Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Ava Wingard, 2, runs out of the lake at Chapman State Park on Tuesday. The lake is open for swimming, boating, and fishing.

It’s summer and the beach is open.

The beach at Chapman State Park opened this weekend, just in time for a heat wave.

With temperatures around 90 degrees on Tuesday there were more than 100 people at the beach, most of them in the cool water.

“We’re just trying to have a good day on a nice day,” Ciareah Syphertt, who was at the park with her 2-year-old daughter, Ava.

Attendance has been high since the beach opened on Saturday, according to Administrative Assistant Katie Ledwith.

There are restrictions.

“We’re allowed half capacity,” Ledwith said. However, the beach is a large area and the maximum is a couple thousand people.

People are asked to maintain social distances and masks are recommended for those who are not in the water.

The park’s other facilities have opened up over the past month.

Restrooms, campsites, and the office opened in mid-May. Playgrounds opened on June 1.

“There have been a lot of people kayaking and canoeing,” Ledwith said. Those looking to enjoy their watercraft need to have their boat registered or obtain a launch permit, which can be done at the park office.

Masks are required in the office and staff are asking that no more than two visitors enter the building at a time.

“The lake is open to fishing,” she said. Licenses are required for all anglers 16 and over. All species except trout are catch-and-release only.

“The yurts and cottages open this Friday,” Ledwith said. “They’re all booked for this weekend.”

Environmental education programming is curtailed at least through June 15.