COURTESY PHOTO
Volunteers will sign in and be given gloves, plastic bags and other supplies.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
NAHANT — Volunteers will meet at the Life Saving Station on Sunday to clean nearby beaches.
Vi Patek, president of Nahant Safer Waters in Massachusetts (SWIM), a nonprofit organization that works to protect the waters around Nahant from pollution, said entire families typically come out to lend a hand in the project.
This year, the focus will be on Short Beach and Black Rock Beach, more commonly known as Doggy Beach because it’s the only stretch of sand where man’s best friend can run free. Patek said Tudor Beach will also be tackled by residents who live nearby.
Two years ago, about 300 people filled enough paper bags with garbage to require 10 Department of Public Works truck loads.
The Nahant Beaches Cleanup Day has become a vital exercise in keeping Nahant clean and free of trash, she said.
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Prior to 2006 when the Nahant Women’s Club decided a major cleanup was necessary, there hadn’t been a major effort in 15 to 20 years, said Patek. Then-vice-president Linda Jenkins contracted divers who found fire hydrants, scooters, lobster pots, large logs, old Christmas trees, and even bikes in the Wharf area.
The most eye-opening discoveries were more than 25 tires pulled from the water and a boat with an engine attached which had sunk across from Dunkin’ Donuts, Patek said.
Cleanups in the following two years were sponsored by the town and coordinated by the Women’s Club. After going five years without a beach clean up, a community group called 01908 took on the task. It was passed on to SWIM in 2015.
The beach cleanup is part of the town’s obligation to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Patek said.
Volunteers can park in the lot beside the softball fields at lowland park. The lot can be accessed off of Ward Road. Handicap parking is available at the Life Saving Station on Nahant Road. Volunteers will sign in and be given gloves, plastic bags and other supplies.
The event will run from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.