West Beach, at Heckscher State, reopened to swimmers

A previously closed beach area within Heckscher State Park has been reopened to swimmers, park authorities announced Saturday.

Officials had closed West Beach, Field Number 6 within Heckscher State Park in East Islip to swimming on Aug. 13 due to elevated bacteria levels, county and state officials said.

"This prohibition is a precautionary step to assure protection of the health and safety of our swimmers," the agency said in a news release at the time, adding results from further water quality testing would be reviewed to determine when swimming could resume.

Saturday, officials announced water quality test samples showed the area is again safe for swimmers.

Anyone interested in more information about New York State Parks may visit nysparks.com