For immediate release Contact: Wendy Fox

June 13, 2007 617-626-1453

REMAINING STATE BEACHES AND POOLS TO OPEN SATURDAY

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will open the state’s remaining beaches and pools this Saturday, June 16. A number of the most popular ocean and fresh-water beaches, as well as spray pools and wading pools, have been open since Memorial Day.

DCR operates more than 80 fresh- and salt-water beaches and 29 swimming pools in dozens of communities across Massachusetts. Memorial Day weekend marked the beginning of the swimming season, when many of the most popular beaches began offering lifeguard services on weekends. On June 16, lifeguards will be on duty seven days a week at all lifeguarded areas. DCR has hired about 700 lifeguards for its swimming facilities this summer.

In general, DCR pools will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission to all state pools and beaches is free, though parking fees ranging from $5 to $7 are charged at most beaches. For a full list of Massachusetts state beaches and pools, visit mass.gov/dcr and click on “activities” then “swimming.”

DCR welcomes visitors to the state’s beaches and pools and encourages everyone to take these simple steps to keep themselves and their families safe:

1. Swim within designated swimming areas only.

2. Be sure children are monitored by a parent or guardian at all times. Young children

should be no more than an arm’s reach away from a parent or other adult.

3. Learn how to swim. Both parents and children should learn how to swim.

4. Read and obey all rules and educational signs.

5. Beware of getting too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, or too much strenuous activity.

6. Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first sign of bad weather.

7. Enter the water feet first.

8. Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving, or boating. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and coordination and diminishes your swimming skills. Alcohol is prohibited in all DCR properties.

9. Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.

Practice sun safety as well as water safety: Always wear sunscreen, seek shelter when possible, and drink lots of fluids.