The MDSA beach is located at the south end of the lake. The park anchors a 200-yard rope buoy about 15 yards out in the lake and swimmers are asked to swim counter-clockwise around the buoys.

To maintain what we call an "uneventful season," it is important that all members follow the MDSA rules (which have been agreed on with the New York State Parks Commission) and all Park rules as well:

1. There is a bulletin board/card-hanging board at the beach and members MUST hang their cards on it before going into the water and then remove it after coming out.

2. There is a wooden locker which contains a red life-saving buoy. The combination to the lock is given to the members upon joining and the first member to arrive each day should remove the buoy from the locker and keep it out in plain sight. The last member to leave the beach for the day should return the buoy to the locker and lock it.

3. Members must have another MDSA member (a "buddy")* present when swimming. The buddy does not have to be in the water at the same time.

4. If you are a 16-17 year old member, your parent/guardian who is an MDSA member must be present while you swim.

5. Swimming is allowed only when there is a lifequard on duty at the official park beach across the lake. Swimming season is Saturday, June 20th, through Labor Day, September 7th. Swimming hours are 11AM to 7:00PM, seven days a week.

6. Members are asked to keep the beach area clean.

7. It is Park policy that children are not allowed in the water at the MDSA beach. They may swim at the public beach where there is a lifeguard on duty.

8. Dogs are not allowed to enter the water at the MDSA beach. They should be tethered at all times per Park regulations and never left unattended.

9. A reminder of some of the other Park rules listed in the Park brochure: no fires, no alcoholic beverages, no glass bottles, no radios except with earphones, no littering.

For MDSA members' convenience, there is a "Port-A-Potty" on the trail just above the MDSA beach. It is provided by MDSA for the season in an effort to keep the water as clean as possible.

* The MDSA buddy list is a way members can contact others to find a swimming buddy. Click the link at the top of the page to view our Buddy List bulletin board. On weekends and holidays we try to have at least one "volunteer guide" on duty between 11AM and 6PM and that person can be your buddy.