County officials on the Mississippi Gulf Coast have closed a park that was a popular swimming spot but was also the site of multiple drownings.

WLOX-TV reports that at least nine people have drowned since 2001 at Dedeaux Park, on the shores of the Biloxi River in Gulfport.

In August, three 14-year-old boys drowned there in one day.

The park was originally run by Harrison County.

Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes says the city never officially took possession of the park, but did maintain it from 1997 until September of this year.

When the city abandoned the park this year, Harrison County supervisors voted to close it and put the land up for sale.