Beaches in Lynn and Nahant will be busy this summer, as the communities have received $28,000 in grant funding for waterfront community events.
The funding comes from the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, which worked together to award more than $315,000 for free beachfront events in the Boston area this year through the Better Beaches Program.
“One of our top priorities at DCR is ensuring our beaches are welcoming and accessible to people of all backgrounds, incomes, and abilities,” DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo said in a press release. “As part of that work, we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Save the Harbor and to make this investment in the Better Beaches Program that will help foster a sense of community at our metropolitan waterfronts by bringing free diverse and inclusive programming throughout the summer season.”
The $28,000 will fund nine different programs taking place from June through September across the two municipalities, beginning with the Lynn Music Festival at King’s Beach on June 22. Other programs include the Veterans’ Beach Party hosted by E.F. Gilmore Disabled American Veterans of Lynn/Swampscott at King’s Beach, the North Shore Juneteenth Association’s Diversity Matters Festival, sand mandala coloring led by Lynn resident Trinidad Martinez on King’s Beach and Nahant Beach, Raw Art Works’ VanGo! to the Beach event at King’s Beach, Love Your Magic’s Be Well Retreat at Lynn Beach, 313WON Production’s African Arabian Nights 3, the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach’s summer concerts and movie night at Red Rock Park, and plein air painting led by LynnArts’ Annette Sykes at Red Rock Park.
According to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Executive Director Chris Mancini, this year marks the highest amount in funds Lynn and Nahant have received through the program’s 15 years.
“We’re excited to increase our support to Lynn and Nahant this year,” Mancini said. “It should be a great summer on our waterfronts and we hope to see a lot of smiling faces.”
He added that the program’s original purpose was to maximize the potential of the beaches and connect residents to their “urban natural resources.”
“If you went out to any of these beaches 20 or 30 years ago, you barely saw anyone,” Mancini said. “Now, you go to South Boston or Revere and it’s wall to wall people every nice weekend of the summer.”
