Fire ants close Virginia Beach park

Virginia Beach, VA. (WAVY.com) -- Parks and Recreation in the city of Virginia Beach, has closed the Charlestown Athletic Park located on Lynnhaven Parkway just off of Centerville Turnpike.

Fire ants were originally identified in the park about three weeks ago. The Virginia Department of Agriculture located 140 mounds. The site was treated by the state in mid-August.

On Monday, after the weekend's storms, 58 more mounds were identified. The Department of Agriculture is scheduled to come back to the site and treat the mounds.

It's anticipated that the park will be closed at least through this weekend. They will then re-evaluate next week to see if there are any new mounds.

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation will answer any questions concerned citizens may have, 757-385-4461.