Woodbury Swimming Hole Provides Welcome Relief from Summer Heat

Temperatures climbed to the mid 90’s on Wednesday and Thursday, as summer was in full swing. For the more daring Woodbury residents – young and old alike – the bridge over the Weekeepeemee River at the junction of Routes 47 and 132 is the best place to cool off.

Wednesday afternoon about 25 teenagers and a few adults perched on the bridge rail, watching while their friends climbed a tall tree on the opposite side and swung out over the river on a rope.

A few first-timers wavered on the bridge, unsure of whether or not to take the jump. Off the bridge or out of the tree, the jump is safe said one parent “ as long as the kids use their heads. The river is very deep here.”

Jon Vecchiarelli, a teenager from Woodbury, said most of the swimmers knew each other and that they gathered there last year, and if the hot weather continues, they’ll be back soon.

Stanley Eyre, who grew up in Woodbury in the 1950’s and now lives in Washington, said when he was a kid, everyone gathered at the same spot. “People have been jumping off that bridge for years,” Eyre said. “We all did it when we were kids, and I bet people have been swimming there for the past 100 years.”

This Wednesday there were a few parents with younger children, and a number of teenagers. “Most people don’t care if their kids swim there because they did it when they were young,” Eyre said.

Vecchiarelli sat on the bridge rail soaking up some sun after his jump. Did his mother know where he was?  “Yep,” he answered. “No problem.”