EDITORIAL: Don't foolishly risk your neck or jeopardize Cameron Park access for everybody else
Recent cold weather and heavy rains have caused a rock slide at Cameron Park that has blocked a section of a popular river trail. Nevertheless, park officials are doing all they can to keep the rest of the trail open and accessible to the public.
We should do everything we can to help them keep it open. That means staying off rocks and being wary of the great outdoors. It means being responsible for yourself.
We admit that we’ve been baffled by reports of families who have sued the city of Waco from injuries or deaths sustained after falls from the park’s distinctive cliffs.
Must we remind everyone that although that area lends itself to spectacular views of the Brazos and Bosque, park cliffs are high and dangerous? All should use caution while traversing the area, especially since shifting and eroding soil and rock can cause the earth to give way at any time.
Our 416-acre park is a sight to behold and enjoy. It’s a grand statement of nature that Waco boasts with pride. But it is also to be feared and respected.
With more than 20 miles of trails, it’s unfortunate the most popular, the River Trail, has been partially closed since a large chunk of an 80-foot cliff face collapsed onto it from Lovers Leap above this month.
The city is hiring a geo-tech firm to come up with a safe plan to re-open the section, city parks and recreation director Rusty Black told the Trib. Black and City Manager Larry Groth on Thursday toured the area by boat and saw the true magnitude of the recent rock slide. “It really is a pretty significant amount of rocks that have fallen and it’s going to be a challenge,” Black said.
One thought is to build a bridge from the fallen rocks out onto the water. That would allow the trail to continue but it wouldn’t work for horses and bicyclists.
Nevertheless, it’s a neat idea. Think of it like a natural dock over the river using recycling materials. How cool would that be?
Whatever they do, everyone needs to remember to be cautious while using the park. “Anytime you go out there, use your head,” Black said. Our sentiments exactly.
MORE IN EDITORIALS »
Magazine
New issue!
- Check out June's issue
- Summer swimwear, great teachers, El Conquistador & more
- Link: View the magazine as a virtual flipbook
In My Opinion
Buy, sell & more
Waco marketplace
- Boocoo auctions: Sell your stuff!
- WacoTribCars.com
- Jobs: Waco listings
- Real estate: Waco listings
- Buy & sell merchandise
- Classified ads for Waco
