Executive, I'm investigating some possible solutions to this," said Groteke speaking with to County Executive Dennis Gannon. "And I'll be working with your office and myself to come up with some solutions other than limiting our citizens, who like to use that park, from enjoying that facility. Thank you."
Rockford Park formerly "Rockford Beach Park."KMOX
Rockford Park closed after the first drowning last summer until a new protocol implemented to limit the amount of people in the park. So many people were parking illegally, authorities said, it was sometimes impossible for ambulances to get to the water for rescues. When it reopened, a sheriff's deputy was on site with the authority to turn away people at the gate if there were too many visitors.
