SANDPOINT — Before swimmers hit Dog Beach this weekend, a group of local youth hit the beach first to get the site ready for the annual swim.

About 25 members of the Sandpoint Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took part in the annual cleanup, the swim's Karen McClelland said.

The youth group first got involved with the swim last year when members were looking for a way to help the community and approached the Long Bridge Swim officials to see if there was anything they could do.

"They did an excellent job last year and made it so nice for all the participants, spectators and our community," McClelland said.

BNSF Railway had taken down a small fence that gave the swim and the youth group access to parts of Dog Beach that had been closed since construction began on a second railroad bridge across Lake Pend Oreille.

The team did such a fabulous job, McClelland said when it came time for this year's swim, she immediately reached out to the youth group to see if they would again turn out to help.

"In less than an hour and a half, equipped with clippers, rakes,  and weed whackers, this small army cut down overgrowth, trimmed trees, moved logs out of the path of swimmers and reclaimed part of Dog Beach," she said.

The group's efforts even uncovered a park bench, that sadly is in need of repair.

The cleanup by the LDS youth group dramatically improved the vibe and accessibility at Dog Beach, McClelland said.

"A group of friends and I swim at Dog Beach every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings during the summer, and it has been so nice to enjoy the beauty of Dog Beach," she added.

The 29th Long Bridge Swim is being held Saturday, Aug. 3. As of Wednesday morning, there are 689 registered swimmers planning to take part in the annual swim from the Sagle side of the Long Bridge to Dog Beach.

Early packet pick up is Friday, Aug. 2, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Sandpoint High School, 410 S. Division Ave. Regular packet pick-up is Saturday, Aug. 3, from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.

The Long Bridge Swim’s swim lesson initiative provides swim lessons to all third-grade classes in Bonner County emphasizing water safety. 

"Our mission is for all the children in Bonner County to know how to swim and be able to safely enjoy our beautiful lakes," McClelland said.

    Mason and Boston Blaser work to knock down weeds as part of a community project by the Sandpoint Ward youth group, part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  

    Sandpoint Ward youth group members pose for a photo after working to clean up Dog Beach. Among those pictured are McCoy Jensen, Zella Lopez, Luke Anderson, Nick Watson, Mason and Boston Blaser, Jeff Poulson, Kaitlyn Duke, Brittney Blomquist, India Miller, and Tanguy.