Splish, splash: Get cool at these Beaver Valley public pools & lakes
One of "America's Top 100 Secret Beaches" beckons to swimmers in Beaver County.
Or so say the experts at FamilyDestinationsGuide.com, which surveyed 3,000 families nationally to find what "secret" beaches they would most like to visit this summer. Raccoon Creek State Park's beach, in Hanover Township, finished No. 34.
"The centerpiece of the park is the beautiful Raccoon Lake, which offers visitors opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming in its clear waters," the Family Destinations Guide Top-100 list said. "Despite its natural beauty and abundance of activities, Raccoon Creek State Park remains relatively uncrowded, providing visitors with a sense of seclusion and tranquility that is hard to come by in more heavily populated areas. With its stunning natural beauty and secluded location, the beach at Raccoon Creek State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating escape in nature."
So consider Raccoon Creek State Park beach this summer.
Or maybe Old Economy Park Pool in Economy, which reopens this year, under new management, after being closed in 2022.
Here's a list of outdoor public pools and lakes in Beaver County and nearby, with hours and other details to get you ready for swim season. After all, Memorial Day weekend and summer-like weather are here.
Raccoon Creek State Park Lake, Hanover Township
Season: The 500-foot, ADA-accessible, sand/turf beach will be open Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting, and remain open until mid-September. Check social media posts for updates.
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset. A bathhouse and a concession stand are nearby.
Smoking is prohibited.
Rates: Free
More information: dcnr.pa.gov or 724-899-2200.
Bradys Run Park Lake, Brighton Township
Season opens: Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Hours: Dawn to dusk. Swim at your own risk.
Rates: Free.
Information: 724-770-2060.
Sunrise Pool, New Brighton
Season: Outdoor pool (roof is retractable) opens June 3 under summer hours (adult swim, 11 a.m. to noon; general public noon to 6 p.m., until the third week of August.) Daily except holidays.
Rates: $5 for adults 18 and older; $4 for students ages 5-17; $3 for ages 4 and younger and seniors 60 and older.
Also offers: Snack bar/refreshment stand.
More information: 724-843-8443 or nbasd.org.
Veterans Memorial Pool, Midland
Opens: June 9.
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m.
Daily rates: $5, adults (18-59); $4, youths (2-17); $4, senior citizens (60 and older).
More information: 724-660-4156.
Old Economy Park Pool, Economy
Opens: May 27 through Sept. 9; daily hours until Aug. 21, when it's weekends only.
Hours: 11-11:50 a.m. lap swim; noon-6 p.m. public. Pool and air temperatures must be at least 73 degrees to open.
Daily rates: $8 for ages 5-61; $6 for seniors; $3 for lap swims. Summer passes and group rates are also available.
Lunch: Under the new management of the Beaver County YMCA, a summer food service program will be in place offering a free lunch to anyone aged 18 or younger. Meals are served from noon to 1 p.m. on weekdays from June 13 to Aug. 12.
More information: beavercountypa.gov or call the Pool Office at (724) 266-2200.
Veterans Memorial Pool, Ellwood City
Open: June 3 until Labor Day from noon to 7 p.m. Lap swim 11 to 11:50 a.m.
The 164-foot-by-64-foot pool with a separate baby pool offers a spacious lawn to sunbathe.
If the pool water or air temperatures are not expected to reach 73 degrees, the pool will not open that day.
Surrounding the entry, decorative pavers complement an information kiosk maintained by the Lawrence County Conservation District. At the entrance to the building are two new stone benches that were constructed from large stones taken from the former Ellwood City Ledger building.
Daily rates: Ages 2-17 and 60+, $4; ages 18-59, $5.
Information: 724-758-3740 or ellwoodcityborough.com
Moraine State Park, Butler County
Opens: North Shore's 550-foot Lakeview Beach is open; South Shore's 1,200-foot turf and sand beach with a paved path into the water opens May 20. No lifeguards. Swim at your own risk.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
Rates: Free.
More information: 724-368-8811 or dcnr.pa.gov
North Park and Settlers Cabin Park, Allegheny County
Opens: The Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool in Robinson Township and North Park Swimming Pool in McCandless Township open June 3.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weather and conditions permitting. Concessions will also be open.
Admission: Adults, $6 for resident, $8 for non-resident; seniors, $3 for residents, $4 for non-residents; youths, $5 for resident, $6 for non-resident; ages 5-and-younger, $1.
More information: 724-935-1766 (North Park), 412-787-2750 (Settlers Cabin) or visit alleghenycounty.us/parks.
Chill out with some ice cream: Scoop, there it is: A list of Beaver Valley ice cream destinations with hours & details
Scott Tady is the local Entertainment Reporter for The Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He's easy to reach at stady@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @scotttady.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Cool off at these Beaver Valley lakes and public pools
