On Wednesday State Rep. David A. Scribner (R-107) successfully pushed for legislation to allow recreational swimming in Danbury's Lake Kenosia.
The amendment allows swimming in bodies of water with a 50-year history of that use. The legislation was prompted by, and will apply to, Lake Kenosia.
"Lake Kenosia has been a premier summertime destination for Danbury area families for over a century – one of only two natural locations across the city to swim and cool down in during the summer months," said Rep. Scribner, a member of the Public Health Committee.
The policy change was part of a larger package of legislation implementing the state budget.
"The 100-yard beach on Lake Kenosia has provided a recreational summer venue for our families for generations, and is the place where many of our children learned to swim," State Rep. Janice Giegler (R-138) said. "When it became known that the Department of Public Health may be prohibiting water activities, we knew we had to take action."
Lake Kenosia, which encompasses a 59.5-acre impoundment of the Still River, was closed to swimmers in 2012.
Rep. Scribner, who was the lead proponent of the measure, included fellow Danbury House Delegation members in his effort, including State Reps. Janice Giegler (R-138), Richard A. Smith (R-108), Dan Carter (R-2), Bob Godfrey (D-110) and David Arconti (D-109). The legislators co-sponsored an identical amendment, as well as one offered by Sen. Michael McLachlan (R-24), which was not called due to time constraints.
The bill was passed unanimously by both chambers and now awaits approval from the Governor.
Photo from http://lakekenosia.org