COUNTY

Kershaw beach to close early for season

The last day for swimming is Aug. 22

Mike Murphy
mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com

CANANDAIGUA — After a late start to the summer season at the Kershaw Park beach, summer will be coming to an end earlier than normal at the city’s popular swimming area.

The last day of swimming will be Saturday, Aug. 22, about two weeks before the traditional Labor Day closing, according to City Manager John Goodwin.

“I know it’s two weeks early, but unfortunately, we don’t have the staffing,” Goodwin said.

The beach typically opens Memorial Day weekend, but that didn’t happen until June this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Noting that Ontario County’s Deep Run beach on Canandaigua Lake did not open this summer, Goodwin said “we were fortunate to get the staff to run all of July and most of August.’

The city cannot allow swimmers to “swim at your own risk” — which is allowed at private properties such as hotels — because it is not permitted at public parks in New York, Goodwin said.

In previous years, the tail end of the summer swim season has also brought beach closures as a result of blue-green algae blooms.

In fact, the beach and small boat launch area were closed temporarily because of blue-green algae blooms, according to an announcement Thursday from Ontario County Public Health. The department noted that swimming and boating is safe in areas of the lake where algae is not visible.

The city tried its best this year under trying conditions to provide the amenity, Goodwin said. Canandaigua is facing a $1.15 million budget gap because of the pandemic, which has resulted in a hiring freeze.

Still, the service is a popular one with residents and visitors alike.

“Jumping in the lake is one of the major attractions of the area,” Goodwin said.