Westford's Edwards Beach In 'Sad' State: Commentary

I recently went to Edwards beach and was flabbergasted at the embarrassing, disturbing and sad state it has become.

Most people work, so after a long day, its still hot and plenty bright...so I decided to bring my kids down to Edwards beach. It's aprox 5pm..and when I arrive I am surprised to find the parking lot almost full? When I exit my car, I almost stepped on a dirty diaper! Hey accidents happen right? I pick it up (using a paper towel from my car) as my kids ask what is that and then say 'ew that's gross'. I walk to the entry area of the beach near the Port-o-potty...hoping to find a trash barrel. Well, what I found was worse, a pile of trash and another dirty diaper on the ground! 'Ew daddy! Look another dirty diaper!' I then begin to notice, trash here, there and everywhere. More in the lot, along the fences, in the bushes and shrubs, all over the playground, on the beach, even in the water! It gets worse! I saw a dirty diaper in the water! 2 dogs in the water, another roaming the beach...no leashes of course. A guy fishing with I presume his teenage son on the beach (no fishing licenses on display as legally obliged), another group smoking and drinking...multiple kids in the water unattended and struggling to swim...mom, dad, anyone, hello? It was absolutely and positively the most unfun, unrelaxing (my daughter is scared of dogs after being bitten before), unenjoyable night I have ever had there. We left almost immediately. I took down the Westford Rec phone number and placed a call and left a message. I also talked with several friends from the Nabnasset neighborhood who confirmed this has been an ongoing problem for years and gets worse every year. Many of them have said they've called the town, Rec dept, DPW, emailed the board of selectmen and even called the police! All to no avail they say, and I saw it first hand, as it seems no one wants or has done anything about what could be and was a very wonderful family spot that Westford Residents all pay taxes for to maintain AND pay A LOT more for additionally for our kids to use during summer school camps, programs and swim lessons as well. Its not just a respect thing now, its also a board of health issue --- > exposed dirty diapers and trash on the ground and in the water is a health hazard not only for Edwards Beach but the ENTIRE NAB POND!

I do know there have been some additional comments about the beach being overrun with non-residents and I did notice and even ask where people were from on another recent night to see if it was really once in while or all the time...the range was from Chelmsford to Lowell to New Hampshire to Littleton to Dracut and Lawrence. I am all for sharing the space (unlike what happened at East Boston camps), but it sure does seem like the after hours crowd was very much on a no rules or regulations agenda. I think the town sells some sort of pass to out-of-towners to use the beach. If it's a source of revenue issue for the town, it is now coupled with a lack of respect and destructive environment that seems very counter productive. I would suggest making it residents only and charging $20 to obtain a resident only town beach sticker, like many other towns and coastal areas do already. Or like the NIA I think it's called does. Again I am all for people enjoying what could be a wonderful spot BUT not if it comes at the expense of local tax paying residents not going anymore, which most of my neighbors have said they don't/won't go to now, because of the current and 'gross' circumstances.

1000++ residents @ $20 each > 100 non residents @ $75 each, and should pay for a trash barrel or two.

The same goes for Forge Pond beach as well…