Lake Cochituate, State Beaches Open Today

Lake Cochituate opens for the season today, May 23.

”My family hikes, swims and fishes here. And I am thrilled to be kicking off the summer season in my own backyard,” said newly-named Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Carol Sanchez, who lives in Framingham, at a press conference at Lake Cochituate on Thursday afternoon.

Carol Sanchez and her boss Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton officially announced the summer recreational season begins this weekend with the opening of waterfronts across the Commonwealth. Lifeguards will begin staffing inland and ocean beaches on weekends, while parks and campgrounds will increase staff for summer activities.

​“It was a long winter and I think we’re ready to go outside and enjoy nature,” said Sanchez.

“As an avid sportsman and outdoorsman, I am thrilled to be at Cochituate State Park to kick off the start of the summer recreational season, and I urge everyone to visit our state parks and beaches this summer,” said Beaton.

“A great appreciation for the environment and the importance of protecting it can only come from time spent in nature,” said Beaton, who lives in Shrewsbury with his family, and says he spends family time at Lake Quisagamond.

Sanchez announced after a successful pilot program this year, all DCR beaches will be smoke-free this year.

“As this weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, I encourage Massachusetts residents and visitors to take advantage of the many wonderful opportunities we have for outdoor recreation at DCR’s 449,000 acres of forests, beaches, campgrounds and mountains,” said Governor Charlie Baker, in a press release. “From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, the Commonwealth’s beautiful state parks are a valuable resource all can enjoy.”

The state’s beaches will be open weekends only starting today. They will open seven days a week, starting the week of June 21.

The state’s swimming pools will open 7 days a week starting June 27.

Parking, water quality testing and restroom facilities open at many DCR beaches this weekend as well, and then expand to seven days a week on June 20, 2015.

Daily lifeguard coverage at Spectacle Island in the Boston Harbor begins on July 1, 2015.

DCR continues to hire lifeguards for this summer season. Click here to apply.

DCR is also increasing staff for camping, interpretive and educational programming, boating, OHV and ATV use, sailing, golfing, summer concerts and movies at the Hatch Shell, and more. Information on summer programming at DCR properties can be found here.