The City of Gloucester prepares for a busy summer season in advance of Memorial Day Weekend.
In collaboration with several City departments, Mayor Greg Verga has been actively planning for the busy summer season in Gloucester. To engage our essential tourism industry and address resident concerns, the City has instituted several new systems and worked together to improve existing structures.
Gloucester’s Department of Public Works (DPW) has been consistently working to ready the community for the approaching warm weather. Parking enforcement at Good Harbor Beach, Wingaersheek Beach, and Stage Fort Park will officially begin on Saturday, May 28th. Non-residents will be required to make parking reservations via the City’s new online beach parking reservation system. Gloucester residents can purchase their resident beach parking sticker online, through the mail, or in person at City Hall.
Our City beaches have a “Carry In-Carry Out” policy for trash – dumpsters and trash bins are located at the beaches. Littering on city beaches is prohibited and punishable by fines up to $100.
“It is important that every beachgoer do their part to keep Gloucester’s beaches clean and beautiful so that everyone can enjoy them,” said Mayor Verga. “We appreciate our visitors and residents following the trash policy.”
The City continues to monitor the Piping Plovers currently nesting at Good Harbor Beach. Our DPW and Conservation Department are diligently working to ensure another safe season for the protected species. All beachgoers should respect the nesting areas and are encouraged to report any violations. Due to the protected nesting area, our DPW cannot utilize the beach rake and rely on staff to help maintain the beaches.
The Gloucester Health Department has been regularly monitoring the creek at Good Harbor Beach. As of May 26, 2022, the test results for the creek were within acceptable limits, and the creek will be open for Memorial Day Weekend. The City will have updated test results early next week and will continue to update the community on the status. Beachgoers should pay close attention to all signage at the beaches and respect all determinations made regarding the creek.
Due to staffing shortages, the DPW may experience delays in regular mowing schedules for City parks and public spaces. The City asks for patience and understanding regarding the potential mowing delays. Seasonal porta potties have been placed throughout the City and are scheduled for regular maintenance and cleaning. Residents should submit neighborhood concerns and improvements via SeeClickFix.
The Gloucester Police Department has been preparing for the upcoming summer season. Parking enforcement will begin to ramp up starting Memorial Day Weekend, and officers will continue to monitor resident-only parking restrictions closely. Gloucester residents can purchase the multi-year resident-only sticker at City Hall. Visitors and residents should pay close attention to parking restrictions and signage. The City encourages residents to contact the Police Department’s non-emergency phone number to report parking violations.
The City’s parking kiosks are scheduled to be turned on Friday, May 27th. Visitors are able to pay with credit cards or coins at the kiosks or via the Flowbird parking app. The Pay-by-Plate system eliminates the need for drivers to place a paper receipt on their dashboard, and parking enforcement will be managed by the license plate number. The City hopes that the new system will increase parking space turnover for our local businesses.
Gloucester’s Harbormaster will have the Public Launch fully operational Friday, May 27th. Season passes are available for purchase at the Harbormaster’s office for permitted mooring holders within the boundaries of Gloucester Harbor Launch.
The Mayor’s office understands that the summer months present several challenges for our City staff and residents. Our local restaurants and businesses depend on our City’s visitors and tourists, so we ask for patience and understanding from our residents.
For more information regarding Gloucester Beaches, visit: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/299/Beach-Information
For more information regarding the public launch, visit: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/838/Launch-Service
For more information regarding SeeClickFix, visit: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/835/Citizen-Request
About The City of Gloucester, Massachusetts
America’s oldest seaport, the City of Gloucester, is known throughout the world as an authentic, working waterfront community, a place of spectacular natural beauty, and home to a diverse population of approximately 30,000 residents. Its sharp focus on economic development has helped build its reputation as the ideal location to live, work, and play. An important center for the fishing industry, Gloucester is also proud of its vibrant cultural life and rich art heritage. Gloucester is a destination for thousands of visitors who visit the harbor and its beaches during the summer months. The City will be celebrating its 400th Anniversary in 2023. For more information, please visit www.gloucester-ma.gov.
