SWANSEA - The Swansea Beach Committee has announced that the beach will officially open on Friday, June 26, for the summer season, according to a press release.
Visitors are required to maintain appropriate social distancing at all times and, when not possible, wear a face covering (mask). Coverings are not required while in the water. On the beach, visitors are required to maintain a 12-foot space for social distancing to allow for free movement on the beach. No sporting activities are allowed in 2020. Certified Life Guards will be on duty, weather permitting, each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will use the entrance nearest to the new bath house beginning on June 26.
To insure adequate social distancing the Committee has followed recommendations to limit capacity at the facility thus parking will be reduced to approximately half-capacity this season. Also, to minimize personal contact, only Season Passes will be available this season and limited to Swansea residents only. There will be no daily passes. Residents are strongly urged to pay for the season pass ($15) with a check. Illegal parking will be strictly enforced.
After much consideration and discussion with Town officials, it was determined that adhering to sanitation requirements for the bath house would be impossible and very costly, thus there will be no rest room facilities at the beach this season. Sanitation requirements for Porta-Jon’s are more demanding eliminating their availability as well.
Although 2020 will be a different season at the beach, the Committee is excited for residents to come and enjoy this beautiful facility despite the limitations. It has been a challenge that could not have been pulled together without the assistance of the Board of Selectmen and their office, Board of Health, Swansea Police Department, Swansea Fire Department, Waterfront Revitalization Committee, and the tireless hard work of the staff of the Highway Services Department and their Director.
Guidelines
All beach visitors are to comply Executive Order 31 requiring face coverings in public places when social distancing is not possible.
There are NO restroom facilities on the beach this season. Water fountain and rinse stations will also be closed.
The Swansea Town Beach has long had a ‘Take what you bring’ policy. Beach visitors are required to take all trash with them. There are no trash receptacles at the facility. Visitors are not to use seaweed dumpster in the parking lot
No groups larger than 10 are allowed to gather on the beach or grounds.
To allow for adequate social distancing a minimum of 12 feet distance must be maintained between toweling/beach blanket groups on the beach.
As a guide, bright orange paint has been applied on the bordering snow fence at 12 foot intervals to assist beach visitors maintain the required 12 foot distancing. Please locate accordingly on the beach.
Parking capacity should be reduced to insure appropriate social distancing.
The town beach parking will be limited to half its normal capacity to adhere to this Guideline, for 2020 only, entrance is limited to Swansea Residents.
Admission/Entry transactions are encouraged to be carried out with minimum contact thus, just for 2020, only season passes will be sold to Swansea residents, $15, checks preferred. No day passes sold.
Organized ball games and sporting activity are not allowed this year including volleyball, Frisbee, football, etc…..
Minimum distance from Life Guards is 6 feet unless in the case of an emergency.
The Town of Swansea reserves the right to rescind the season pass of any residents who is in violations of these guidelines or the beach regulations.
Swansea Town Beach Regulations
1. All violators of these regulations are subject to arrest.
2. Closing hours of the beach will be at dusk and posted by the Beach Facilities (AKA Swansea Beach Committee) and the Board of Selectmen.
3. The Town of Swansea will not be responsible or liable for stolen property, loss of goods, or any act of vandalism to property or injury to persons.
4. There will be no drinking of alcohol beverages in or out of vehicles on the beach, in the roadways, or in the parking areas to include the boat launch area.
5. No person shall swim within one hundred yards of the boat ramp on the northerly side of the peninsula.
6. Rowdy groups will be asked to move or leave the area.
7. After the beach is closed, groups will not be allowed to congregate on the beach, in the lots, or on the roadways unless authorized by the Selectmen.
8. Any vehicles on the beach parking area at closing are subject to tagging and/or towing at the owners expense.
9. Animals (with the exception of service animals) are strictly prohibited from all beach areas. Violators will be fined $25.00 for the first offense, $50 for the second and $100 thereafter.
10. No breaking of glass on the beach, in the parking areas, or on the roadways, will be allowed. No dumping of personal trash will be allowed. Violators will be fined $50.00 for each offense.
11.The driving of any unauthorized private vehicles on the beach or any other areas not identified as ‘parking area’ is strictly prohibited. Subject to a $100 fine.
12. All fires (including fires/grilling, and barbecue equipment) are strictly prohibited. Subject to a $50 fine for the first offense and $100 thereafter.