NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two Clarksville parks are closed after tragedy struck over the weekend.

An 11-year-old girl drowned at Billy Dunlop Park on Sunday, the second death reported there this year.

This tragedy has raised questions about safety along the West Fork Red River.

"It's a nice river; it has a lot of curves," Clarksville resident Grace Montes described. "I've taken my kids there several times, and we did tubing. It's really shallow, and it is really slow."

Montes told News 2 that the calm waters can quickly become treacherous.

"There are parts that are kind of deep, and there is an undercurrent that is really dangerous," Montes said.

The twists and turns, she said, can create a whirlpool effect with a strong undercurrent.

"When we did tubing one time, we got stuck in that corner, yeah, so we had to call someone to pull us out of that corner," Montes described.

Sunday afternoon, witnesses saw an 11-year-old girl go under. After more than an hour of searching, her body was recovered.

This comes less than three months after another child died there in May.

"And I think a year or two ago it was a grownup that died also, so it is not just kids," Montes said. "It is heartbreaking that the city is not making any changes to the park."

A representative with the City of Clarksville told News 2, "As with any river in our middle Tennessee region, water conditions at this location are unpredictable and subject to change, rapidly. There is prominently placed signage in the park that clearly expresses these dangers, and should be seriously adhered to."

City officials said the park has extensive signage with warnings such as "Be aware of swiftly-moving water, low visibility, drop-offs, uneven or slippery surfaces, floating debris, and snakes and other wildlife."

Other signs also say, "Always wear a flotation device."

Billy Dunlop Park, Robert Clark Park and the Blueway are closed until further notice.

Some neighbors want the Billy Dunlop Park shut down for good, while others want additional safety improvements.

"You can't shut down the park because there is a big grass area where people play baseball over there, and there is a playground where the kids play," Montes explained. "So it is not just swimming or tubing in there, but I think they have to put like an enclosure on some of the places that are kind of deep."

She said everyone should wear a lifejacket if they are still planning a trip to the river once it reopens.

"Be familiar with the area and where there is deep water and always, always put [on] a vest," Montes concluded.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/clarksville/clarksville-residents-call-for-safety-changes-after-11-year-old-drowns-at-billy-dunlop-park/