Heat Waves Present Challenges for Burke Lake Park Management

BURKE, VA — For Keith O'Connor, manager of the 888-acre Burke Lake Park, one of the more challenging elements of his job comes on days such as this past Monday.

That's when a record high of 100 degrees was recorded both at National Airport and Dulles International. No breezes, no clouds, just the searing sun.

"Sometimes you have to gently remind people about things," O'Connor said Thursday.

Such as?

"Well, things like, 'You know, maybe this isn't the best day to have your black dog with you while you're jogging on the trails,' '' he said with a chuckle. "The biggest thing is making sure everybody stays safe, because, you know, heat like this can obviously be dangerous."

It helps that O'Connor, 43, happens to be a volunteer for Burke Fire and Rescue at Fire Station 14. He reports no serious incidents at Burke Lake Park, but were they to occur, he'd be ready.

As it is, the park offers unofficial ice-bag stations throughout its grounds on days when temperatures soar, and O'Connor and his staff try to make certain that patrons know of their availability.

But he sees at least one upside to the heat.

"People will come into the (air-conditioned) office, not really wanting anything except to stand there and get cool," O'Connor said. "And that's great. If anything, that's a good time to strike up a conversation and talk about the park and what we offer."

Photo: Burke Lake Park