Town of Duxbury - Beach Operations - Beach Update - 5/19/22

Town of Duxbury - Beach Operations

BEACH UPDATE –  5/19/22 - REVISED
(Please disregard prior email - incorrect dates were posted)
 

Hello Beach Patron,
Below please find some important information concerning Duxbury Beach.


PIPING PLOVER UPDATE

DBR has reported that there are currently 29 nests on the beach. There are also 3 more pairs on site that have not nested yet. As in the past years the presence of the birds and their nests/eggs/chicks will begin to restrict access to areas of the beach. We anticipate that Crossover #1 will be closed on or about June 15th and Crossover #2 will close June 1st. During the time in between these dates vehicles WILL NOT be permitted to drive through the closed areas. The closed areas will be designated with cones and sawhorses. Pull outs along the back road south of Crossover 2 will be closed by days end 5/19/22.

If you have a question concerning what areas are restricted, please ask a Beach Ranger.

The above dates and subsequent closures could change some, as we are dealing with wild animals, so please check our Twitter account for daily up to date information. Our Twitter is: @BeachDuxbury. The length of time that the crossovers will be closed is never set in stone, but the chicks must be able to fly 50 yards before staff can determine that is safe to re-open the area.

Of course, I am well aware that closures of crossovers is not the news that folks want to hear necessarily. On the bright side, let us be hopeful that the nesting, hatching and fledging of the chicks proceeds without issue and the crossovers can re-open for all over-sand customers sooner rather than later.


NORTHERN LOT – NON-RESIDENT USE

If both crossover closures follow the above timeline – both closed by 6/15- the Northern Lot will be available this year. This lot is located to the north of Blakeman’s and contains 93 spots for the use of NONRESIDENTS whose vehicles have a current over-sand sticker. Spots are available on a first come first serve basis. Our Twitter will inform people of when the lot is getting full, so please check it frequently in order to save yourself a wasted trip.

Attached hereto is map of where the Northern Lot is located. Please make sure you do not park in the resident lot or Blakeman’s parking lot as you will be ticketed.


RESIDENT LOT – DUXBURY RESIDENT USE

During the period of time the crossovers are closed the resident lot is available to Duxbury residents whose vehicles have either a current over-sand or parking lot sticker. There were weekend days last year that this lot did fill up so again, please monitor our Twitter account for updates.


DOGS ON THE BEACH

Strict adherence to the regulations regarding dogs on the beach is critical. Please adhere to all signage concerning dogs and where they are, or are not, allowed. They/the owner must have a dog walking permit and the dogs MUST BE LEASHED AT ALL TIMES.


BEACH LIFEGUARDS

Town of Duxbury beach lifeguards will be on duty, weather permitting, beginning Saturday 5/28. They are scheduled to work weekends only until they begin a 7 day per week schedule on or about 6/20. The guards will work a 9-5 shift and their Tower is located directly east of the Powder Point Bridge, ocean side beach. Fully certified, they carry a wide variety of first aid supplies if a situation arises and you need some medical attention.


SPEEDING

Please remember that the speed limit on the Powder Point Bridge is 10 MPH. Please help our historic bridge last as long as possible by adhering to the speed limit.

Also, the speed limit on the back beach road is 15 MPH, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Please cooperate by following the posted speed limits.


CURRENT BEACH CONDITIONS

The weather reports recently have indicated that we are down about 3” of rain on average over the past few months. The effect of this at the beach is soft sand. Please make sure you read the rules and regulations and carry with you what is required ie..shovel etc… The sand at the crossovers is deep and requires you to navigate intelligently.


CONTACTING BEACH OPERATIONS

Beach Operations Administrator Ryan Brown if working a Thursday to Monday schedule. He can be reached at: brown@duxbury-ma.gov. Ryan may also be reached by phone at 781-934-7034. If you need assistance on a Tuesday or Wednesday, please call 781-934-7034 and someone from the Recreation Department can assist you.

Lastly, if you are on the beach and need assistance, please locate a Beach Ranger and we will do our best to help you. The on-duty supervisor phone number is :1(339) 236-4183.


I hope to see you at the beach!

Gordon H. Cushing
Recreation Director
Town of Duxbury