Despite unusually high water levels on Lake Ontario, Ontario Beach Park is on track to open as scheduled on Friday.
"A couple of months ago, I would have really doubted that we would be able to do that,” said Larry Staub, director of the Monroe County parks department. Crews spent the last two months cleaning debris that washed onto the beach as Lake Ontario swelled to record high levels.
"There were large trees, large limbs, a lot of debris,” Staub said. “We even had a typewriter show up (laughs). I don't know where it came from, but we saw it."
The encroaching lake waters have made the beach about 100 feet narrower, leaving about 60 to 100 feet of sand between the shoreline and the boardwalk. Staub thinks the high lake level might actually provide beachgoers with the best swimming in years.
"It's like being on a big sandbar before you get out to the deep water. I think it's going to be warmer and I think people are going to have a better time, especially with families and young kids."
Durand Eastman Beach, which is operated by the city of Rochester, remains closed for swimming.
