Heckscher State Park beach reopens

Heckscher State Park Field No. 6 West Beach in East Islip was reopened to swimming by midafternoon on a hot Fourth of July, state parks officials announced Wednesday.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation had closed the beach earlier Wednesday because of a high level of bacteria, said park manager David Guest.

Retesting later in the day found conditions "satisfactory for swimming," the department said.