Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a phased reopening of all swimming beaches and some pools in state parks. The parks have been closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“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.

Effective Saturday, June 6th, all 58 state park beaches will be open for swimming. However, pools in state parks will remain closed through at least Friday, June 12th, with most in designated yellow and green counties reopening Saturday, June 13th.

There will be some restrictions. Capacity at beaches and pools will be limited to 50 percent of the normal facility capacity. 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.

Lifeguards will be on-duty at beaches at two state parks: Fuller Lake, at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Cumberland County, and Presque Isle State Park, Erie County.

Two pools will not be opening for the 2020 season due to maintenance. The parks involved are Ryerson Station State Park in Greene County and Codorus State Park in York County.

In a related development, Secretary Dunn announced that the 18 state parks in the eight latest counties to move to phase yellow would be reopening. Family campground sites and park offices will open at these parks on May 29th.

For full details click here.