Friday, May 20, 2022
Baker-Polito Administration Opens Spray Decks Early For Children and Families to Enjoy 15 Facilities Across the Commonwealth to Help the Public Stay Cool this Weekend
Due to elevated temperatures forecasted for this upcoming weekend, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced that it will open 15 spray decks throughout the Commonwealth for children and their families to enjoy. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which manages the spray decks, will begin operating the facilities starting on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
“With high temperatures expected this upcoming weekend, it is important that everybody has safe environments available to them to escape the heat,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our Administration is pleased to open spray decks early throughout the state parks system enabling children and their families a cool break from this weekend’s increased temperatures.”
“Spray decks offer excellent, outdoor activities for children and their families, providing another great reason for us all to visit a state park,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By opening these facilities early this season, it is our hope that the public will take advantage of the increased opportunities this weekend.” The following DCR spray decks will be open this weekend from 8:00AM to 8:00PM, with the exception of the Freetown State Forest Spray Deck, which will be open from 8:00AM-6:00PM: • Alfond Memorial Spray Deck, 280 Charles Street, Boston, • Artesani Playground Spray Deck, 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, • Beaver Brook Spray Deck, 621 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA; • Freetown State Forest Spray Deck, 105 Slab Bridge Road, Freetown, • Holyoke Heritage State Park Spray Deck, 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke, • Magazine Beach Spray Deck, 719 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, • Francis J. McCrehan Spray Deck, 359 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge, • Melnea A. Cass Memorial Spray Deck, 120 Martin Luther King Blvd., Roxbury, • John T. Moynihan Spray Deck, 920 Truman Parkway, Hyde Park, • Neponset Landing II Spray Deck, 72 Hill Top Street, Dorchester, • North Point Spray Deck, 6 Museum Way, Cambridge, • Olsen Spray Deck, 95 Turtle Pond Parkway, Hyde Park, M and, • South West Corridor Spray Decks, located at Mission Hill (One Schroder Plaza, Mission Hill), Johnson (Lamartine and Green Street, Jamaica Plain), and Stony Brook (Lamartine St & Boylston St), Jamaica Plain. “This weekend, we expect high visitor numbers throughout the state parks system where park staff and volunteers have been busy preparing for all to enjoy,” said Energy and environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “By opening spray decks early this season, the Baker-Polito Administration is ensuring children and their families have a respite from the summer-like heat.” The Baker-Polito Administration has taken significant steps making waterbodies safer places. These efforts include posting warning signage in multiple languages at beaches and other properties, making available life rings in the event of an emergency, and offering water safety programming for families to participate in. It’s important to note that pools and designated swimming areas have not opened for the season yet. During this time of year, waterbodies are still warming up and venturing into them can be dangerous due to water temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Swimming in such cold waters, even within a short period of time, can quickly cause hypothermia in the human body. “The Baker-Polito Administration has taken a proactive approach in making the state parks system’s waterfronts and swimming facilities safer for everyone,” said DCR Acting Commissioner Stephanie Cooper.
“With the anticipated elevated temperatures in the coming days, we encourage the public to visit our beaches, parks, and forests for a break from the heat and ask that you exercise safety measures while there.” DCR also continues to recruit lifeguards at many designated swimming areas and pools located throughout the state. This year, the Baker-Polito Administration increased the hourly rate for lifeguards to between $21 and $26 depending on position and associated certifications (last year’s starting rates were $20 for lifeguards and $21 for head lifeguards). Additionally, the agency is offering a $500 retention bonus that will be provided to lifeguards who continue to work for the department through the end of the season.
To learn more about lifeguarding opportunities, please visit the agency’s lifeguarding webpage -https://www.mass.gov/guides/dcr-lifeguarding. Furthermore, the agency is also currently recruiting seasonal positions across the state. DCR manages state parks, forests, coastal and inland beaches, pools and campground facilities from the Berkshires to Cape Cod. Available positions include park rangers, park interpreters, supervisors, pool managers, drivers, coastal shore bird monitors, forestry assistants, buildings and ground maintenance workers, and office assistants. To learn more about DCR seasonal employment, please visit the agency’s seasonal jobs webpage - https://www.mass.gov/guides/dcr-seasonal-jobs.