It's time to dust off the beach chairs and slather on the sunscreen—Carver County's sandy retreats are beckoning sun-worshippers and water enthusiasts alike, now officially open for the summer season. According to the Carver County Parks Facebook page, beachgoers can venture to the lakeside through Labor Day weekend to soak up the rays and swim to their heart's content.

However, it's not all surf and sandcastles—visitors should note the absence of lifeguard services at local swimming areas, which means while you're flipping through your latest beach read or splashing in the shallows, keeping an eye on each other is paramount, because there won't be a whistle-wielding, floatie-hauling lifeguard to do it for you, the safety of swimmers in these unsupervised waters is entirely in the hands of the public, and everyone must exercise caution. "Please be aware that we do not have lifeguard services at any of our beach swimming areas," reminds the post, a clear call to action for personal responsibility, as per the Carver County Parks.