Lifeguards eliminated at Silver Lake; parents uneasy with new safety measures

EVERETT -- Fifteen lifeguards once kept watch each season at Silver Lake, but now there are none.  The lifeguards were eliminated as a cost-saving measure.

And in their place is a small shack with life jackets and rescue rings for swimmers.

Parents are not thrilled with the new safety measures.

“My son is 6 years old. I know there's life vests available, but that's not enough. On weekends when it’s sunny out and it gets crowded I need extra eyes. I mean everybody needs extra eyes,” says Kayla Harris.

“The last six years, we've spent an average of $55,000 a year to run this program and most of that is for season labor lifeguard cost,” says Paul Kaftanski with Everett’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The city is eliminating lifeguards at Silver Lake, after the mayor ordered a team of city staffers to figure out how to save money.

“This is a non-lifeguarded beach. This was the last beach in Snohomish County to be lifeguarded. The state parks, the county parks have been lifeguard-free for many years,” says Kaftanski.



Signs are posted warning that no lifeguards are on duty.

“We think the water is safe. It’s a wading pool really. The netting is attached from that dock, to that buoy, to that buoy and then it comes in to the shoreline. So there’s about 200 feet width wise and it goes out about 50 feet,” says Kaftanski.

Ultimately, it’s up to parents to watch their kids very closely.

"I’m kind of upset. I used to come here all the time as a kid and there was always a big bench right here with lifeguards walking around all the time. I notice now that there's nothing. It’s hard. It’s really hard. I just can't depend on anybody else, I guess, besides myself,” says parent Tara Lenien.​

The park is open daily from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.

If you're not comfortable with the water, Kaftnaski says, there are other options like nature trails, picnic areas and a playground. Just be sure to keep an eye on your kids and make sure they are suited up properly before they get in the water.