Officials Kick Off Summer Season: Waterfronts to Open Across the State This Weekend

It’s time to jump in, play ball and enjoy the outdoors. On Thursday in Natick, officials welcomed the recreational season with a kick-off event.

The Baker-Polito Administration, led by Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Carol Sanchez, announced at the MassParks Kick-Off event at Cochituate State Park that the summer recreational season will begin this weekend with the opening of waterfronts across the Commonwealth.

Lifeguards will begin staffing inland and ocean beaches on weekends, while parks and campgrounds will increase staff for summer activities.

“As this weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, I encourage Massachusetts residents and visitors to take advantage of the many wonderful opportunities we have for outdoor recreation at DCR’s 449,000 acres of forests, beaches, campgrounds and mountains,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, the Commonwealth’s beautiful state parks are a valuable resource all can enjoy.”

“As an avid sportsman and outdoorsman, I am thrilled to be at Cochituate State Park to kick off the start of the summer recreational season, and I urge everyone to visit our state parks and beaches this summer,” said EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton in the announcement. “A great appreciation for the environment and the importance of protecting it can only come from time spent in nature.”

The schedule for DCR pools and beaches is as follows:

· Spray Decks will open Saturday, May 23, 2015, 7 days a week through Sept. 7, 2015;
· Artesani and Ryan Wading pools open Saturday, May 23, 2015, weekends only until Saturday June 27, 2015 when they open 7 days a week;
· Early Start beaches open this Saturday, May 23, 2015 weekends only until Saturday, June 20, 2015 when they open 7 days a week;
· Full-sized swimming pools open 7 days a week starting June 27, 2015.

Parking, water quality testing and restroom facilities open at many DCR beaches this weekend as well, and then expand to seven days a week on June 20.

Photo Credit: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation