Adjusted Beach Policies Summer 2020

NORTH OF BOSTON BEACH UPDATE

Updated: 9/18/2020

*information subject to change*

Swampscott beaches – open to Swampscott Residents with a town recreation parking pass

Nahant beaches – operated by Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) – open sunrise to sunset. Daily parking fees are $10 MA residents; $40 non-MA residents. Parking areas at Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservation closed to aid in the prevention of spreading Covid-19. On-street parking along the ocean side of the roadway are closed.

Salem 

Winter Island

• • • Due to the need to ensure more physical distancing and manage park capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, non-resident parking will be restricted to 25% of the available parking (approximately 31 spaces) on weekends. No non-resident vehicles will be admitted into the park once this parking area is full.
    • The non-resident day parking fee to enter Winter Island will be increased to $25 on weekends.
    • These changes do not impact vehicles with a Winter Island Parking Sticker or required boat access regulations.

Forest River Park

• • • To reduce the amount of trash in the park, the Department of Public Services will relocate all the barrels in the park to a more convenient location along the edge of the parking lot and will increase the frequency of trash collection. Visitors are asked to carry their trash out of the park to the relocated barrels. Signage to that effect will be installed.
    • Salem Police and Park, Recreation, and Community Services Rangers will increase patrols of the park during daylight hours and Salem Police will increase patrols of the park at night.
    • The City will conduct a license plate survey of the parking area during the day this weekend in order to determine if future non-resident parking restrictions are necessary in the park.
    • The parking lot at Forest River Park will be gated and closed to entry at night.

Salem Willows

• • • Salem Police and Park, Recreation, and Community Services Rangers will increase patrols of the park during daylight hours and Salem Police will increase patrols of the park at night.

Singing Beach and all Manchester beaches – only residents allowed until further notice.

Rockport beaches are open to everyone. Parking is kiosk metered. The public restrooms are open until 6 p.m. 

Gloucester A public health emergency still exists and we all need to act accordingly. Face coverings/masks are required when out in public and unable to maintain a 6’ distance from others.  Please safely and respectfully enjoy our beautiful beaches and open spaces. Good Harbor and Wingaersheek Beaches are open to residents and a limited number of non-residents, at a reduced capacity.  Stage Fort Park is open to the public. Parking at Good Harbor, Wingaersheek, and Stage Fort Park is available to residents with a 2020 beach parking sticker.  Non-residents will be required to pay daily parking rates.  Cash only and exact change is preferred.  Parking at Niles and Plum Cove Beaches is limited to residents only.   Parking lots fill up fast on a first come, first serve basis.  Lots typically fill up by 9 a.m. and begin to reopen in the afternoon. Follow Gloucester Beaches on Facebook for real time updates.  Statewide boating, marine and inland waterway guidance amid COVID-19 was recently amended, urging boaters to limit rafting-up or tying-up boats to a maximum of three vessels.  Boaters and beachgoers violating Gov. Charlie Baker’s Emergency Order requiring a face mask when social distancing, staying six feet away from others, cannot be maintained in public, indoors or outdoors, could face fines up to $300.  Those violating the maximum boat rafting limit of three vessels may also be fined up to $500.  

Crane Beach – Open to all via Timed Entry Pass or valid Ipswich resident sticker only. Crane Beach Permit holders, Trustees Members, and the public must reserve Timed Entry Pass in advance. Hours are 8AM-6PM daily (Ipswich resident lot stays open until 8PM). The Snack Shack is open 11AM-4PM, and Beach Store from 9AM-5PM. Restrooms are available, but no showers, changing rooms, or water fountains. Passes are released on Monday at Noon for Tu/We/Th/Fr and on Thursday at Noon for Sa/Su/Mo. CLICK HERE TO GET PASSES.

Newburyport beaches: Newburyport’s Plum Island Point parking lot will be closed to nonresidents through Labor Day. Mayor Donna Holaday announced this last week, stating the closure will help with crowd control on the island. Private parking lots are still open for nonresidents. In addition, no parking will be allowed on Northern Boulevard. All streets off Northern Boulevard will also be strictly enforced. Violators will be ticketed and towed. As of 8/21, the National Wildlife Refuge beach is open to the public via parking lots 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. Stage Island Trail, Pines Trail and Boardwalk 5 are open. Limited restroom facilities at Sub-Headquarters and Hellcat Parking lots. 

Salisbury beaches: Beaches are open and not restricted to MA residents. There are two town-owned beach parking lots and several on-street spaces with kiosk paying around the beach center. Some spaces are limited to 2 or 3 hours, but others allow all-day parking at higher rates. The Salisbury Beach State Reservation is open ($14 for MA residents; $40 for all non-MA residents). Parking is limited. Due to public health concerns, the Town has closed off the back section of the larger of its two parking lots for this summer, reducing capacity by over 200 cars.  There is a large digital sign stationed near the entrance of the lot indicating that the lot is operating at reduced capacity. Face masks and social distancing are required when ordering food at take-out restaurants in the beach center.  The Town has hired health monitors to patrol the area and remind visitors of State health guidelines.

Beverly: As of 9/18/20, all beaches and parks in Beverly, including Lynch Park, are open to non-residents and parking is free.  The “Resident Only Parking” and “No Parking” signs near Dane Street Beach and other waterfront areas will be removed ASAP.