Fear of Water

Today I began my little exercise routine – some stretches (stretches courtesy our local PBS station; Esmonde Technique), and a walk that seemed r.e.a.l.l.y. long to me.

That’s ok that the walk felt long. I’ve been a bit under the weather and it’s good to feel the wind in my hair, see the beauty of nature, hear the birds, and know that those muscles unused are getting a good workout.

As to working out, I don’t do much crazy working out – more low-impact than wild jumping around. When I walk in the morning, I like to do it by a river and will choose several different locations. I do have a favorite though, and it’s a Dayton location.

Which brings me to this – Yes, I know Dayton has Riverscape, the beautifully outfitted recreational area downtown near Fifth Third Field where the Dragons play. It’s Dayton’s premier area for riverfront activities, and helps the vibrancy of the downtown area. Doesn’t hurt to have something nice to see prior to or after the Dragons games, or a place for citydwellers to have lunch, watch the water, ice skate in winter or play in the play-fountain in summer.

Yet there are more areas where Dayton could develop waterfront activities. Along the Stillwater River, there are tennis facilities near Triangle Park, there’s Deweese Parkway and Wegerzyn Garden Center… yet very little actual access to the river. Yes, there’s Island Park where concerts may be held, yet few areas where people can languish on a sunny day and look out at a river that’s within 5 feet of them…

Bear with me – here’s what I mean – If there were several outcroppings that are cantilevered over the river, people could stand on them or sit on benches, and enjoy being as close to the river as possible. When I was younger, my sisters and friends and I would scamper over the rocks at Triangle Park, right next to the river. I miss that closeness of the lapping waves, seeing the swifts swing by and flash as they tip to catch that fleeting insect… could we have that again, yet in a more grownup format?

I am mindful of the outcroppings at other natural formations such as historic areas, usually valleys, where there’s benches, maybe a place to view far-away scenes via telescope… why not in Dayton?

Why not? Fear of water… Dayton’s river system has been a blessing and a curse, and since the 1913 flood it’s been managed with an eye to potential disaster.

Disaster could come, don’t get me wrong. Until then, let’s offer our rivers to our residents in a way that preserves and protects the riverwaters and its banks, yet provides a way to offer more direct enjoyment.

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