In a move reflecting an effort on safety, Monroe County/Toledo North KOA Holiday campground in Michigan has made the decision to permanently close its swimming lake. This action follows a series of unfortunate incidents, including the recent drowning of an 18-year-old.
“On July 5, the Monroe County/Toledo North KOA Holiday campground will permanently close the swimming lake on the property. While all other campground amenities and activities will remain open, we understand this may impact our guests. Therefore, we’re offering full refunds to guests who want to cancel their reservation between July 5 and September 4, 2023,” the Facebook post indicated.
This action, which marks the end of a lengthy advocacy campaign by a father of a near-drowning survivor underscores the increasing demand for enhanced safety protocols and measures in Michigan’s privately owned campgrounds.
Dave Snook, whose son narrowly escaped drowning at the lake four years ago, voiced a sigh of relief on hearing the news.
The incident left his son, Andy, then 13, requiring round-the-clock medical attention. “We were kind of relieved, excited, it’s a good first step,” Snook expressed, encapsulating a mix of emotions—relief, excitement, and a sense of accomplishment.
Despite his victory, Snook’s joy is tinged with regret. In the years following his son’s incident, two teenagers lost their lives in the same lake.
Jaylen Hill, a 15-year-old from Detroit, drowned in 2022, followed by the recent tragedy involving 18-year-old Anthony Shores of Ohio.
The decision to close the lake has not just been a symbolic one. Fire trucks have been actively deployed to drain the lake—an act Snook interprets as the campground’s belated realization of the inherent risk.
This series of unfortunate events has prompted a broader discussion about safety at campgrounds.
While the state boasts a rich diversity of natural beauty and recreational options, these incidents underscore a pressing need for enhanced safety measures and oversight.
Even as he battles a civil suit against KOA, Snook’s fight continues. He, along with his wife, is shouldering the high cost of their son’s care, aided in part by a GoFundMe campaign. Yet, he seeks more than just financial aid; he seeks a commitment to safety from campground operators.
Snook envisions a future where the KOA campground, rather than going out of business, can transform into a model of safety.
Suggestions include the installation of a monitored pool with trained lifeguards or an expansion of the campgrounds in the lake’s place.
