If you were planning a beach day this weekend, check your destination first: three Westchester County beaches are off-limits after routine water-quality testing found bacteria levels above New York State health standards.
The Westchester County Department of Health shut down Croton Point Park Beach in Croton-on-Hudson, Philipse Manor Beach, and Hudson Park East Beach on Thursday, July 9. The county did not specify which bacteria were detected or the exact levels measured.
The announcement, posted on the county government's verified account on X, did not provide a reopening date. Beaches will reopen once retesting confirms water quality has returned to safe levels. NBC New York covered the closures in a broadcast segment on Friday, July 10.
What triggers a closure
New York State tests beaches at least once a week for bacterial contamination, according to state health officials. Results are available about 24 hours after samples are collected and posted at park offices, online, and at the beach. When results exceed state standards, the beach closes until follow-up samples come back clean.
Elevated bacteria can result from stormwater runoff, sewage overflows, heavy rain, or strong winds stirring up naturally occurring bacteria in sand and soil.
What residents should know
Croton Point Park Beach operates on a weekends-and-holidays-only schedule through Monday, September 7 (Labor Day). The closure means the beach will be off-limits for the weekend of Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, unless retesting clears it before then.
Glen Island Beach in New Rochelle, which is open daily and restricted to county residents, was not listed among the closures.
Residents can check the latest beach status at the Westchester County Department of Health water quality page: health.westchestercountyny.gov/water-quality.
Community calendar
- Westchester County beach season runs through Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) at all county parks beaches.
- Glen Island Beach, New Rochelle, open daily for county residents through September 7.
- Bronx River Pathway: The southern section between North Broadway and Washington Avenue is closed through Friday, July 10, for the Bronx River Pathway Restoration project, according to the county parks department.
