Vernon Public Swimming Season Opens For 2020

VERNON, CT — The 2020 summer public swimming season began in Vernon Monday with the opening of the beach at Newhoca Park.

The gates opened at 10 a.m. and, within the first hour, about 30 people showed up to enjoy the warmish water at Bolton Lake. The beach is operating at about a quarter of capacity, gauged by a 15-foot spacing requirement between blankets and chairs, recreation department officials said. Even after the 30-person initial onslaught, there was still enough room for about 10 more groupings, officials said.

Masks were not required for groups both on the sand and in the water, but distancing requirements were enforced. As a courtesy, most people were waering them to and from oth the parking lot and restrooms. The rest rooms were cleaned regularly.

The beach is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $5 vehicle. Lifeguards are on duty.

Newhoca is the only "official" swimming venue open in Vernon. Public pools at Center 375 and Henry Park are not opening over coronavirus concerns.

The premise with opening Newhoca was easier spacing opprtunities, officials said.

Valley Falls Park is open, but the pond is technically closed for swimming. Several people were in the water nevertheless on Monday in a circus of floats and unsupervised swimmers. Local officials said that qualifies as a trespassing violation, but added they are still weighing an enforcement strategy outside of clearing the water on periodic patrols.