Lifeguard Jordan Berry keeps a watchful eye on swimmers at Thousand Hills State Park.
NEAR KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- As the mercury rises, thousands are beating the heat by heading to one of Missouri's state park beaches.
That includes the one at Thousand Hills State Park outside Kirksville.
A number of people were either playing in the water, laying out or otherwise enjoying the great outdoors Tuesday afternoon.
Betsy Tornatore of Kirksville told KTVO she and her family look forward to this time of year and heading to the beach.
They usually come about once a week and spend all afternoon having fun in the sun.
"We bring our lunch, and the boys bring their floaties and friends,” said Tornatore. “And the great thing about the beach is that you have all the beautiful vistas and can enjoy the sun and the wind and the breeze. And, we dive, and we jump and we have snacks and bring our volleyball to play that, just have a nice afternoon."
Tornatore said she and her family will probably spend even more time at the Thousand Hills swimming beach next month as the weather gets even hotter.
The beach hours are from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, weather-permitting.
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