Town of Duxbury - Beach Operations - Beach Update – 7/07/2023
Duxbury Beach Access Update
July 7, 2023
The Town of Duxbury provides periodic updates on the status of avian activity currently inhabiting the Duxbury Beach and the potential impacts their presence may have on beach patrons. Since beach stickers are non-refundable, we provide this information to the public as soon as it becomes available so that individuals may plan accordingly in terms of whether or not they decide to make a purchase.
Hours of Operation
BEACH AND PARKING LOT HOURS: 8AM – 10PM
The Town and Duxbury Beach Reservation (DBR) have a strong partnership in the management of Duxbury Beach and each has their own distinct set of responsibilities. As has been the case for many years, the hours of operation for Duxbury Beach and the associated parking lots are determined by the Town of Duxbury and not the DBR. The Town determines the hours of operation based on a number of factors including but not limited to season of the year, weather, tides, avian activity and access to the over sand portion(s) of Duxbury beach and the Town’s ability to ensure safe and appropriate access.
Recent occurrences of vandalism at Duxbury Beach have been a source of great concern for both the Town and DBR and any further instances of those illegal activities will have an extremely adverse impact on the Town’s ability to continue to use Duxbury Beach. The Town is obligated to ensure that all beach patrons are following the applicable rules of conduct as noted in the Duxbury Beach Guide and the Town's Beach Use by-law. The Town is maintaining its commitment to providing enforcement of the applicable laws and will issue citations as determined by Duxbury Police.
As an additional means of helping prevent any further acts of vandalism, Police Department personnel will be present at/near closing time and making routine patrols throughout each night during the season to confirm that those areas remain vacated.
Beach Status
As of the morning of July 3rd, we have 45 pairs of Piping Plovers on the beach, with 10 active nests and 23 broods of chicks. To date, we have lost 17 nests and 7 broods. We have many Least Tern chicks running around on the beach in all of the 6 colonies. Most of them are under 10 days old and we have many nests still incubating as well as many pairs continuing to display and starting to nest.
Beach Access
All crossovers, the back road and cut outs will remain closed until further notice.
There are approximately 300 spots in the Resident Parking lot and 100 spots in the Non- resident Northern Lot for permit holders, both have access to multiple portable restrooms. There is also public parking at a fee at Duxbury Beach Park (Blakeman’s).
Once the birds have fledged, portions of the over sand vehicle corridors will be re-opened and patrons will then be allowed to visit those sections of the beach. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict or guarantee a steadfast over sand corridor re-opening date since these are wild animals and therefore are unpredictable. They may be susceptible to tidal over wash, predation, and mortality from exposure to severe weather, as well as unpredictable movements throughout their habitat on the beach. Restrictions are in place until the birds are able to fly for a specific distance, meaning these restrictions may or may not be incrementally altered. Also, many of these restricted areas may overlap to an extent in both space (area) and timing (time until chicks can fly) and may change based on movement of the chicks.
Back Road Incidents
Although the back road remains closed to Permit Holders, we are still dealing with issues involving traffic going to and from the communities of Gurnet and Saquish. The Duxbury Beach Shorebird Monitors, who are primarily young adults, have been experiencing an alarming rise in harassment such as revving engines at staff in the road, swerving around employees, yelling, and other derogatory actions. Though a small group is responsible, everyone can help maintain a safe environment. Please help support monitors by keeping a watchful eye out for any inappropriate behavior. If you witness something, please don’t hesitate to report it to Beach Operations or the Duxbury Police. Thank you for being supportive.
Beach Ops: (339)236-4183
Duxbury Police: (781)934-5656 (press ‘0’ for desk operator)
Beach Lifeguards
Weather permitting, Beach Lifeguards will be on duty 9AM – 5PM, 7 days a week. All Beach Lifeguards are trained in CPR, AED, and first aid. Please seek them out if you need medical attention.
Beach Operations has a beach wheelchair for use for those that need it. Please see a Beach Ranger at the guard shack for assistance.
Dog Areas and Sensitive Wildlife Areas
Dogs are allowed at Duxbury Beach Reservation. However, at this point in the season they are only allowed while on leash in the parking lots, along the roadways, and bayside south of the bridge outside of Sensitive Wildlife Areas, and on the ORV beach outside of Sensitive Wildlife Areas and north the Sensitive Wildlife Area signage.
Sensitive Wildlife Areas are in effect on most of the beach. While beachgoers are invited to set up and enjoy these areas, it is with sensitivity to the chicks that are also using the beach. We ask that you do not drive, ride a bike, or play large recreational games in these areas. Games and ball throwing will be allowed in these areas so long as they do not directly impact active Piping Plover or Least Tern Chicks. In the case that the game is located near a brood a Shorebird Monitor may ask beachgoers to relocate down the beach to a different area to continue their game. There are areas where full recreational activity is allowed. Currently, they are bayside north and south of the Powder Point Bridge until the Sensitive Species Areas signage and on the Resident Beach, and at Duxbury Beach Park between the signage.
Where to Find Updated Information
Please continue to check for the latest updates as conditions and circumstances can change with little or no advance notice based on activities of wild animals. This information will be updated if conditions change or as new information becomes available. For further information about Duxbury Beach conditions, please visit the Town of Duxbury Beach Operations website at:
https://www.town.duxbury.ma.us/beach-operations
The most up-to-date information pertaining to beach conditions including restrictions and access limitations may be found by following Duxbury’s Official Beach Operations Twitter feed at:
https://twitter.com/BeachDuxbury
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to maintain as much pedestrian and ORV access as possible while managing protected species.