Why was the swim beach closed at Blackwell? Will the beach be reopened?
The District closed the beach in 1984 as a precautionary measure after monitoring wells detected the contaminated groundwater between the beach and Mount Hoy. At the request of the EPA, the beach area remained closed until the completion of the required studies and cleanup. In 1999, the EPA issued a set of guidelines under which it would allow the swim beach area, now call Sand Pond, to reopen. The EPA has not detected any contamination of Sand Pond from the landfill but is concerned that any use of water associated with the redevelopment of the Sand Pond area might interfere with groundwater monitoring. Additionally, to reopen Sand Pond as a swim beach under current health codes would cost about $5,000,000. Instead, the District is incorporating the pond into a new recreational area centered on Blackwell’s existing archery range. The new area will feature a regional trailhead, an expanded archery range, an ADA-compliant fishing pier, restrooms and a picnic shelter.
