Lake Parramatta swim season begins

PARRAMATTA’S favourite natural swimming spot is ready for another summer, with lifeguards returning to Lake Parramatta tomorrow as the official swim season gets underway.

From this weekend, residents and visitors can once again cool off in the lake’s designated swimming area, with trained lifeguards on duty every weekend only until 29 November, before daily patrols begin.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor, Cr Cameron MacLean said it’s the perfect time to enjoy a swim within Parramatta’s picturesque bushland.

“Lake Parramatta is one of our city's most treasured natural attractions and a favourite destination for residents looking to enjoy the outdoors," Cr MacLean said.

"Whether you're taking a refreshing swim, enjoying a picnic with family and friends or exploring the surrounding bushwalking trails, Lake Parramatta is a fantastic place to spend time this summer.”

Visitors are encouraged to swim within the designated area while lifeguards are on duty and to follow all safety signage.

Lake Parramatta is also home to a state-of-the-art solar-powered monitoring buoy, affectionately known as Sunny, which takes real time water quality readings including temperature, pH levels and dissolved oxygen, and assisting in the detection of blue-green algae.

“We installed Sunny earlier this year to ensure swimmers are aware of the water quality before they take a dip, so we encourage people to visit Council’s website before heading to the lake to make sure it’s safe to swim,” Cr MacLean said.

“We also encourage swimmers to have safety top of mind when swimming at the lake, follow the directions of our lifeguards and keep a close eye on children at all times.

In addition to swimming, Lake Parramatta Reserve features picnic facilities, barbecues, playgrounds and scenic walking tracks, making it one of Western Sydney's premier outdoor destinations.

For information on lifeguard patrol times, water quality updates and visitor information, visit Council's website.