While a beach advisory for Derry’s Hood Pond had not been lifted by press time Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Derry Parks and Recreation Department said it is a moot point now. The beach is closed for the season, Program Coordinator Nicole Ferrante said.
“We have been closed for two weeks now,” Ferrante said of the summer swim classes and open beach times.
According to a press release from the state Department of Environmental Services (DES), the beach was sampled for fecal bacteria Thursday, Aug. 15. The advisory was issued Friday, Aug. 16. A second sampling was scheduled for Monday, Aug. 19, with the results to be available Aug. 20.
Ferrante said as of Tuesday morning, she had not received the results of the second sampling. “We still sample because it’s an open body of water,” Ferrante said. While people could technically still swim at Hood Pond, there is no lifeguard on duty and the beach is posted “Swim at your own risk,” Ferrante said. The DES press release said sampling of freshwater beaches will continue through Aug. 28.
