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Did anyone hear about the drownings at Castlewood Park in St Louis County? |
Travel Info Ther was a horrible accident where some children had drown in the Meremac River at Castlewood State Park. How do you think this could be prevented from happening again? Do you think alcohol should be allowed in State Parks?I ask this because I saw alot of drinking going on at the boat ramp by the river where this accident occured and NO Park Rangers or St Louis County Police ever do anything about the riff raff drinking and littering the park. It has gotten out of control. The thugs have taken over this beautiful park and are destroying the natural beauty. Travel Tips Hi Boomer, and welcome to STL. The Meramec has loong history of being a taker of lives. My husband personally knows 3 people who have died on it. These specifically were people who did not know how to swim. I've been on many float trips on it and engaged in the cliff diving (under the influence of course, where else would I get such bravery/stupidity). What not many people don't know is that the Meramec, like downtown STL (and most of Missouri for that matter) has a huge network of underground caves and springs which feed the river. Sometimes these underwater caves in the bed of the river actually 'suck' and people have been pulled in and never found again. They create some sort of whirlpool effect. As for the poor kids who died, I think common sense was obviously NOT used. The church for one is primarily at fault. They should have known who could swim, and for those could not mandatory life jackets should have been supplied. There also should have been more adults (who could swim) certified in CPR watching the kids, and paired them in a 'buddy' system. The mother too, should have been more cautious. Would I send my kids who can't swim to a river known to be dangerous without taking precautions? I don't think so. As for the 'riff raff', I live close to this park and we frequent it regularly. What I see is bored teens looking for somewhere to hang. Personally, I see nothing wrong with that. There really isn't anywhere out here for our kids to go, or things to do out here. They're not 'thugs', just bored kids. Don't they need a place too? Long before you came here it has been a meeting place for teens to get away to. Hell, ever since my 90 year old uncle can even remember it has been so. No one that was born and raised here has ever had a problem with teens taking it over (and we're talking this was a FARM type churchy community). I also see park rangers regularly keeping an eye on things. The teens have never really caused any problems. As for the drinking, I see nothing wrong with that. If you're over 21, drink responsibly and behave accordingly then that's your business. My husband and I always take a cooler of beer and sodas, and enjoy relaxing, people watching, letting our lab swim to his hearts content, watching the kids play and frolick in the water. I hope people don't use this as an excuse to turn the park into a uptight no drinking/no fun place. People shouldn't litter, but I know I pay a hella lotta taxes to keep West Co. beautiful. Where people go there is always a by-product: trash. Park Rangers should step it up a bit and give out fines to the litter bugs. I have noticed some of the hoosier meth heads coming out, and unfortunately there's probably nothing could be done about that. All in all, it sounds like you may think the teens or riff raff, the trash, and the drinking all had something to do with these poor kids drowning. Not so. It was the responsibilty of the church group and the mom. Park Rangers aren't lifeguards. The parks department could try implementing a on-duty lifeguard and charge a small park entrance fee to guests to cover costs. I'm not sure when we'll go back, if ever. It just doesn't feel right. Maybe next year we'll go again, who knows. But for now its too soon. My kids do want to go and take flowers or something to honor the kids that died. Lots a shoulda's, but ultimately the responsiblity lies with the church. Just my two cents. P.S. are you naked in your picture????lol Others yes im from about an hour and a half south of st. louis and it was in our local paper. that is so sad for those kids and their families That is horrible. I remember a similar situation happening a few years back at another park. There just is not enough funding for park rangers to patrol everywhere. I don't know what the county brownies do these days. Years ago my Dad was one, and he always patrolled the parks. I'm in GA and I heard about it first on Steve and DC which I listen to on my computer in the mornings. Then I heard it on our local news here on the radio. How sad for those families! As far as preventing it ever happening again, being more careful seems the obvious answer. As for the riff raff and thugs... well... if I were having to deal with them and there was no help in sight I'd probably just go find another park to frequent. It's sad but if they're to rowdy to ignore that's one option. According to the story I just read, there have been 15 other fatal drownings in that area since 1991. The Parks and Recreation officers say that the area is not meant for swimming or wading of any sort and that they were not out there for such activities in the first place. It was supposed to be a barbecue with a community church. I think that perhaps posting signs and buoys in areas that have been considered dangerous could prevent people entering the water in unsafe areas. As far as the uncleanliness of the park, perhaps a group or business in the area can occasionally go and do a clean up like Adopt A Highway, or something similar. Such a shame that these things happen, but perhaps it'll open people's eyes more about the conditions of that area and how to make it better and safer for other groups on outings. ## Since when did the " Thugs " Take over? Question: If the Park Rangers / South County Police do'nt do some thing about the " Problem " , how about we just go about handling it our selves with the show of FORCE with hand guns? As an US Army Veterian of VEIT NAM , I would go in there ARMED WITH FIRE POWER ,and run the thugs OUT & never to return!I would tell then: Get out of this park and never return or get S.H.I.T Blowen away! You mess with the best-- You DIE SCUM BAG! Personally I think they need to outlaw swimming at this spot... there has been too many people drown there, including my brother back in '93. And my brother DID know how to swim. |
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