Raccoon Creek State Park's sandy stretch is now without swimmers due to a spike in E. coli levels, as swimming remains off-limits for park-goers, a measure to prevent health risks that arose. According to the WPXI report, the beach itself will stay open even as the water remains off-limits, beckoning sunbathers and picnickers alike, even those seeking a reprieve from the city's pulsing heat.
The source of the swimming ban comes from routine testing, which turned up results that led the Pennsylvania Department of Health to advise the park's officials to prohibit swimming, and the park, for its part, does not disclose the testing outcomes. They opted to shut it down to maintain visitor safety. Disgruntled swimmers met with signs saying "closed, no swimming" but without immediate context or explanation for the climate some shared their frustration with area news outlets, Brandon Singh who drove from Maryland conveyed his letdown to CBS News, "I've heard about how great this park is, and I just get to be disappointed when I show up," adding "They won't even let me swim."
While the park has not announced a timeline for when the swimming area will reopen, regular testing will continue to monitor the safety of the waters, and updates will be provided to the public as conditions change. However, for the time being, swimmers will have to seek alternative cool-offs.
