Town of Duxbury - Beach Operations - Beach Update – 8/18/2023
Duxbury Beach Access Update
August 18, 2023
CROSSOVER HOURS AND ACCESS
STARTING FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023:
Crossover 1: 300 vehicles (150 resident and 150 non-residents)
Crossover 3: 200 vehicles (100 resident and 100 non-residents)
Crossover Hours:
Friday and Saturday: 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Nighttime driving on the back road is now allowed.
The Resident Parking Lot will be open between the hours of 8:00AM and 11:00PM Friday - Sunday. Weekday hours: 8AM to 10PM.
The non- resident parking lot will be open to overflow parking.
The posted speed limit on beach property is now back to 15MPH everywhere.
Due to the unpredictability of the avian activity, access to the Crossovers is determined on a day-to-day basis and is subject to change in terms of the total number of vehicles allowed, up to and including total closure of the area.
Crossover 1 and 3 allows LEASHED dogs only where vehicles are allowed and all dog rules apply.
Dog Areas and Sensitive Wildlife Areas
Dogs are again allowed on leash on the bayside area, directly behind the Ranger shack. Leashed dogs are also allowed on Crossover 1 & 3. Dogs are not allowed on the front resident ocean side beach or the bayside north of the bridge until September 16th.
Sensitive Wildlife Areas are in effect in several places on the beach. While beach goers are invited to set up and enjoy these areas, it is with sensitivity to the chicks that are also using the beach. Within these areas, we ask that you do not drive, ride a bike, or play any large recreational games. There are several areas where full recreational activity is allowed.
CROSSOVER ACCESS PROCEDURE
Crossover 1 and 3 will open at 8:00 a.m. and vehicles MUST line up behind the gate in the Resident Lot. Only those vehicle permit holders lined up behind the gate in the resident lot will be eligible for Crossover access. Please do not drive down the back road and line up by the crossover. This will forfeit your spot in line and you will have to go to the end of the line in the Resident Lot.
Once on the beach, cars must park close to one another to ensure the maximum access for other vehicles. Please be sure to follow all directions from the Duxbury Beach Rangers closely as they will be on the beach directing on-beach parking and ensuring compliance with the regulations. There are still sensitive wildlife areas on the crossover beach. These areas are marked by rebar and sawhorses. Driving is not allowed through these areas due to avian activity. Violations could result in the shutdown of the crossover(s).
Typically, as a result of higher demand, beach access can become limited between during peak hours (approximately 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. until approximately 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.). Once limitations on the beach are in place as a result of avian activity, and higher demand for access is created as a result of warmer weather, earlier arrival times by beach patrons may help to gain access. We hope that this information will help to illustrate the importance of arriving early since access is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and can matter greatly if the weather is favorable for beach-going conditions.
Please be sure to monitor our Twitter feed for the most up-to-date information including any changes to vehicular capacity or operational updates: https://twitter.com/BeachDuxbury
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to work to maintain as much pedestrian and OSV access as possible while managing protected species.