SHELLEY A. REDFIELD
Indiana Daily Student
Memorial Day weekend marks the opening of several public pools and beaches in and around Bloomington. Water lovers can also rent many types of watercrafts on local lakes.
Closest to home, Bryan Park Pool, 1100 S. Woodlawn Ave., and Mills Pool, 1100 W. 14th St., opens Saturday. Bryan Park Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Mills Pool hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Each pool offers a unique facility and atmosphere. Bryan Park Pool has a 165-foot waterslide, and the pool itself is 50 meters in length. A double tube slide, two lap lanes, concession stand, wading pool, handicapped chair lift and 1-meter board are also featured.
Mills Pool is 25 meters in length with a zero-depth entry, splash wall, lap lane, 1-meter board and double tube slide. It also offers a quieter, less crowded venue.
"If you're trying to avoid large groups, you might want to try Mills Pool," said Penni Sims, marketing specialist for the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. "It's a nice pool for people who want to go and not be bothered by the crowds."
For those who prefer lakes, Griffy Lake, 3500 N. Hinkle Road is a few blocks northeast of the stadium. Although swimming is not allowed, visitors may rent rowboats and canoes for $3.50/hour to take in the serenity of the lake.
Another quiet location is the lake at Yellowwood State Forest, Yellowwood Lake Road, Nashville, Ind. Private concessionaires rent 14-foot aluminum rowboats for $2/hour (plus $1/hour charge for life jackets) Friday-Monday. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday and Monday. The Forest Service handles rentals during the rest of the week for an all-inclusive charge of $2.50/hour plus tax.
Lake Lemon, owned by the City of Bloomington, also rents boats from Riddle Point Beach. Fees vary for boat rental, and there is a $1 entrance fee for swimming and fishing. The Marina is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April through October.
Although Monroe County is land locked, several beaches along Lake Monroe are suited for the summer. Paynetown Beach and Fairfax Beach are administered by the state, and Hardin Ridge Beach is administered by the National Forest system. Entry costs $2 per car load or 50 cents per person on foot.
Lake Monroe also offers the area's largest selection of rental boats. Private concessionaires rent several types of pontoon boats, ski boats, jet skis, motorized fishing boats, canoes, rowboats, kayaks and paddleboats at various sites around the lake, including Cutright State Recreation Area and the campground store at the Paynetown State Recreation Area Rental fees vary from $5/hour for canoes, rowboats and kayaks to more than $200 for eight hours on a ski boat. Gas fees and deposits vary, and many accessories are also available to rent. Boat rental begins at 6:30 a.m.
A large number of boaters are expected on Lake Monroe this weekend.
"This is one of the busiest weekends on the busiest lake in Indiana," said Philip Wilson, reservoir specialist at the Paynetown State Recreation Area.
Because of the crowds on the weekends, some people prefer visiting Lake Monroe on weekdays.
"We rented it (a pontoon boat) on a Friday afternoon, which was the perfect time," graduate student Diane Wagrowski said. "There weren't very many people on the lake at the time."
Wagrowski said the cost was reasonable when split among the 20 people in their group. Since the boat had two levels, a grill and a waterslide, "it was really worth the money," she said.
Whether splashing or silence is the desired object, the Bloomington area offers a wealth of opportunities for swimming, boating and fishing.