Wish to make a comment and a warning to your readers.

Your Explorer 2006-2007 edition was well done and is appreciated for the work that was put into creating it.

The warning we wish to describe under Parks, page 44, has listed Lakewood Park with Hicks Lake within having a swim beach, which is true. But feel it would lead people to think it is safe to swim in the lake.

As a member of a group called Friends of Hicks Lake we would advice people not to. Why? Because Hicks Lake is contaminated with many unknowns from the drainage it receives from 750 watershed acres of drainage, being the lake is only four acres in size (and) having no natural outlet it has become a settling pond with sewer-like conditions. King County's Health Department banned swimming in Hicks Lake in 1975, over 30 plus years ago (it was open for a period). but has been closed ever since. Also the lake is listed as impaired by federal clean water act section 303D.

One of the known contaminates is fecal coliform caused by waste from wild fowl, animals, and humans (leaking septic tanks) which should speak for it self.

Dick Thurnau

Hicks Lake