Beach to add hours, allow outside food

The Beach at Pinehurst Park will be expanding its hours this summer after taking a survey of users. Erin Bates, director of Cloquet Community Education, said the swimming facility in Cloquet will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Opening day is scheduled for June 12.

Lifejackets will no longer be required in the canoe and frog slide sections, Bates said. For the rest of the pond, lifejackets will still be required for those under age 12, unless a child age 9 to 11 passes a swim test or has completed Level 4 swim lessons with Cloquet Community Education.

The survey yielded another result, Bates said: Users will be allowed to bring their own food to The Beach.

“We will have vending machines and ice cream available for purchase at the desk,” she said. “No glass, alcoholic beverages, grills, potlucks or birthday cakes. The pavilion outside of The Beach is available to rent for birthday parties. In order to keep the area clean, we are asking for patrons to pack in, pack out.”

Community Ed will also have weekly activities with arts and crafts and games. Staff will also be putting “dinosaur bones” in the sand to discover, Bates said.

Early-bird discount season passes are available through May 20 on our the Cloquet Community Education website or by calling 218-879-1261.