Wilmington Town Beach To Remain Closed

WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Town Beach will remain closed this summer, the town reaffirmed more than a month after first announcing the decision.

The town made a second effort to recruit lifeguards to staff the beach, but failed to find enough qualified ones, according to an announcement. No certification classes are currently being offered due to the virus, and extra staff would be needed to enforce social distancing requirements.

The town also decided to keep the beach closed because social distancing is "extremely difficult to meet at small beaches like Town Beach."

With groups of up to 10 people, each six feet apart, separated groups by 12 feet, the beach would fill up with a very small population.

The town noted that other towns including Lexington, Belmont, Bedford, Wellesley, Needham and Newton have made the same decision for town beaches and pools. Beaches that have opened without staff and "swim at your own risk" guidance have been closed after patrons failed to observe social distancing.

"It is also recommended that there be a separate entrance and exit provided for all patrons," the release continues. "Again, this would require additional staff to monitor an additional gate. Other challenges include the fact that changing rooms cannot be open, and there is always the concern that if a patron does contract the coronavirus, it could be transmitted at the beach. While we understand the disappointment in the Beach being off limits, we are looking forward to keeping residents safe and healthy this summer, and active at all of the other parks, trails, fields and playgrounds in town."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.