The closure at Gunnison Beach is the second in the park this season. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
The nudists may still sunbathe in the altogether, but the surf at Sandy Hook’s clothing-optional Gunnison Beach is off-limits to the clothed and unclothed due to high levels of bacteria, NJ.com reported Tuesday.
From the report:
Peter McCarthy, coordinator of the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Park, said staff decided to allow sunbathing there rather than closing the area altogether because of the heat wave and because of the popularity of the beach, most of which is clothing optional.
He said tests showed enterococcus bacteria levels at 143/100mL. Safe levels can’t exceed 104/100mL.
The water was retested on Tuesday and if the results are within acceptable levels, sunbathers would be allowed back in the water on Wednesday, McCarthy said. Results would most likely be available by 10 a.m., he said.
This is the second time in three weeks that a beach had to be closed because of excessive bacteria levels at Sandy Hook. On July 6, Beach D was closed for the day and park staff instead directed patrons to other beaches in the park.
Both occurred after heavy rain storms.
Beach D was also closed for a day last August because of high bacteria levels.
