DCNR Moves to Open State Park Swimming Beaches, Pools

HARRISBURG, Pa – The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced a phased opening of all state park swimming beaches and some pools amid the coronavirus siege.

Effective Saturday, June 6, all 58 state park beaches, including at Bald Eagle State Park, Blanchard, will be open to swimming. State park pools will remain closed through at least Friday, June 12, with most in designated yellow and green counties reopening Saturday, June 13. The pool at the Hyner State Park would be among them; the state release did not designate which day the Hyner pool would reopen.

“Water-based activity is an integral part of the state park experience in Pennsylvania and, with appropriate protocols in place to ensure safety and as staffing permits, this department continues to reopen its state parks and forests so that Pennsylvanians can realize all the benefits of being outdoors,” Dunn said.

Capacity at beaches and pools will be limited to 50 percent of the normal facility capacity, the secretary noted. Mitigation measures will be in place, including restricting visitor parking, controlling facility access, social distancing and the wearing of face masks when not in the water. All CDC guidance remains in effect.