@radiofreegeorgy @CarlinJulia@BostonGlobe Absolutely- Julia and I talked about how, as I told her, there are many, many people more knowledgeable and more part of the open water swimming community than I am, and how while I can share my own perspective, all those other people can add so much more!
I’m not alone in saying that my mental and physical health is deeply tied to being able to swim at Walden. Our access to nature is increasingly restricted, to the great detriment to our health. This new restriction, made without warning and without community input, is unthinkable
80% of children in families making less than $50,000 don’t know how to swim.
Black children are 3.6x more likely to drown than a white children.
We need access to lessons, water safety, and resources, not fines.
@erika4rep @MassDCR@MassGovernor@senjehlen@CharlieBakerMA Thank you, Rep. Uyterhoeven! I completely agree, responses like the ones you’ve listed are MUCH better solutions to the problems we’re seeing, and might even help promote more open and equitable access to nature in our communities.
@Greenwood617 It’s so true that our natural areas are so inaccessible to so many of our communities. Those of us who usually get to enjoy are those of us with many layers of privilege. This is still the case at Walden but it’s at least better than most.
@MassGovernor And yet, if this were about safety there are potential solutions that would be both workable AND would not infringe on our communities. To increase this fine, enforce the fines, and limit swimming to tiny, unswimable areas like the ropes off areas of Walden Pond is unacceptable.
@MassGovernor@MassEEA@MassDCR This has nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with minimizing the government’s liability risk. True safety would look like education, creative solutions, and empowering people and communities.
@VinnieTesla@seangarballeyMA@MassDCR Absolutely. No public input in making this massive decision, and no public input once they posted. It’s absolutely ridiculous.