Town of Duxbury - Beach Operations - BEACH UPDATE 6/2/2021
TOWN OF DUXBURY – BEACH OPERATIONS
Beach Update – 6/2/21
Hello Duxbury Beach sticker holder, I hope this email finds you well. Below please find the email I promised last week with some important updates.
COVID
As you are aware the outdoor mask mandate and past vehicle restrictions on spacing have now been lifted. Please continue to practice social distancing when possible. Staff will be working to remove all covid related signage at the beach in the next few days. We will store the signs but I truly hope we never use them again!!
BEACH LIFEGUARDS
Town of Duxbury Beach Lifeguards will be on duty the next two weekends. Their full-time, seven day per week schedule begins either 6/14 or 6/21 and that decision will be made based on the weather. A reminder that we do not allow floats in our supervised area, and kites are forbidden all together. The ocean temp is still quite cold, but if you are brave enough – enjoy. Signage will indicate the area that lifeguards supervise by “sandwich” board signs located on the front beach.
CROSSOVER CLOSURES
Since 5/26 night time over sand driving has been restricted due to endangered species activity, and crossovers have closed at 8 pm daily.
As I mentioned in my last email, the dates of the crossover closures could change based on weather and tides. Over the past weekend, weather, high tides and wave action caused some plover nests to be washed away, and some of this will impact the timing of crossover closures.
As of today’s email, we expect crossover #1 to be closed on 6/18. You may recall the original date was anticipated to be 6/4.
We still anticipate crossover #2 to close on 6/11. Crossover #3 remains closed.
Please be very mindful that on a daily basis restricted area can and will change. Pay close attention to any and all signage as you drive on the beach and avoid these areas.
Overflow parking for Non-Resident sticker holders
If non-resident over sand limit is reached non residents will have access to the overflow parking lot, located north of Blakeman’s, as in year’s past.
These spots are for non-resident only with current beach stickers and will be available on a first come first served basis. There are approximately 90 spots in this lot.
STUCK VEHICLES
If your vehicle becomes stuck, I wanted you to have a number for a towing service. The number for Sea Tow is, 1- (781) 834-5242, keep in mind there is a cost that the towing firm will require from you. You should exhaust all other available options before contacting them! Please be aware that the Town of Duxbury staff cannot pull your vehicle out. Many times, wonderful assistance is offered from your fellow beach patrons, but you may not always be able to rely on that. Last weekend’s rain and tides will provide some assistance in packing the soft sand down but driving on the front beach this year is challenging
SPEED LIMITS
A reminder that speed limits on our bridge is 10 mph. Speed limit on the back road is 15mph, but there are areas marked where you are required to reduce your speed on the road to 5mph due to endangered species activity. Please adhere at all times to those speed limits.
RESTRICTED AREAS
Restricted over-sand driving areas can change daily due to endangered species activity. In particular and for example there is currently a large restricted area in between the first and second crossover. The area in the “soft sand “ is designated by rebar and twine and the area has signage that indicates no vehicles and no bikes.
What is VERY IMPORTANT for our patrons to remember is that ALL restricted areas run all the way to the water line at each end. Therefore, it is NOT PERMITTED to drive along the water’s edge in this area. Patrons with vehicles and bikes must stop at the restricted area and turn around.
Please ask a beach ranger if you are confused about this restriction.
BEACH RANGER TRAINING
I thought you might like to know that our staff had a multitude of training sessions last week. All Staff became certified in CPR/First Aid and AED. Our own Aquatic Supervisor, Christian Cipolletti conducted the training at our Town Pool- Percy Walker Pool last Friday.
Staff also attended verbal de-escalation training with the Duxbury Police Department followed by ROCCC training on phone and radio ops requirements.
All Beach Rangers attended a lengthy training last week relating to endangered species conducted by Duxbury Beach Reservation Staff.
Lastly, our staff was trained by me on our Department policies, expectations and procedures.
BEACH OPERATIONS CONTACT INFORMATION
I wanted to again make patrons aware of pathways to contact us, and /or get up to date information on a daily basis.
Our twitter page is :@BeachDuxbury
Our Instagram is: Duxbury_beach_ops
Neither the Twitter or the Instagram is monitored 24/7 and is for informational purposes only. We will not be using these social media platforms to respond to questions or concerns.
The email to submit questions or concerns is: brown@town.duxbury.ma.us.
Mr. Brown’s direct phone number is 781-934-7034 ext 2, and he works a Wednesday through Sunday work week. On days when Mr. Brown is not working call the same number as above and someone will assist you as soon as possible.
HAVE NOT RECIVED YOUR STICKER YET?
If you have purchased your sticker and not received it yet, via online or from Town Hall, please bring proof of your purchase. This will be permitted for a while longer.
Hope to see you at the best beach around!
Gordon H. Cushing
Recreation Director
Town of Duxbury