"NO" What?

The sauna business at Oakdale Park seems to have taken on a life of its own, free from the park's rules and any oversight from the city.  This should come as no surprise since our Youth Department is in charge of maintaining the park -- yes, even in the winter.  

But it's not just that the woman behind Big Towel assured the Common Council last year that her sauna customers would not be allowed in the lake to cool down.  It's not just that they always post a NO SWIMMING sign on the beach yet still allow their customers in the water. (Shouldn't the sign be in front of the large hole in the ice?)  It's not just that the Big Towel people break the ice on the lake to allow their customers access to the frigid water.  All of that is reprehensible.  What is really galling to me is that common folk residents ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE ICE NOR IN THE WATER WHEN A LIFEGUARD IS NOT PRESENT -- AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR.  These are two of the well-posted park rules that we are all expected to abide by.  Unless, of course, you are a non-profit startup business that has been given permission by the city to occupy half of the beach at Oakdale for the winter and to do as you please, regardless of assurances or rules.

On Saturday during my short stay in the park, I came across Big Towel's loud gas generator.  I heard it well before I saw it.  They had placed it on the other side of the bathhouse near the parking lot and entrance to the beach so that they didn't have to hear it blaring away all day.  (I wonder if the owner of the house 75 feet away minded.)  And they also conveniently left the can of gasoline next to the generator.  So thoughtful, respectful, attractive and appropriate for our largest and wildest public park and its patrons!