Streeter Point Beach To Reopen For The Summer!

Lot's of depressing news in the papers, and on the TV. In order to keep ones head above the water, or oil, one needs to make their own good news, or search really hard for some.

Well, I found some. The Streeter Point Recreation Area on Route 20 in Sturbridge, after being closed in 2009, will reopen this year, and will be fully staffed.

Can I get a "HooYah!"?

This is fantastic news. Despite the financial crisis we are all slowly crawling out of, there are battles being won, and services being reclaimed across the country. This is one of those moments. Unfortunately, this is the only park that was closed last year that is reopening this year, and as lucky as we may be here in the Sturbridge area, there are many parks that will not reopen this year. That is some of the bad news I wrote of earlier.

Streeter Point is unique. In this land of many lakes, ponds, and rivers the public has little access to them for simple pleasures such as swimming, or having a picnic. Boating is a little different story. Most of our lakes and ponds are surrounded by homes, and there are no real public beaches with the exception of the the one off Cedar Street on Cedar Lake. That little beach is in a cove, and not actually on the lake proper, and is great for small children. There are no facilities for having a cookout, but it is a simple place to go to for a little while, and has life guards. Parking is a challenge when a dozen people, or so show up.

Streeter Point is somewhat different. There is a good sized beach on the lake, and it has life guards as well. It also has public restrooms, and areas for cookouts. There is ample parking, although a small fee is charged, it is well worth it. It is also a simple place, and larger with facilities, shade for those that like it, and a large, open sunlit, sandy beach for those that like that.

You can put your canoe, or kayak into water right there on the shore of East Brimfield Lake, and spend hours on the water.

It's all about public access. So many potential recreation areas, but so little public access for the simpler recreational pleasures.

I don't know how Streeter Point ended up being the only DCR facility to reopen, and I won't question it, but it may be that the DCR understands our area much more that I give them credit for.

DCR says no staff at some parks this summer

May 27, 2010 12:37 PM

By Globe Staff

For the second year in a row, some state parks, forests, and ponds will not be staffed this summer, due to tight budgets, the Department of Conservation and Recreation announced today.

Parking and restrooms will not be available and swimming will be barred, the DCR said. Visitors will be directed from the lesser-used spots to other nearby parks and beaches.

"While we have some facilities we will not be able to staff, DCR has no shortage of facilities for the public to enjoy," DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. said in a statement. "We have hundreds of parks, lakes, pools and beaches that will be open this year for visitors and residents."

In one bright spot, officials announced that the Streeter Point recreation area in Sturbridge, closed last year, would be reopened.

The following areas will not be staffed: Ashland State Park, Chester Blandford State Forest, Lake Lorraine State Park, Windsor State Forest, Berry Pond in Harold Parker State Forest, Dean Pond in Brimfield State Forest , and Fearings Pond in Myles Standish State Forest

Streeter Point Recreation Area

Picnic area at Streeter Point 6 Streeter Point Ave Sturbridge MA 01566 508 347-9257 This accessible area has a 100 car parking area and offers fishing, swimming and picnicking on 400 acre East Brimfield Reservoir. Boating access is from ramps located on US Army Corps of Engineers maintained ramps on Rt 20. Park Directions The park is located off of Route 20 in south-central Massachusetts From the East or West: Follow the Mass Pike (Rte. I-90) to exit #9 in Sturbridge. Take Rte. 20 West. After crossing over Rte 148, look for signs to Streeter Point. Park entrance is on the left.