Thursday, March 28, 2024

Life jackets can save lives, and you can too

Posted

BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY

 

Kyle Lewis is the Lake Granbury project manager/program coordinator for the Brazos River Authority.

School is back in session, but that doesn't mean water fun has ended.  And, anytime children are on or near water, a lifejacket is a necessity. 

But there can be ... circumstances … where life jackets are concerned.  Maybe as you arrive at the lake, you realize you've forgotten one. Or, you only plan to be out on the water for one day and don't want to buy one ... or maybe you just can't afford one. 

That's OK, because two local organizations have you covered:  the Brazos River Authority (BRA) and the city of Granbury.

The BRA provides free children's life jackets to the general public in May of each year at our Water Safety Awareness event. If all are not given away, they may be obtained by calling the Lake Granbury office at 817-573-3212. 

Another option for a child's life jacket is the free life jacket loaner program sponsored by the city of Granbury.  Located at the Granbury City Beach, the loaner station provides life jackets you can use.  All you need to do is borrow one and bring it back by the end of the day. 

VIRTUAL 5K RUN

In fact, to keep this loaner program rolling, the city is hosting a virtual Lake Fest 5k Run between now and midnight, Oct. 2, 2021. Proceeds will go toward supplying jackets to be used at the free loner stand and for facility maintenance.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of death nationwide for children 14 years old and younger.

But, life jacket use is vitally important for youths and adults alike. The rate for drowning in open water triples for those over age 15. Teens, in particular, are often unaware of risky behavior and often have no fear.

So, with this information in mind, you may be wondering how you can support our local life jacket loaner program by running virtually.

By finding a place you and your friends would enjoy running, walking, or jogging 3.1 miles.

Whether that's around the neighborhood, through a park, or along the lake, the virtual event allows participants to move at their own pace, in their own space.

Participants will record their time and send it in to officials to receive a shirt and a medal. According to the city's website, participants can even run the original route across the beach, around the pier, behind the conference center, and along the boardwalk. The route continues through Hewlett Park and down Bridge Street, where it connects to the hike and bike trail. Stay on the trail until reaching Shanley Park and then turn around to travel the same path back to the finish line.

The registration fee is $30.

City Beach, on Pearl Street, is owned and operated by the city of Granbury. If you're looking for another place to log those 3.1 miles, the Brazos River Authority has five other public use amenities on the reservoir.

There's no excuse not to wear a life jacket.

To register for the event, go online (https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Granbury/GranburyStPatricksDay5K).

information@brazos.org