Limited Swimming Season In Worcester As Lifeguard Shortage Continues

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester's city-run swimming facilities will open for the summer on Friday and Saturday, but a continuing lifeguard shortage will mean swimming spots operating at reduced capacity — or closed completely.

This is the second summer when the Indian Lake Beach at the end of Clason Road will stay closed for the season. But Worcester has been struggling to hire enough lifeguards to staff city facilities for years.

The problem isn't just in Worcester. Many state-run swimming facilities will go unguarded this summer, even though the state Department of Conservation and Recreation offered bonuses over $1,200 and starting pay around $22 per hour.

Worcester lifeguard jobs pay $17.50 per hour to start, but head lifeguards can make up to $18.75 per hour, according to city job listings.

Here are the swimming options in Worcester for summer 2023:

East Park Spray Park and Greenwood Spray Park will open on Friday. The parks will be open seven days through Sept. 4 from noon to 7 p.m. Spray parks do not typically have lifeguards on duty.

Bell Pond Beach and Coes Pond Beach will both open Friday with no lifeguards or parks attendants on duty all summer. Swimmers will be able to use the beaches at their own risk from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until Sept. 4. Only portable toilets will be available at the beaches.

Shore Park Beach on Indian Lake will open Saturday and will be operated by the Greendale YMCA this year. The Y will provide lifeguards from noon to 7 p.m. daily through Aug. 20, but Worcester will handle opening the parking lot gates. The gates will only be open during swimming hours.

Crompton Park Pool will open July 4 with limited lifeguards. It will be open seven days from noon to 7 p.m. until Sept. 4.

Apart from the city-run facilities, DCR operates the Bennett Field Pool near Webster Square along Main Street and the Dennis F. Shine Memorial Pool at Vernon Hill Park. Those pools opened last weekend. DCR previously opened its two Lake Quinsigamond swimming areas — Regatta Point and Lake Park — on May 27. Both of those swimming areas will have lifeguard coverage through the summer, although Regatta Point coverage will end after Labor Day and Lake Park's will end Aug. 20.