PHX Reporter

As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, Maricopa County is emphasizing the importance of safety during outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, and hiking. At a recent event at Lake Pleasant Regional Park, Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin of Maricopa County was joined by representatives from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the Parks and Recreation Department, and Arizona Game and Fish to share crucial safety information with residents and visitors.

"If you're planning to visit one of our beautiful County parks or lakes over Memorial Day Weekend, please enjoy responsibly and safely," urged Vice Chairman Galvin. "Even the most experienced boaters, swimmers, and hikers can fall victim to fatal boating accidents on our lakes or heat-related illnesses on our trails. These incidents can be prevented if we work together to put safety first."

Lake Pleasant Regional Park welcomed nearly 1.2 million people in 2023, making it the most visited park in the county. The upcoming Memorial Day Weekend signifies peak visiting season when cars line up for miles along Carefree Highway for their chance to enjoy the lake. Despite most park visitors being vigilant about safety, there were nine drownings in Maricopa County last year alone. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office assisted with 149 search and rescue missions — an increase of 44 from the previous year.

On May 16th, 2024, county officials held a press conference to remind the public about lake and trail safety. Sheriff Russ Skinner emphasized that accidents on water can occur unexpectedly. He advised against swimming alone, encouraged wearing personal floatation devices, limiting alcohol consumption, staying hydrated, never leaving children unattended near water and taking operator safety classes for new watercraft operators.

R.J. Cardin, Director of Maricopa County Parks & Recreation also highlighted that as temperatures rise so does the number of heat-related incidents on trails. He urged people to know their limits and develop a plan before heading out.

In preparation for Memorial Day Weekend, the county shared key safety tips for both lake and trail activities. These include avoiding swimming alone, never leaving children unattended near water, wearing a life jacket regardless of swimming experience, protecting oneself from the sun, staying hydrated, researching trails ahead of time, wearing appropriate gear while hiking, bringing necessary supplies such as water and snacks, informing someone about hiking plans and assessing weather conditions before bringing pets along.

The county advises anyone experiencing symptoms like a throbbing headache, a fever of over 103 degrees or nausea and vomiting to call 9-1-1 immediately and take steps to cool down.

For more information on planning a visit to one of Maricopa County’s 12 regional parks, visit MaricopaCountyParks.net.