(09/P8) TRENTON - As New Jerseyans prepare to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello today invited residents and visitors to cool off close to home at one of 14 swimming areas opening Saturday in the state's parks, forests and recreation areas.

“Get away this holiday weekend without going far away. There’s a state park, forest or recreation area within a short drive from nearly every New Jersey town, and affordable amenities including swimming, fishing, picnicking and camping,” Commissioner Mauriello said.

Following the holiday weekend, most swimming areas will be open daily.

Select areas will open on a modified schedule until more lifeguards are available. Bass River State Forest, Cheesequake State Park and Parvin State Park will be open for swimming Friday through Tuesday, while Atsion Recreation Area and Belleplain State Forest will operate Wednesday through Sunday.

Stokes State Forest will offer swimming only on weekends until later in the summer. The ocean swimming area at Island Beach State Park will be open only on weekends through June 14, and then will operate seven days a week.

In addition, all other state parks and forests without swimming areas will be open to the public this weekend.

For more information, visit www.njparksandforests.org.