Michigan Campground Permanently Closes Lake After Drownings

The Monroe County Toledo North KOA Holiday, a campground situated in Southeast Michigan, has decided to permanently close the nearby lake due to multiple incidents of young people drowning. Despite the lake closure, the campground will continue to operate and offer various amenities and activities. The KOA Holiday is a private campground company with locations throughout the United States, including Michigan.

Tragic events unfolded at the campground in the past year. A 15-year-old named Jaylen Hill from Detroit drowned in the lake after being missing for 20 minutes. The sheriff's dive team eventually found his body. More recently, on June 29 of this year, another teenager, an 18-year-old from Ohio, submerged in the water and was later recovered by the sheriff's office. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead.

For those who had planned to camp and swim at the campground, the Monroe County Toledo North KOA Holiday has announced that it will provide full refunds to guests who wish to cancel their reservations between July 5 and September 4.

The camping company has received over 700 comments and 1.3K shares on Facebook, as users express their opinions regarding the closure. One commenter expressed disappointment, stating, "This is such a disappointing situation for those who responsibly use the pond." Another person conveyed their condolences and sadness for the KOA staff, saying, "My deepest condolences to all the families who have lost someone due to drowning. I sympathize with the KOA staff who have to handle such situations." Some people even provided potential solutions, suggesting, "I propose draining the pond and installing a pool... it would make rescues much easier..." Splash pads and wading pools were also recommended.

There are 16 other additional KOA Michigan sites where camping is available. Check out their website for the most up-to-date information regarding swim availability.