Pleasure Beach, a popular summer destination in Bridgeport, Connecticut, will remain closed for the entire 2025 season due to a serious tick infestation.

City officials, in consultation with state environmental and public health experts, made the call after discovering multiple tick species on the island, including the Asian longhorned tick—an invasive species that poses unique risks.

Unlike native ticks, this species can reproduce asexually, allowing a single female to spawn a full-blown infestation. Even more concerning, it can potentially carry serious pathogens.

While disappointing for beachgoers, the closure may benefit the island’s fragile ecosystem. Pleasure Beach is a critical nesting site for protected Audubon bird species, including the endangered piping plover.

With reduced human activity, conservationists expect a boost in nesting success and habitat restoration.

Bridgeport officials plan to conduct treatment and containment efforts throughout the summer, with the goal of reopening the beach in 2026.

SOURCE: City of Bridgeport, CT