THE MDSA BEACH AND RULES
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.
SWIMMING AT THE MDSA BEACH IS FOR MDSA MEMBERS ONLY
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:
- Swimming is allowed only when there is a lifeguard on duty at the official park beach across the lake. Swimming season for 2024 is Saturday, June 15th through Labor Day Monday September 2nd (and possibly through Friday after Labor Day September 6th, TBD). Swimming hours are 9:00AM to 7:00PM Mon–Fri (except holidays) and 11:00AM to 7:00PM Sat–Sun (including holidays). All MDSA members MUST be out of the water by 7:00PM and NO later!
- 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.
- There is a bulletin board/card-hanging board at the beach and each member MUST hang his or her card on it before going into the water and then remove it after coming out.
- If you are a 16–17 year old member, your parent/guardian who is an MDSA member must be present while you swim.
- 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.
- PER PARK REGULATIONS, dogs are not allowed to enter the water or be near the shoreline at the MDSA beach. Dogs MUST be under the control of their owner at all times, should be tethered at all times, and NEVER left unattended.
- There is a wooden locker under which is a red life-saving buoy. The combination to the lock is given to the members upon joining. The first member to arrive each day should open and keep the locker open (unless there's rain) and remove the buoy from under the locker and keep it out in plain sight on the rock jetty. The last member to leave the beach for the day should return the buoy to under the locker and lock the locker.
- There is a defibrillator with easy to follow instructions in the locker to use in case of an emergency.
- Members are asked to keep the beach area clean and should avoid loud conversations to keep the beach a peaceful place.
- 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, no picnic coolers.
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For MDSA members' convenience, we will TRY to have 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.
Most of all, members should enjoy the peace and delight of Lake Minnewaska.
* MDSA is on Facebook, where members can contact others to find a swimming buddy. Click the "MDSA on Facebook" button at the top of the page. 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.