Hello, Boxford Residents and Stiles Pond Beach Members!

The BAA, along with the Board of Health and the Board of Selectmen, is currently working on a plan to safely open Stiles Pond Beach in a financially reasonable way for the 2020 season within the Phased Guidelines of the Commonwealth of MA and the Stiles-specific contingencies set by the BoH. In short, prior to opening the pond, certain conditions must be met. 

On Tuesday, May 26, the BoH issued a set of guidelines to the BAA. The BAA is in the process of creating a proposal that addresses the health and safety concerns laid out in the document put forth by the BoH. The BAA will then submit this proposal to the BoH. This is an ongoing conversation. I will forward updates and information as I have them. Thank you for your patience.

In the meantime, the beach remains CLOSED per the Board of Health. The playground remains CLOSED per the Board of Health. The public access boat launch side remains open, but with VERY LIMITED PARKING. Please do not park on Stiles Pond Road, blocking access to residents and emergency vehicles. Your car will be ticketed and/or towed.

If you have any questions or comments about the BAA or Town policies regarding this matter, please email me. If I cannot answer your questions or address your concerns, I will direct you to the person who is able to do so.

Thank you, and take care! I hope to see you at the beach soon.

Josilyn

Upon further review and conferencing with Town of Boxford officials regarding the current findings of the MA Dept. of Public Health, and in alignment with the closure of all town athletic fields and Masconomet's athletic programs being moved off-site due to EEE, Stiles Pond Beach will be closed for the remainder of the season.

The safety of the members and staff of Stiles Pond Beach is always the priority of the BAA.

Please email me with questions regarding the beach closure.

Thank you,

Josilyn

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus

Confirmed in Mosquito Pool from Boxford.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) today informed the Town of Boxford Health Department that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in a mosquito sample from Boxford, Massachusetts. This is the first positive EEE detection in Boxford since 2017.
 
This notice is being provided, as per the “Boxford Board of Health Protocol Response to Positive Mosquito Borne Virus Finding in Boxford”, that the Boxford Board of Health:
*Has issued an order for all playing/ball fields to be closed, outdoor recess and outdoor sports at schools be canceled until barrier spraying has occurred and post-spray the waiting period has passed;
*Will authorize NEMMC to spray all public fields and school yards for mosquitoes as soon as notification and weather will permit.
 
Residents are urged to protect themselves and children from mosquito bites, please see the below websites for additional information.  Also residents are urged to empty any standing pools of water on their property.

https://www.mass.gov/lists/mosquito-borne-disease-information-for-the-general-public
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/eee-eastern-equine-encephalitis

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.

With an abundance of caution, the BAA has decided to close Stiles Pond Beach for the weekend of August 24 - August 25, 2019. We will speak with the Board of Health on Monday morning and, with their approval, we hope to reopen the pond with limited hours on 8/26/19.

Information about the pond closing has also been posted at Stiles: on the gate, on the Snack Shack, and on the bulletin board. Please check back here or on Instagram @stilespondbeach for updates.

Thank you,

Josilyn
 

@stilespondbeach

Welcome back to Stiles Pond!

A few updates for 2019:

Docks will go into the water on Sunday, June 9. Please email me directly if you are able to assist with this task.

The beach and Snack Shack will open for the season on June 15, and remain open through Labor Day, September 2.

Swim lessons begin July 8 and continue Mon-Thurs through August 1. Our annual Fun Day for swim lessons students is scheduled for August 2, with a rain date of August 9.

Pond membership and swim lessons registration is done in person at the pond starting June 15. To sign up, please see me or one of the lifeguards.

You will note that we have raised the membership fees this season. The BAA's first priority is the safety of the children and families enrolled in its programs and as Stiles Beach members. To that end, we have invested in additional trainings for our lifeguards, and increasing their salary.  

We are looking forward to another safe and happy season! As always, please email me or see me at Stiles if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns.

See you at the pond!

-Josilyn

Please note: Effective immediately, children under age 14 MUST be accompanied by a parent,  guardian, caregiver, or supervising adult at Stiles Pond.  Under no circumstances should any child under the age of 14 years old be  dropped off at the beach without an adult present.  Thank you.

Stiles Pond Beach, just off Main Street, with some of the cleanest fresh water in eastern Massachusetts, is the place to meet friends and neighbors in this relaxed and fun atmosphere during the hot months of June, July and August. Membership to the Keith Koster Park at Stiles Pond is offered to residents of Boxford only, for a nominal fee.

Registration is ongoing throughout the season.  Proof of residency or town employment is required.  Stiles Pond Beach Hours are weather permitting. 

The beach association's dedicated volunteers, staff, and lifeguards run the beach during the summer months, and there are always plenty of fun things to do. Beach members have access to canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, all free of charge. A concession stand serving hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and slush is open during prime time hours. There's a basketball and volleyball area, a playground for the children, docks, floats and plenty of picnic tables. Family picnics, birthday parties, and cookouts are a tradition at Keith Koster Park.

Stiles Pond Beach offers swimming lessons by certified Red Cross instructors. Swimmers will be evaluated and placed in the appropriate swim group. During Swim Lessons, only participants in the lessons are allowed in the water.

PLEASE READ THE WEBSITE CAREFULLY FOR ALL FEES AND POLICIES. THE LIFEGUARDS ARE EMPOWERED TO REVOKE OR SUSPEND A MEMBER'S PRIVILEGES FOR VIOLATIONS OF ANY OF THE REGULATIONS.

Most years, the Beach operates exclusively by the fees that the membership pay and no tax dollars are spent towards improvements or maintenance; however, in 2018, the town generously voted to finance some much-needed safety improvements to the beloved Snack Shack. The Beach Committee has worked hard over the years to make Keith Koster Park something we can all be proud of. We look forward to seeing everyone this summer. If you have any comments or suggestions please contact the Beach Director.

Pond registration is available during pond hours. Please see the Beach Director or a lifeguard to register. Membership and swim lessons fees are payable by cash or check (we are unable to process credit cards). 

Membership is limited to Boxford residents and town employees. Registrants are required to show proof of residency or town employment when picking up wristbands from lifeguards.

Stiles Pond Beach will be open, beach and weather conditions permitting, on June 15-September 2, 2019 (Labor Day). 

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Family membership: $185

Single membership: $75

Senior rates (age 62 and older): $25 per person

Guests (must be accompanied by a member): $5 per person

Boxford resident non-member day pass: $25 per day (up to 4 people); $5 each additional person

BEACH HOURS 2019

June 15-August 4: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm; Sun 10am-8pm

Aug 5-September 2: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm; Sunday 10am-7pm

SWIM LESSONS

Red Cross swim lessons, with WSI certified lifeguard instructors, are available at the pond. Please see the Beach Director or a lifeguard to enroll, or for additional information. Lessons will be held beginning July 8th, and are organized by ability. The cost is $90/swimmer for members, $100/swimmer for non-members (maximum cost $200/family). During swim lessons, the beach will open to all swimmers at 11:30am. Only those students enrolled in the Red Cross program may swim during the lesson period. Class size is limited and on a first come, first served basis.

We are looking forward to a great summer. See you at the pond!