Swimming in North Twin Lake in Grand Traverse County could cost you $100 this summer. New rules for the lake allow park employees to write tickets if someone swims outside the designated swim area.
Swimming in the lake beyond the marked area has been against county rules for two years, but the county created a new ordinance this winter so the sheriff’s department does not need to be involved in enforcement.
Parks director Kristine Erickson says it is now a civil infraction.
“This way there can be more instant enforcement when a park ranger’s on duty and someone is swimming outside the designated swim area,” she says.
Erickson was not aware of any enforcement of the rule by police in the past.
There are no rules prohibiting swimming at other Grand Traverse County parks like Maple Bay Park or Power Island.
Three people drowned in North Twin Lake within four years. The most recent death occurred in 2013.
Erickson says if people don’t like the rule they should talk with the Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Commission.
“A few people already have,” she says. “Commissioners have been very firm about the fact that they want that rule there and they want it to be enforced.”
The county has taken other steps since the drowning deaths, like starting a new swim safety program for high schools students in Traverse City.
