Save the Harbor awards $32G to support free beach programs

Groups supporting beaches in Lynn, Nahant and Revere have received $32,000 in grants for free summer events as part of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s 2015 Better Beaches Program.”The region’s public beaches are an extraordinary asset to the residents of Boston’s waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities from Nahant to Nantasket,” said Save the Harbor spokesman Bruce Berman. “It was a wicked winter. We want to thank the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, and all our program sponsors and partners for making this a spectacular summer for the more than 1 million people who live just a short ride or drive from the coast.”Save the Harbor/Save the Bay launched the Better Beaches Program with the support of The Boston Foundation in 2008 to help local communities and beaches friends groups create and sustain free events and activities on the region’s public beaches, as recommended by the Metropolitan Beaches Commission.On Saturday, the organization announced awards totaling more than $200,000 to local groups, including $32,000 awarded among beaches in Lynn, Nahant and Revere.Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach received $10,000 for the Red Rock Summer Concert Series.Friends of Heritage State Park received $2,000 to support the World Music Festival.Revere Beach Partnership received $20,000 to support the International Sand Sculpting Festival.”At hearings from Nahant to Nantasket, we heard repeatedly that modest investments in free events and programs can put these beaches to work for our communities,” said state Sen. Thomas M. McGee, Metropolitan Beaches Commission co-chair.In addition, all metropolitan beaches will benefit from a $4,000 grant to support a documentary photography project capturing images of each of the beaches. All metropolitan beaches will also share a $5,000 grant for artist Andres Amadore to create sand paintings.”The people of this region love their beaches,” said commission Co-Chair state Rep. RoseLee Vincent. “Thanks to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for making this happen.”