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MARQUETTE -- They're being proactive.

With swimming season six months away, residents are already talking about how to make the waterfront in Marquette safer next summer. 

Thursday night, the Marquette Waterfront Safety Task Force met at City Hall to discuss ideas with concerned citizens.  There were only about eight citizens who showed up, and the meeting was quite short, only about a half hour.  Three people spoke and were very concerned with the safety of the water as well as the ability for people to enjoy Picnic Rocks. 

"We were just trying to really send the message that this is really; it's a community problem and it's going to take community support in order to do something to correct it," said Gary Gustafson of the Marquette Waterfront Safety Task Force.

Four drownings on Marquette’s waterfront last summer are still fresh in the minds of many in the U.P.  Since the drownings occurred, steps were taken to make the waters safer.

"We have the flag system that's up, we have the signage, the lifeguards were beefed up, the police instituted, reinstituted the Park Patrol, and people actually sat at Picnic Rocks and viewed the area," said Marquette City Fire Chief Tom Belt.  "And it's primarily that."

But it isn't enough for the Marquette Waterfront Safety Task Force.  They want to make additional strides before the swimming season next year. 

Picnic Rocks was the hot topic Thursday night.  The idea proposed for the area--a breakwall from the beach to Picnic Rocks.  This would provide a safe way for the community to enjoy the rocks without the danger of swimming to the destination.  It was important to those who spoke Thursday night that the area was enjoyed safely by visitors.

"People like to slide down the rock in the water, and then there's a small reef out to the west side to swim out to,” said Marquette resident Richard Robinson.  “The reef, which is probably about chest deep."

The Task Force says they will take the measure under consideration.

"We're considering everything; no idea is chased away," Chief Belt said.  "The groups are spending a lot of time hashing through all the different suggestions and solutions that we're hearing."

The breakwall proposal will not definitely be implemented; the city will only review the measure.  If you missed Thursday night's meeting but would like to weigh in, you can contact Marquette City Fire Chief Tom Belt.  All proposed solutions will be discussed indepth by the Task Force during future meetings.