A shortage of experienced lifeguards means the Bloedel Donovan Park swim area will have no lifeguards this summer, City officials announced today (Monday, June 24, 2024).
“Despite our many efforts, we don’t have enough senior experienced lifeguards to provide this service at Bloedel Donovan Park this summer,” said Bellingham Parks & Recreation Director Nicole Oliver. “Shortages of lifeguards, especially those with adequate experience and credentials for open water swimming, are causing swim beach and pool limitations and closures across the country.”
Community members are asked to use extra caution while visiting the popular park, both because the swim area is open with no lifeguards and due to construction underway in and near the park.
Shortage of experienced lifeguards
Experienced lifeguards have monitored the Bloedel Donovan swim area beginning the first week of July for the past three summers. A shortage of experienced lifeguards has made it impossible to offer the service this year, Oliver said.
The park will be open for swimming without lifeguards. Minors should always be supervised by an adult while swimming in the lake. Personal floatation devices are encouraged for all swimmers and boaters. Oliver said signs are being added throughout the park to ensure visitors are aware there are no lifeguards and park ambassadors will be available during peak hours to provide first aid and other assistance.
Open water swimming beaches must be staffed by senior level lifeguards, Oliver said, because of the crowded conditions, needs for advanced rescue skills, lack of water clarity, and other factors.
Construction projects also impacting the park
Community members are also asked to use extra caution and patience as construction proceeds in and around the Bloedel Donovan Park. Necessary building maintenance and upgrades and water quality improvements are underway in the park. The Electric Avenue bridge is also limited to one lane of traffic near the park.
The park and boat launch are open for regular operation, boat inspections are occurring as usual, and the grass field is available for overflow parking.
Construction within the park is expected to be completed this fall, with updates available on the project webpage. Planning is underway for reconstruction of the nearby Electric Avenue bridge, with lane closure and bridge restrictions currently in place. Park visitors should expect congestion, delays and parking limitations and should consider walking, biking, busing or carpooling.
City aquatics programs
Summer lifeguards were re-instituted at the Bloedel Donovan Park swim beach in 2021, along with the opening of a new swim dock, after they were discontinued in 2005. Hiring enough experienced lifeguards for open water swimming has been a challenge every year since 2021, Oliver said, even with hiring bonuses, additional recruiting efforts and the availability of skilled long-term staff.
Oliver said lifeguards at the park’s swim area is part of the department’s aquatics program that includes operating the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center. It takes 35 lifeguards to fully staff both locations, she said, and the City currently has less than half the number of experienced staff needed to offer lifeguard services at the busy park and keep the Aquatic Center open.
This year, several experienced lifeguards moved on to jobs in different fields or left Bellingham after graduating, she said. “We are working to rebuild our lifeguard team, but it takes time, and we are out of time to make it work this year.”
“The core mission of our aquatics program is to teach people the life-saving skill of swimming,” Oliver said. “We will focus this summer on swim lessons, fitness programs and open swim hours at the pool. We look forward to a busy summer at the Aquatic Center, and we will continue building our lifeguard team in hopes of being back at Bloedel Donovan Park next summer.”
