Mid Massachusetts News

UPDATE: Shore Park will open Saturday, July 1.

Due to statewide staffing shortages, the City of Worcester’s aquatic facilities will open with limited staffing and resources this summer. The staffing and capacity of the City’s spray parks, pools, and beaches will vary with a staggered opening approach.

Cristoforo Colombo Spray Park (East Park) and Greenwood Spray Park do not require lifeguard attendants and will open on Friday, June 30. They will operate seven days a week until Monday September 4 (Labor Day) from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.

Bell Pond Beach and Coes Pond Beach (John J. Binienda Memorial Beach) will open on Friday, June 30 with no lifeguards or parks attendants on duty. Individuals can access the beach at their own risk from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily until Monday September 4 (Labor Day). Bathroom facilities will be closed but portable toilets will be available.

Shore Park Beach, which is operated by the Greendale YMCA, will open on Saturday, July 1 and operate seven days a week from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily until Sunday, August 20.

Crompton Park Pool is scheduled to open on Tuesday, July 4 with limited capacity and lifeguard attendants. It will operate from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily until Monday September 4 (Labor Day).

Indian Lake Beach will not open this season.

“Recruitment for the City’s aquatic facilities began in January of this year. Every effort was made to incentivize employment, including compensation for certification, bathing suit reimbursement, and bonus opportunities,” said Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Rob Antonelli Jr. “We worked with the local colleges, Worcester Public Schools, and our own Human Resources department on recruitment strategies. There is a statewide shortage of lifeguards and internally we’ve run through every scenario possible to get our facilities up and running with an extreme scarcity of staffing.”

With an emphasis on safety, added police presence will be placed around the unattended facilities, namely Bell Pond Beach and Coes Pond Beach while additional Worcester Police patrols and Parks Security will be made available to the understaffed facilities.

“The benefit and significance of the City’s aquatic facilities cannot be understated,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “We know that the City’s pools, beaches and spray parks provide recreation, socialization, and much needed relief from the heat to residents of all ages. It was important that we find a balanced solution to meet the community’s needs despite the shortfalls in staffing. We will monitor the use and demand on each facility, continue to recruit, and adapt as needed throughout the summer.”

Residents are encouraged to supplement their recreation with the three State-operated facilities within the City of Worcester:

Dennis F. Shine Memorial Swimming Pool, 146 Providence St.

Quinsigamond State Park, 10 N. Lake Ave.

Veterans Memorial (Bennett Field) Swimming Pool, 1270 Main St.

Original source can be found here.