EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Sunbathers and swimmers will soon be able to use the pool at Dansbury Park in East Stroudsburg.
"We are really thrilled when so many pools, especially in northeast Pennsylvania, haven't been able to open this year. It's going to be a little different because of our virus mitigation efforts, but we are thrilled to be able to do it at all," said Autumn Arthur, Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission director.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Stroudsburg pool will remain closed this year.
But before you grab your suit and towel, there are new changes and safety measures in place at Dansbury Park Pool.
Masks will be required when you're not in the pool, you'll have to bring your own pool chair, and maintain social distancing.
"At a pool, our top priority is always everyone's safety, so again, that is our top priority this year. Our second priority is to make sure that as many people in our community get a chance to swim as possible because it's already going to be July, and we are just now getting pools, and we know everyone wants to get out and swim. So we have that responsibility as a community to take care of each other," said Arthur.
According to Arthur, the pool will run at half capacity; there will be modified hours and midday closures for cleaning.
Pricing for daily pool use will look different, too. There will be no summer passes available this year.
Swimmers will also need to show proof of residency.
"For Dansbury Pool, residency means East Stroudsburg borough, Stroudsburg borough, Stroud Township, and Smithfield Township, although Smithfield Township residents should know that they will need to go to their municipality office to get a voucher. Because we are doing those four-hour blocks and a midday shutdown, we are actually selling our passes as half-day passes this year. So a pass will get you in for those four hours, and then when we shut the facility down, it turns over, and we get a new batch of people in for the second half of the day," said Arthur.