Published August 14 2020
The swimming area at Enatai Beach Park is open again, as of Friday, Aug. 14, after testing showed that bacteria have returned to a low-risk level. It had been closed since July 31.
That’s timely news since the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for Sunday, with afternoon temperatures expected in the 90s.
Weekend beachgoers are urged to take precautions for the heat, as well as the important precautions against COVID-19. Public Health – Seattle & King County offers hot weather tips during the pandemic, including:
- If you are in a public place and need to wear a face covering, take a “mask break” if you get too hot and uncomfortable.
- Go outside and make sure you are at least six feet from others, remove your face covering to cool down, then put your mask back on if returning to an area where one is required;
- Drink lots of water, even if you are not thirsty, and avoid caffeinated, high-sugar and alcoholic drinks; and
- Wear loose, light fitting clothing and a hat with a brim.
The reopening of Enatai Beach follows Thursday’s reopening of the Newcastle Beach swimming area and means that all Bellevue swimming beaches are up and running. If a beach, trail or other park looks too crowded for you to be able to maintain six feet of distance from others, please try another park.
- Enatai Beach, Newcastle Beach and Meydenbauer Bay parks have lifeguards noon-7 p.m., seven days a week, through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
- Chism Beach and Clyde Beach parks have lifeguards noon-7 p.m., seven days a week through Aug. 22.
- Chesterfield Beach Park has lifeguards 2-5 p.m., seven days a week through Aug. 22.
The City of Bellevue closes its swimming areas at the direction of Public Health – Seattle & King County, which routinely tests for bacteria and cyanotoxin at 17 lake beaches on Lake Washington.