Residents of Glenn Cove may be out of luck when swimming in the 2 town owned beaches. The reason for this is due to a shortage of lifeguards this summer season.
Darcey Belyea, the director of Parks and Recreation has urged beachgoers to “swim with care. Stay shallow, and that parents should watch children even playing at the shoreline.”
The two beaches in question are Morgan Memorial Park Beach, and Pryibil Beach. The town has officially closed these parks to bathing and swimming when the lifeguards are off duty.
Glenn Cove had a goal of having 22 full-time lifeguards but failed to reach that with only 12 being hired so fare. Director Belyea has attributed the lack of lifeguards to the training required for the job. “I just think there are other job opportunities for young people that require less training”, she is quoted saying.
One of the requirements to be a lifeguard in the town is to pass the American Red Cross lifeguard training course, which costs over a hundred dollars. Other requirements are to be 16 years of age or older, and must pass Nassau County certification tests.
If anyone is interested in the job, the town is still accepting applications for the positions, which pays anywhere between $10 to $14 an hour (depending on experience). According to Belyeah, If the residents of the town have taken the Red Cross course within 2017 and recieved a Nassau County Grade II Certification, they can have the cost reimbursed.
Anyone interested in a lifeguard position should call the parks and recreation department at 516-676-3766.
Beaches are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends only through June 25. Starting June 26 and through Labor Day, beaches will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free beach permits for city residents with proof of residency are available at City Hall and at the beach gates. Locust Valley residents can use Morgan Beach and pick up passes at the park gate.
Photography Source: http://www.glencove-li.us/
Date: July 6, 2013. Location: Garvies Point, Glen Cove, Long Island, NY.
Event: Sea Faire activities and scenic Garvies Point and Glen Cove.
Photographer: Margarita Corporan