Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: June 27, 2003
Contact: Ernest Julian, Ph.D. (401) 222-2749 8:30-4:30 Monday through Friday; cell phone (401) 623-0471

HEALTH Recommends Closing to Swimming Lincoln Woods State Beach; Reopening Bonnet Shore Beach Club, City Park Beach

The Department of Health (HEALTH) recommended the closure of Lincoln Woods State Beach in Lincoln to swimming due to high bacteria counts. Officials will continue to monitor the water quality and recommend re-opening when the areas are safe for swimming.

Today, HEALTH also has issued a Swimmer’s Itch Advisory for City Park, Conimicut Point Beach, and Oakland Beach. Vigorous towel drying after swimming at open beaches in this area is strongly recommended. Several complaints have been received in the past week. For more information about Swimmer’s Itch please go to the Beach Monitoring website at www.health.ri.gov/environment/beaches

Conimicut Point, Gorton Pond, Kent County YMCA, and Oakland Beach in Warwick; a portion of Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett; a part of Third Beach in Middletown; and Warren Town Beach remain closed.

HEALTH officials recommended re-opening Bonnet Shores Beach Club in Narragansett and City Park in Warwick for swimming. This recommendation is based on results from water samples that show bacteria levels within acceptable limits. HEALTH will continue to monitor the water quality regularly to assure safe bathing throughout the summer season.

PLEASE NOTE: BEACH STATUS MAY CHANGE ON A DAILY BASIS. For up to date information about swimming at Rhode Island beaches, go to the HEALTH website at www.health.ri.gov or for recorded information about RI Bathing beaches call (401) 222-2751.