Mayor Walsh announces family friendly beach to open June 20

Mayor Martin J. Wash announced that a new Family Friendly Beach will open on Saturday, June 20, at the M Street entrance of the Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) Curley Community Center at 1663 Columbia Road in South Boston. The Mayor made the announcement at "Mondays with the Mayor” at Excel High School in South Boston.

“Boston is a city on the water and the Family Friendly Beach will make it easier for our families to access our beautiful and clean Harbor in a family-friendly setting,” said Mayor Walsh. “I am pleased to add another low cost summer option to our wide array of summer activities and programs.” 

The Family Friendly Beach will offer families access to an enclosed stretch of beach on Boston Harbor, restrooms with changing tables, picnic tables with umbrellas, outdoor showers, beach game equipment, WiFi and the use of an indoor area. Family memberships are available for a $5 fee. 

"I believe that the Family Friendly Beach will become a popular spot for families,” said Christopher Byner, Interim Executive Director of Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) which manages the BCYF Curley along with 34 other community centers.  “It gives us the opportunity to showcase all of the great programs and activities that BCYF Curley Community Center has to offer, especially, our recently renovated teen center." 

South Boston resident Nancy Minucci is looking forward to bringing her family to the Family Friendly Beach.  "I know the families of South Boston will love this idea by Mayor Walsh,” said Minucci.  “Having a designated family beach in the BCYF Curley is a fantastic opportunity for families to enjoy a great beach in a relaxed family friendly setting."

The BCYF Curley Community Center opened as the L Street Bathhouse in 1931 to give working families access to showers, recreation and enjoyment. It is the largest public recreational facility in the City of Boston and is a quarter of a mile long. It is primarily a fitness center with a wide variety of exercise classes and equipment but it also offers an engaging teen center and an active senior program.

The Family Friendly Beach will be open seven days a week through Labor Day weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.  Memberships are available at the K Street entrance of the Center.