Kelly Park Rock Springs Closed because High Bacteria Levels

Orange County’s Kelly Park was closed on Friday because of high bacteria levels found in the water of the popular Rock Springs Run.

The Florida Department of Health, which is currently running an investigation, said the picnic area and campgrounds would remain open at the park located at 400 E. Kelly Park Road in Apopka, but swimming would not be allowed until after the Memorial Day weekend.

This is not the first time when the park’s waters were found to have high levels of bacteria. In the past, the bacteria present in the water were linked with diaper accidents, septic-tank seepage and intestinal tracts of animals.

Orange County’s Environmental Protection Division will conduct weekly testing to determine when the springs will reopen for swimming, a county representative said, the local newspaper, Orlando Sentinel reported.

According to previous tests done in this location, raccoons and other animals that live in the densely forested county park were to blame for the bacteria found in the water.

People who have questions about the current investigation are invited to call (407)836-6243.

Over the past few years, there has been a dramatic increase in infections and infectious disease from swimming pools. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diseases resulting from infected pool water include gastroenteritis, dysentery, amoebic dysentery, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, salmonellosis, shigellosis and dermatitis.