Many people are getting back out on the lakes and rivers this weekend as Memorial Day represents the unofficial start to summer.
Riley County Game Warden Ben Jedlicka with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, says it’s a good time to remind residents to execute caution and have a life jacket.
“Everybody in a boat which includes kayaks, canoes, paddle boards — each one of those must have a wearable life jacket on board,” he said.
The goal he says is to prevent drownings. So far in 2021 Jedlicka says his office has seen zero drownings.
“I’d sure like to keep it that way. It’s a terrible tragic thing when someone drowns and we’ve seen it almost every year,” he said.
Jedlicka says those not wearing a life jacket on a vessel will be ticketed.
Tuttle Creek State Park acting manager Levi Gantenbein says loaner life jackets are available for rent at the River Pond gatehouse.
“We just ask that you bring them back. Also at the marina at the Cedar Ridge area, there’s a life jacket loaner station. They’re just hanging on the wall there. We lost quite a bit of them last year. Last year was the first year for that program, so if you have them from last year, we’d appreciate if you bring them back,” he said.
In terms of camping this weekend, that is at a premium. In fact, anyone hoping for a utility campsite this weekend is out of luck, though primitive camping is still available.
“We’ve been full on campsites for the last two weeks now and we’re looking like we’re going to be full the weekend after Memorial Day too,” he said.
Reservations are strongly encouraged if you plan to camp at Tuttle Creek State Park this summer. Fancy Creek, another option for campers also now has hot showers available on site.
