Lovers Key closed for swimming pending water testing

The Lovers Key State Park beach has been closed to swimming pending the results of testing from the Florida Department of Health.

The beach was closed to swimming beginning on Saturday. The state has not said what they are testing the water for or if they have detected anything in the water.

WINK News spoke with people who showed up to this beach in the middle of their Labor Day weekend.

Greg Pennington, a Lovers Keys beachgoer said, “we came down last night and we saw the beach empty. We thought something was wrong. So we went for a walk. We saw the sign. And then the rangers were telling everybody they had to leave and couldn’t be on the beach or fish or even be in the park. So we were upset and we were just walking. This is where we normally walk. But they made us leave anyhow.”

The access points are blocked off with construction netting, it is what Lovers Key is referring to as “an abundance of caution.”

Cassidy Rentsch, a Lovers Keys beachgoer said, “It kind of messing up my plans. Just it’s so hot. So I really wanted to go swimming. So it’s kind of a bummer. But I’m glad that they’re working on that. And it’s good that they’re keeping the water healthy and clean for everybody.”

The signs posted at Lovers Key State Park say the healthy beaches program needs to sample the water.

“This place usually on a Sunday or a holiday weekend is packed with people, boats, and people parking coming in for the day. And we were just surprised,” Pennington said.

The healthy beaches program’s last test was on August 29 and bacteria levels were within safe parameters, according to the results.

“We’re just kind of surprised that they would do it on a holiday weekend when it’s most people need to get away and de stress and relax a little bit,” Pennington said.

The Florida Department of Health has not said when results will be released. It is unknown at this time when the beach will reopen for swimming.