Beverly Closes Beach After Second Overcrowding Call

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly closed Rice's Beach until further notice Thursday after police were called about overcrowding for the second time in as many days.

The small beach is located near Lynch Park. Beverly said it would limit parking at the park, Dane Street Beach and Obear Park to Beverly residents in hopes of helping the city comply with state social-distancing guidelines for beaches and recreation areas.

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Police were called to the Rice's Beach around 1:30p.m. Wednesday, where they saw large groups of people sitting together, hugging, wrestling and playing organized ball games. All of those activities are prohibited under Baker's order.

"It was necessary to clear and close Rice's Beach, as a crowd too large for the beach arrived, and did not comply with the requirements of the Governor's order – specifically a large group of teens," Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill said in a Facebook post.

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Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).