A city of Kent Parks Department employee marks off the swim area at Lake Meridian Park. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

A city of Kent Parks Department employee marks off the swim area at Lake Meridian Park. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

City of Kent prepares Lake Meridian Park for swimmers

Swim area marked off, beach groomed as hot weather hits the area

Swimmers are expected to return to Lake Meridian Park in Kent with Sunday, June 20, being the official start to summer and high temperatures predicted to be near or in the 80s for this weekend and most of next week.

The city of Kent won’t provide any lifeguards this summer due to a lack of applicants for the jobs. But city Parks Department crews last week groomed the swim beach and marked off the swim area for people to enjoy.

“Our park operations team has prepped the beach and swim area at Lake Meridian Park for summer,” according to the city Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

With no lifeguards on duty, the Parks Department plans to offer weekly water safety tips starting June 24 on its Facebook page in an effort to keep people aware of what to do and what not to do in the water.

Kent is supposed to hit highs near 80 this weekend and in the 80s next week, possibly hitting 90 on Monday according to the National Weather Service.

The city didn’t offer a lifeguard program last summer due to COVID-19. Many people still hit the popular beach and swim area on sunny, hot days. Lake Meridian Park is at 14800 SE 272nd St.

The city canceled its Fourth of July Splash event at Lake Meridian Park for the second consecutive year due to COVID-19.




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