Drowning prompts city to explore safety improvements at Hanna Park

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The city of Jacksonville sent crews to inspect a local park where a woman lost her life when she drowned there back in July.

Action News Jax first told you when a mother's car became submerged in the water at Hanna Park with her 5-year-old daughter inside.

John Turner and his wife come to the park often to fish.

"Depending on the time of year but usually every weekend," Turner said.

On Friday, they weren't the only ones checking out the park.

The city had a risk management crew out to look at ways to improve safety in the park.

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In July, Action News Jax told you 35-year-old Kathy Parades drowned after crashing her Jeep into a lake with her 5-year-old daughter inside.

She was attempting to turn around along a dirt road in the park.

The city is looking at ways to improve safety in all areas across Hanna Park, including where Parades drowned.

Turner told Action News Jax the narrow dirt road can be very tricky because there is only one way in and one way out.

There are no visible changes at Hanna Park since that accident in July.

"I don't want to lose the natural area, but if there is a need to put something up, I think it would need to be on that road, just because it drops off on each side of the road," said Turner.

We expect to hear what the city plans to do to improve safety at the park Monday.

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Cox Media Group