300 Children Splash To Beat the Heat on Constitution Beach at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Beach Bash and Splash

Special to the Times-Free Press

On Wednesday, July 20, in the midst of a heat emergency, 300 kids from East Boston and nine Boston area communities beat the heat at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Beach Bash and Splash at Constitution Beach.

Winthrop Parks and Recreation Program Director James Carroll brought 30 kids from the town’s summer program, and was glad he did. “All smiles,” said Carrol.

Children from nine communities hit the water last week at Constitution Beach as part of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Beach Bash and Splash.
Rep. Adrian Madaro and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Executive Director Chris Mancini on Constitution Beach with The Boston Circus Guild, and A Trike Called Funk.

“Its not every day that the kids get to go fishing and kayaking, but what the kids loved best was the dance circle, they were ecstatic about the face painting. We do face painting every now and then but the staff at Save the Harbor killed it. They all look super cool.”

Save the Harbor’s staff encouraged all participants to drink plenty of water (courtesy of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission), enjoy frosty treats (courtesy of the Boston Police Department’s ice cream truck), apply plenty of sunscreen, and stay cool in the water or the shade.

East Boston Rep. Adrian Madaro was pleased to see so many kids and families on the beach. “Constitution Beach is the primary point of contact with the cool clean water of Boston’s spectacular harbor,” said Madaro. “Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s free beach programs really bring our kids, adults, and people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds together. This is what makes our community beautiful.”

“We love being at Constitution Beach,” said Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Executive Director Chris Mancini. “The water is clean and cool, and it is easy to get to by the T or by car or van, making it one of the region’s most accessible beaches for people of all abilities. But what I like the best is how it truly brings the community closer together.”

While a Trike Called Funk performed a live DJ set, and the Boston Circus Guild amazed people with aerial arts, acrobatics, and juggling, kids also enjoyed fishing, swimming, beach sports, a touch tank and face painting.

“Just hand a kid a lifejacket and a paddle and get them on the water and you can see the stress of everyday life disappear,” said Alex DeFronzo of Piers Park Sailing Center in East Boston which provided free kayak instruction at the event. “Thanks to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the Metropolitan Beaches Commission for making it possible. I wish they had the resources to do this every day on every urban beach.”

As the event came to an end, children left with new friends, skills, and experiences, having beat the heat on Constitution Beach. The Beach Bash and Splash was one of many free events happening on our metropolitan beaches this summer. Visit https://www.savetheharbor.org/better-beaches to view the full calendar of upcoming events and learn more about our Better Beaches Program.

According to Save the Harbor/Save the Bays Development Director Patricia Salic, free beach events like this would not be possible without their program partners and event sponsors, including Arctic Chill and Harpoon Brewery, JetBlue, FMC Ice Sports, P&G Gillette, National Grid, Coast Cannabis, the Daily Catch, Comcast, Mix 104.1, iZotope, Inc, The Blue Sky Collaborative, Boston & Maine Webcams, BostonHarbor.com, The Boston Foundation, and The Richard Saltonstall Charitable Foundation.

In addition, Save the Harbor recognized the Metropolitan Beaches Commission Co-Chairs Senator Brendan Crighton of Lynn, and Representative Adrian Madaro of East Boston and the legislative and community members of the Commission as well as Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano for their support for their beaches and communities. Save the Harbor also thanked the Baker-Polito Administration, the Massachusetts Legislature, Save the Harbor’s partners at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the YMCA of Greater Boston, and the hundreds of people who took part in the Shamrock Splash for their support.

A copy of this release and a calendar of Better Beaches events is available in more than 100 languages on Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s blog Sea, Sand & Sky at http://blog.savetheharbor.org

To learn more about Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the great work they do to restore, protect and share Boston Harbor, the waterfront, islands, and the region’s public beaches with all Bostonians and the region’s residents, visit their website at www.savetheharbor.org and follow @savetheharbor on social media.

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