Jump in!

Jennifer Reilly hurried along a gravel path last week leading to the beach — getting ahead of her were her sons Conrad, Daniel, and Zach. Looking toward Eichler's Cove from the top of a brief rise, she saw mostly younger boys and girls at the water's edge and older children in deeper — just their heads above the surface. Beach blankets and bright white lifeguards' chairs stood out against the pale sand. Splashing waves from a boat's wake broke against the shore. Lake Zoar stretched toward Oxford's uninterrupted tree line on the opposite bank — one water skier cutting her path in between.

"It's prettier than I realized,' Ms Reilly said. Her first trip with her sons found them playing in the water, pondering sand castles, and finally warming in the sun on Monday last week.

Hidden from view at the end of Old Bridge Road bordering the Halfway River along Monroe's town line, Eichler's Cove was open for swimming for the first time last year, but received few visitors. This year's pool pass, which combines access to both the cove and Treadwell Park pool, has generated a bigger crowd at the beach. Participation is up by at least 100 passes for families and individuals combined, the Parks and Recreation Department confirmed. The town pool and cove have both been busier this year.

Why? In bathing suits and sunglasses, Tricia Pinto and Carly Posey stood barefoot in sand. They learned about the combined access when they bought their passes and decided, "Why not."

"This is a good deal," said Ms Posey. Compared to larger beaches in Fairfield, for example, she added, "It's much easier to keep an eye on [children] here."

Ms Pinto said, "There is more to do here than at the pool." A few feet away were Pierce and Reichen Posey, shovels and buckets ready, building a moat.

Next to them were Tommy Kitzmiller and Conor Brennan, struggling to fix the sand walls of a pool that they filled until it broke through its barriers and water rushed back into the lake. Could they stop the gap by wedging the bucket into the breach or rushing to splash wet sand into place? They were trying. Thinking about Eichler's Cove compared to Fairfield's beaches, Tommy said, "I like the lake water better." Quick with his thoughts, Conor elaborated, "If you swallow lake water, it doesn't taste bad, but the ocean does."

Near the guard shack at a bench under an umbrella, lifeguards Jaclyn Van Waalwijk and Krysta Gates looked at the groups of parents and children on the beach. The friends agreed that the combined passes had brought a larger crowd to the cove this year. For the lifeguards, additional staff and "better hours" have made their schedules easier. Both Krysta and property manager Carol Marchetti noticed that residents were bringing the younger children to the cove. "They can play in the shallow area" Krysta said, also indicating that the slope into deeper water is gradual. After a point, the bottom drops off, however, which the guards would like swimmers to know, especially those still learning to swim. Other advice? "There's no shade! Bring an umbrella," they agreed.

Many visitors have been pleasantly surprised by the cove, the friends agreed, but its out-of-the-way location might be discouraging some moms and dads from packing a picnic and heading for the sand.

To find Eichler's Cove, follow Route 34 toward Monroe. Go past Great Ring Road, the Sandy Hook Fire substation, and continue down the large hill, almost into Monroe, approximately two miles past Great Ring Road. Turn left onto Great Quarter Road and immediately right onto Old Bridge Road.

Sunbathers and swimmers can pitch an umbrella on the beach, or stash their flip flops in the sand and run into the lake.

Purchase a pool pass or a pass for the day online at www.Newtown-ct.gov. Print receipts before visiting. Money is no longer collected on site. The cove is open daily from 10 am until 8 pm with lifeguards on staff.

Beware Of Heavy Rain

Eichler's Cove was temporarily closed Thursday, July 23, after a high bacteria count, then reopened for business at 2 pm Saturday, July 25. Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold said last week that following weekly testing of the water there, the Newtown Health Department had recommended closing the swimming area.

Heavy rains were the likely cause.

As Ms Mangold had explained last week and stressed again this week, "It is common to have a high bacteria count after rain. This was the first [count] this summer that was a little high to our liking." Thunder storms and overnight downpours have hit the region recently.

Additional water test results returned to the Health Department on Saturday showed that the swimming area's water bacteria had returned to safe levels. The Cove was reopened on Saturday afternoon, and has remained open without incident since then.

Health District Director Donna Culbert noted this week that Lake Zoar is a moving body, and retesting found better results promptly.

"This summer is unusual, so much rain," Ms Culbert said. Elevated bacteria levels this season do not surprise her. "We test weekly," she said. Ms Culbert has asked for more testing to "keep a closer eye" on the numbers, she said.

The rain has not been gentle, but frequent and heavy, pushing the bacteria count, which comes from "a variety of things." Wildlife is one primary source. "Geese love the coast line," she pointed out.

Her advice? "Don't swallow water at any time — any surface water." She advises parents to be mindful.