CLEVELAND — Visitors to Cuyahoga County Metroparks’ beaches might notice that the lifeguard stands are empty as the organization is facing a staffing shortage.
Metroparks said on Monday that lifeguards will not be present at area beaches after this Sunday. Generally lifeguards continue staffing the beaches on weekends through Labor Day.
Like many occupations coming out of the pandemic, there has been a shortage of lifeguards in the area.
The county previously announced that as of Aug. 9, county beaches will not be staffed on weekdays. Lifeguards will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Huntington, Edgewater and Villa Angela beaches.
During the summer, the city of Cleveland closed its pools several days a week due to a lifeguard shortage. Lake County also had similar staffing issues during the summer. Beaches at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park along Lake Erie were unguarded during the summer due to the shortage.
Cleveland Metroparks advises visitors to swim in designated areas monitored by lifeguards.
