Opening of city beach at Indian Lake in Worcester delayed due to staffing; most swimming spots open
WORCESTER —Due to staffing limitations, Indian Lake Beach did not open Friday, as originally planned, and will be closed for the foreseeable future.
In addition, needed maintenance work at the Greenwood Spray Park, 14 Forsberg St., has delayed its opening.
All other spray parks, beaches, and the city pool opened as planned Friday. They will be open noon to 7 p.m. daily.
The temperature neared 90 degrees Friday, with sunny skies predicted through the Monday holiday.
The city has struggled to hire enough lifeguards to cover the various swimming spots. The staffing shortage prompted officials to cancel the planned opening of Indian Lake Beach.
“We will continue to recruit lifeguard candidates throughout the summer,” said Robert C.
Antonelli Jr., assistant commissioner for the city Department of Public Works & Parks.
More: City parks, pools, beaches
The Cristoforo Colombo/East Spray Park, 180 Shrewsbury St., and, when it's ready, the Greenwood Spray Park will be open from noon to 7 p.m. every day until Labor Day.
The Crompton Park Pool and city beaches other than Indian Park - Bell Pond, John J. Binienda Memorial Beach at Coes Pond and Shore Park - will be open through Aug. 22.
State-run swimming spots in the city — the Dennis F. Shine Memorial Swimming Pool, Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool at Bennett Field and Quinsigamond State Park — opened two weeks ago.
Last summer, Bell Pond Beach closed for the season after a lifeguard was stabbed. Vandalism at Crompton Park Pool forced a temporary shutdown.
In effect through Sept. 30, Indian Lake has a ban in place on the use of personal watercraft on the lake.
The public is reminded that the city does not recommend swimming in any facility without a lifeguard present.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Looking to cool down over the long (hot) July 4th weekend? Here's where you can in the city