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Politics & Government

Devereux Beach Set To Open This Week

Resident parking passes stay at $55; out-of-town parking fees remain unchanged.

With temperatures predicted to reach the 90s this weekend, residents and out-of-towners will be flocking to Marblehead's best-known bathing spot, Devereux Beach. It's also the last weekend of free parking at the beach lot.

Starting Friday, the Marblehead Recreation and Parks Department will begin charging for parking. The parking rates remain the same this year: $5 for non-residents Monday through Thursday and $10 on Friday through Sunday.

Residents must pay the non-resident rate, unless they have a valid parking sticker, which costs $55.

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Superintendent of the Parks Department Brendan Egan said parking revenues are split between the general fund and a separate fund for Devereux Beach, which pays toward beach property maintenance.

On Wednesday, a single worker was putting a coat of paint on the beach pavilion, while a dozen people walked the beach. 

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It's sure to be a different scene when the hot weather draws out the crowds.

Egan said Devereux, despite the parking fee, offers residents and non-residents the "best bang for the buck," compared to other area beaches of the North Shore.

Singing Beach in Manchester charges $25 for non-resident parking.  Those who park elsewhere and walk onto the beach must pay $5 ($12.50 for a season's walk-on pass; free for children and seniors). 

There is  no parking fee to use the beaches in Salem, Beverly or Swampscott (except Preston beach in Swampscott/Marblehead, and Lynch Park in Beverly, which charges $15 for non-residents on the weekends).

Beverly has free parking on the street for Dane Street Beach and Independence Park. The Willows in Salem has free parking except for meters right at the amusement park area. 

In Marblehead, residents can get their parking stickers from the Treasurer's office at the Community Center or at the town transfer station.

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