'Swim At Your Own Risk:' No Lifeguards At Lake Chauncy In Westborough

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough's Lake Chauncy beach opened for the season on July 3, but for the second year in a row won't have lifeguards on duty.

In a letter to the community, Westborough Recreation Director Jennifer Kirkland said Lake Chauncy will be open weekdays through Aug. 11. The bathrooms at the beach will also be closed, although there will be a mobile toilet on site.

"Swim at your own risk," Kirkland's letter said.

Lifeguards are in high demand across the state, and some municipalities and the state are offering high pay for the jobs. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation was offering hiring bonuses up to $1,000, plus hourly pay up to $23 — $27 per hour for lifeguard supervisors. Westborough was offering $16 per hour in 2023, according to job listings.

Most state beaches have lifeguard coverage this summer, but even the state's high pay didn't attract enough candidates to cover all sites. More than two dozen state beaches — including Ashland State Park, a beach at Hopkinton State Park and Natick's Lake Cochituate section — won't have lifeguards this summer.

Lake Chauncy will be open the following hours for summer 2023:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday — 7:30 a.m. to noon