State Extends Beach, Pool, Waterfront Hours in Response to Heat Wave

By CHARLENE ARSENAULT (Patch Staff)

With a heat wave coming on strong, people are looking for ways to cool off. The governor’s office has respond by extending the hours of waterfronts, beaches and pools throughout the state.

The forecast calls for several days of 90-degree heat, in some cases threatening to hit the mid-90s.

Governor Charlie Baker joined Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Carol Sanchez on Wednesday to announce that hours of operations at many of the state’s pools, beaches, and waterfronts will be extended to 7:30 p.m. from Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2. The additional hours at state swimming facilities will provide children and families opportunities to stay cool and safe during the upcoming forecast.

“During the summer season, the state’s pools, beaches, and waterfronts remain an incredibly popular destination for families and their children to visit,” said Gov. Baker in a statement. “It is extremely important that people seek out measures to combat the heat for their safety and wellbeing this week, with the Commonwealth’s swimming facilities offering a great opportunity to do just that.”

The extended hours of operations at 58 beaches, deep water pools, wading pools, and spray decks throughout the Commonwealth have been authorized.

“With high temperatures expected throughout Massachusetts, I urge the public to take advantage of our beautiful state beaches and swimming facilities to stay cool,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito in a statement. “By extending the hours of operations at many of our public swimming locations, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to increasing and improving access to state resources.”

Extreme heat can have dangerous consequences if proper precautions are not taken, said the announcement. Most heat disorders, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are due to dehydration and overexposure to the sun and heat. It is extremely important for people to stay safe during the heat and humidity wave this week. State officials also urge people to check in on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, or those without air conditioning.

The following beaches and pools will be open and guarded until 7:30 p.m. from Friday, July 31, to Sunday, Aug. 2:

Beaches
Robinson Beach – Agawam
South Boston Beaches – Boston
Chicopee State Park Beach – Chicopee
Walden Pond Beaches – Concord
Wallum Lake - Douglas
Dunn Pond Beach – Gardner
Hopkinton State Park Beaches – Hopkinton
Nantasket Beach – Hull
Crow Hill Pond Beach – Leominster
Houghton’s Pond – Milton
Nahant Beach – Nahant
Cochituate State Park Beach – Natick
College Pond – Plymouth
Revere Beach – Revere
Whitehall Pond – Rutland
Salisbury Beach Reservation Beaches – Salisbury
John A. Pierce Lake – Saugus
Lake Wyola Beach - Shutesbury
Kingsley Beach – Westfield
Horseneck Beach – Westport
Shannon Beach – Winchester
Regatta Point Beach – Worcester
Lake Park – Worcester

Pools and Spray Decks
Gerald J. Mason Pool – Agawam
Beaver Brook Spray Deck – Belmont
Alfond Spray Deck – Boston
Mission Hill Spray Deck – Boston
Reilly Memorial Pool – Brighton
Artesani Wading Pool & Spray Deck – Brighton
North Point Spray Deck – Cambridge
McCrehan Memorial Pool – Cambridge
Veterans Memorial Pool – Cambridge
Vietnam Veterans Pool – Chelsea
Sherman Memorial Pool – Chicopee
Philip Weihn Pool – Clinton
Neponset Spray Deck – Dorchester
Allied Veterans Memorial Pool – Everett
Veteran’s Memorial Pool – Fall River
Johnson Memorial Pool – Fitchburg
Freetown Wading Pool & Spray Deck - Freetown
Olsen Spray Deck – Hyde Park
Moynihan Spray Deck – Hyde Park
Olsen Swimming Pool – Hyde Park
Johnson Spray Deck –Jamaica Plain
Higgins Pool – Lawrence
Lord Memorial Pool – Lowell
Holland Memorial Pool – Malden
Ryan Wading Pool – Mattapan
Lloyd Memorial Pool – Melrose
Cass Memorial Pool – Roxbury
Latta Brothers Memorial Pool – Somerville
Thomas Memorial Swimming Pool – Springfield
Bradley Palmer Wading Pool – Topsfield
Connors Memorial Pool – Waltham
Dealtry Memorial Pool – Watertown
Shine Memorial Pool – Worcester