Town of Duxbury - Beach Operations - BEACH UPDATE 7/29/2021

DUXBURY BEACH OPERATIONS  UPDATE
BEACH UPDATE  - 7/29/21

Hello to all our sticker holders for Duxbury Beach, both over-sand and parking lot, resident and non-resident. I hope this email finds you well. Below please find some very important news regarding Duxbury Beach Operations.

CROSSOVER STATUS

As of Friday July 30th, we will be opening the second crossover! ………MIC DROP!!

Our baby piping plovers located near that crossover fully fledged so we can get that crossover open to over sand vehicles.
Having said that, there are restrictions we must carefully follow as we gain access. As of this email there will be room for approximately 160 vehicles in the crossover #2 area. This area will be “boxed in”, at both ends by northern and southern restricted areas. These areas will be designated by traffic cones and sawhorses. No vehicles are allowed into or past those areas, even down along the water’s edge. 

As more chicks fledge, we will begin the yearly process of re-opening more and more area to over sand vehicles. Please understand that each day/week may bring more space to enjoy but it will be coupled with restricted areas where endangered species will still be located. It is critical that vehicles, people, dogs etc…adhere to all the restrictions at all times.

Crossover #2 will open approximately at 8AM and close at 8PM on Friday July 30th . We will allow approximately 80 resident and 80 non-resident vehicles and this could vary slightly due to tides and other factors. Beach Rangers will escort vehicles at the start of the day from the main parking lot to the second crossover. Our Twitter account will provide updates as to if space is available, or not, throughout that day and the days ahead.

The back road remains closed to all traffic south of crossover 2 except for Gurnet/Saquish residents and thie guests. Pull outs remain closed along the back road to all but staff vehicles.

PARKING ON THE BEACH

When you access the beach, I would like to remind you of our parking expectations. Given that there will be a vehicle limit we need you to park with your vehicle in a east/west orientation. In addition, please do not set up tents etc… to the side of your vehicle but rather in back of your vehicle. Installing your “beach gear” to the side takes a parking spot from someone else and decreases the number of over sand vehicles we can get out on the beach. Lastly, remember to not park in the tire track travel lanes as you will impede the flow of vehicles. If you have questions please ask a Beach Ranger as there will be two of them stationed in or around crossover #2 all day.

NORTHERN LOT

I anticipate that the over sand areas at crossover #2 will reach capacity at times over the next few days. The Northern Lot will be open starting at 8 am each day to provide additional space for stickered non-resident vehicles. Residents with over sand stickers may use the resident lot to park if we max out on the beach. Also, good news to report that you may now bring your dogs with you t the Northern Lot, as long as they are leashed and have the appropriate dog walking permit. They must be leashed at all times and must stay in only areas where they are allowed ie..not in dunes or restricted areas.

SPEEDING

On the Debbie downer side, we are seeing too much speeding in and around the property. This includes on the Powder Point Bridge. The speed limit on the bridge is 10MPH. Please be more vigilant in adhering to that limit. The back road speed limit is posted for 15 MPH, and at times will be reduced to 5 MPH with endangered species activity. We need your help with this important matter. Last thing we want to do, but will, is write tickets and suspend sticker privileges. Thank you in advance!!

DOGS

Dogs are allowed on the front beach in the area just opened east of crossover #2.  Dogs must be leashed at all times. All dogs must  have the appropriate dog walking permit issued by  the Town of Duxbury. Leashed dogs must be kept out of all restricted areas, fenced off areas etc.… 

Dogs are allowed on the bayside south of the Powder Point Bridge as long as they are leashed at all times and stay out of vegetation and all restricted areas. Finally, dogs are still not allowed north of the Powder Point Bridge, bayside, or on the front beach directly east of the resident lot or Duxbury Beach Park.  Please pay close attention to all signage regarding dogs and the rules that apply to them on the property.

Enjoy the beach!

Gordon H. Cushing
Recreation Director
Town of Duxbury