Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: July 13, 2001
Contact: Robert J. Marshall Jr., Ph.D. 401-222-1017

King Park Swim Area Reopens
HEALTH Recommends Closing Goddard Park State Beach

Today, RI Department of Health (HEALTH) officials recommended reopening King Park swim area (Newport). The swim area closed earlier in the week as a temporary precaution following a summer rainstorm. Water samples taken yesterday confirm that the area is safe for swimming.

In a separate action, HEALTH recommended today that the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) close the Goddard Park State Beach to swimming due to high bacteria counts. Officials will continue to monitor the water quality and recommend re-opening when the area is safe for swimming.

All ocean beaches are open, in addition to all other licensed swim areas in Narragansett Bay (south of Conimicut Point).