New England weather did its usual spring thing this week, going straight from raw to roasting. As temperatures rose from the 50s to the high 80s with barely a pause in between, many Harvard residents’ thoughts naturally turned to Bare Hill Pond for warm-weather recreation.
Alexandra Luck, who is returning as beach director, said by phone that the beach is technically “open” year round. She said lifeguards may be on duty some weekends between now and the end of the school year, depending on weather. Luck said she expects to begin regular staffing in after-school hours the last week of school, which begins June 13.
Swimming lessons start in July
The beach season goes into full swing when swimming lessons start on July 5 this year, which is a Tuesday. That’s because the traditional Fourth of July games will be held at the beach on Monday that week, Luck explained.
Luck said that hours when lifeguards are on duty will be the same as last year (which are still posted on the Bare Hill Pond page of the Parks and Recreation Commission website, reachable through a link on the town website). On weekends and on weekdays with no swimming lessons, hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On days when lessons are scheduled, hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As in previous years, parking at the beach from April to October requires a sticker. Residents and taxpayers can purchase the beach sticker at Town Hall when it reopens after its move, online at the Parks and Rec website, or at the beach when it is staffed.
Luck described a couple of special events planned for this year at the pond. The beach bonfire, she said, will be Friday, July 29. And sometime in the fall, Parks and Recreation will organize a community building event to set up a new swing set and playground structure.
Luck said she has an email account specifically for beach matters: HarvardBeachDirector@gmail.com. She encouraged residents to use this email to communicate concerns and make suggestions about beach programs, facilities equipment, staff, and policies.
Beware of rocks!
While the pond was drawn down last winter, Harbormaster Bob Shea spent some cold days out on the muck setting up moorings for Harvard boaters. He said the two docks have also been repaired and improved.
In a phone conversation, Shea said the 20 outer moorings and 16 inner moorings are all in place, set in a grid and secured so that they should not drift. Those 36 moorings are the ones boat owners can rent. In addition, the nine buoys for mooring town sailboats have also been upgraded.
Shea warned boaters to beware of rocks in unexpected places for this time of year because, he said, the pond is about a foot lower than normal for spring.
