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Report: Greater Boston Beaches Improving, More Funding Needed

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Seagulls fly above Revere Beach. (Dr. RawheaD/Flickr)
Seagulls fly above Revere Beach. (Dr. RawheaD/Flickr)

After a long and tough winter, summer weather is finally here in Massachusetts, and many Bostonians have already started weekend treks to Cape Cod, New Hampshire and Maine. But you may be surprised to learn that the public beaches in the greater Boston area get about 1.5 million visitors each summer.

Those beaches — in places like Hull, Quincy, South Boston, Lynn and Revere — are cleaner and more attractive these days than they were just a few years ago. They have less litter, fewer broken water fountains, cleaner bath houses and more life guards.

A new report out Tuesday from the Metropolitan Beaches Commission says many of our local beaches still have a ways to go. WBUR’s Sacha Pfeiffer gets details on the report's recommendations, which include more state funding for maintenance workers and lifeguards, public programming and clean-up equipment.

Guest

Bruce Berman, director  of communication and strategy for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. He tweets at @bostonsbaywatch.

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The Boston Globe: Gains For Boston-Area Beaches, Warning On Cutbacks

  • "State-owned beaches in Greater Boston are in much better condition than they were several years ago — the waters off South Boston are now deemed among the cleanest of the country’s urban beaches — but those gains are in jeopardy unless funding is found to support continued efforts, according to a state-authorized study."

The Patriot Ledger: State Report Lists Improvements, Fixes Needed At Wollaston, Nantasket Beaches

  • "Dog waste, water quality and lack of space for bicyclist are continuing problems at Wollaston Beach in Quincy, while coastal erosion, lack of public transportation and parking during peak season remain problem areas at Nantasket Beach in Hull, the Metropolitan Beaches Commission says in a report."

This segment aired on June 3, 2014.

Headshot of Sacha Pfeiffer

Sacha Pfeiffer Host, All Things Considered
Sacha Pfeiffer was formerly the host of WBUR's All Things Considered.

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