Vernon Chooses 3 Swimming Areas For Summer Use At No Charge

VERNON, CT — Town officials Thursday announced that three swimming venues will be open for the summer of 2021 with no admission fees.

They are:

• The Community Pool at 375 Hartford Turnpike
• The swimming areas at Newhoca Park on Bolton Lake, 185 Grier Road
• Valley Falls Park, 300 Valley Falls Road

They are slated to Open the week of June 21.

Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said he has directed administrators to waive all fees at the pool and swimming areas this summer.

"People are ready to get back out into the community and to use our beautiful recreation facilities," Champagne said. "People have been cooped up for more than a year and we encourage everyone to come out and enjoy our spectacular open spaces here in Vernon."

Town Administrator Michael Purcaro and Parks and Recreation Director Marty Sitler inspected Newhoca Park on Monday. Crews have expanded the beach area and have been prepping the swimming areas for the summer.

The swimming schedule is:

• Newhoca Beach: Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Community Pool: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Valley Falls Beach: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The hours and days could be expanded. Parks and Recreation Director Marty Sitler and his staff have already hired a team of lifeguards and continue to seek additional lifeguards and staff to safely expand swimming area schedules, Champagne said.

Information about available positions is on the Town website at www.vernon-ct.gov.

Purcaro and Sitler said the Town is "committed to providing a safe summer swimming program for Vernon residents."

Members of the public are being directed to stay out of the water when no lifeguard is on duty.