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The free parking at all state parks and beaches is in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
All state parks and beaches will have free parking over the Fourth of July weekend. Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe
Parking will be free at all state parks and beaches during the Fourth of July weekend, officials said.
The typical parking fee at all Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) sites will be waived from July 3 to July 5, Gov. Maura Healey announced Thursday in a press release. The free parking is in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
“We want people to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend, especially as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding,” Healey said. “In recognition of that, we’re making parking at all of our state properties free this weekend.”
DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle described the Fourth of July weekend as the “busiest weekend of the year.” The parking waiver will be implemented across the department’s paid system and will be first come, first served.
“By waiving parking fees, we’re making it easier for more people to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate in the places that belong to all of us,” LaChapelle said. “As we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation, we look forward to welcoming visitors to our properties across the state, and we encourage everyone to plan ahead and enjoy the time outdoors.”
High-demand locations may still close if their parking lots reach capacity, according to the press release. Officials encouraged residents and visitors to visit the DCR Park Alerts webpage to plan ahead.
Several North Shore beaches closed over the weekend after two sewer main breaks in Haverhill sent approximately 8 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Merrimack River. State agencies worked alongside Haverhill officials to install a temporary bypass pipe to end the discharge, and Healey announced Wednesday that the operation was successful.
Ahead of the holiday weekend, some state beaches were reopened to the public, while others remain closed due to water quality issues. A full, regularly updated list of which beaches are closed is available here.
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