JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. — Jackson County Parks and Rec will open Blue Springs Lake Beach to the public this weekend after delaying their original opening day due to a lifeguard shortage.
“We didn't have enough lifeguards, and we did not open our our beach facilities until we have those lifeguards that can sit in those stands and keep you safe,” Tina Spallo, superintendent of recreation for Jackson County Parks and Rec, said.
This is the earliest Jackson County has been able to open Blue Springs Lake Beach in the last three years.
The county had to close down the beach in 2021 because of a lifeguard shortage and last year they opened up the beach mid-summer.
Spallo said part of the problem is competing against indoor pools and public pools for lifeguards.
“For us to be able to fill up all of our positions is just really an overwhelming joy to us, because we want to offer our residents and citizens here in Jackson County the best facilities in the safest manner,” Spallo said.
Spallo credited KSHB’s previous coverage of the lifeguard shortage for helping spur applications with at least two lifeguards applying for positions after the story aired, including Madison House who will be a lifeguard at Blue Springs beach.
The beach attracts 500 to 600 visitors each weekend with Longview Lake Beach seeing the most foot traffic.
"I'm a college student so coming back home trying to find a summer job is a bit challenging and I was watching the morning news having my cup of coffee and I saw that they were recruiting lifeguards and had previous experience and so I thought it was the perfect fit,” House said.
