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Weymouth ramps up enforcement at parks, restricts fields to residents after clusters of visitors
Summary
Mayor Bob Headin said Recreation staff and police have enforced social-distancing rules at Legion Field, Great Hill and Lane Beach, removed some out-of-town visitors, ran plates and installed signs limiting field use to Weymouth residents as part of pandemic controls.
Mayor Bob Headin told viewers on the May 7 Ask the Mayor broadcast that the town is increasing enforcement at parks and recreation fields after visitors from neighboring communities ignored social-distancing guidance.
Headin said Recreation staff have served as on-site monitors and, in incidents involving visitors from nearby towns, police were called, plate numbers were recorded and the visitors were ordered to leave. “We ran plate numbers and we gave them the boot,” the mayor said, describing recent enforcement actions.
He said the town has posted signage limiting some fields to Weymouth residents only and that police have towed vehicles and issued stronger patrols in problem areas such as Great Hill and Lane Beach. The mayor said these steps aim to reduce crowding and protect neighbors who use nearby streets and parks.
The mayor acknowledged that some passive-recreation park areas remained open but that playgrounds were closed during the pandemic. He said Recreation staff have been balancing a desire to let residents get outside with the need to avoid large gatherings.
No new town ordinance was announced on the program; the mayor described operational changes and coordination between Recreation staff and police to enforce state and local public-health guidance.
