May 21, 2026 |Better Beaches Grant Program, Events, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), News, Non-profits, Save The Harbor/Save the Bay

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Gives $47,000 to Fund Free Lynn and Nahant Beach Events All Summer Long

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Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Grants $311,000 to 76 Community Organizations and Individuals to Host Free Beach Events

From Save The Harbor/Save The Bay: On May 14, Save The Harbor/Save the Bay granted over $311,000 to 76 community and youth serving organizations for the 2026 Better Beaches Program Partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Twelve organizations were funded to host free beach events on Lynn and Nahant beaches for the entire summer. The program also brings free programming to beaches in Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull.

The Better Beaches Grant Program collaborates with locals to create free events on DCR beaches in the metropolitan region to connect people with Boston Harbor’s beaches. The program places strong focus on breaking down barriers for people of color, people who don’t speak English as a first language, and people with disabilities.

“My favorite thing about the Better Beaches partnership is that we’re welcoming new people to DCR beaches all the time,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “We’re creating spaces where people of all abilities and backgrounds can come, feel more comfortable, and truly enjoy the waterfront. We’re grateful to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for their longtime collaboration and shared goal of making these special spaces accessible to all.”

“This year has brought many new challenges facing organizations like Save The Harbor/Save the Bay,” said Chris Mancini, Executive Director of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. “We’re particularly grateful to be sharing these spectacular urban natural resources in a state that understands the value of our 40-years of work.”

“We are especially grateful for our long partnership with the DCR,” Mancini continued. “Not to mention the continuing support from the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, as well as from JetBlue and all of our corporate partners whose support allows us to activate our beaches all summer long.”

“Every summer, we look forward to the diverse events that bring people together on our region’s beaches thanks to the Better Beaches program,” said Metropolitan Beaches Commission Co-Chair Sen. Brendan Crighton. “It is encouraging to see local organizations and individuals be supported and empowered to have their community experience the beauty of our beaches.”

These free events happen almost every day of the summer, right into the fall. Some of the Better Beaches events happening on beaches in Lynn and Nahant:

• 2026 Lynn Music Festival by the Lynn Music Foundation on 6/20 1-8 pm at Red Rock Park
• Veterans Beach Party by E.F. Gilmore DAV of the North Shore on July 25 12-3 pm at Red Rock Park
• Indigenous Ways of Land and Sea by Larry Spotted Crow Mann on July 20, 10 am-12 pm at Nahant Beach
• Lynn Shore Showdown by Beat The Streets New England on August 8, 8 am – 4 pm on Nahant Beach
• La Cultura Fest by Millennium Latino Project on September 19 12-6 pm at Lynn Harbor Park

“For 40 years, we’ve seen how important it is to show our coastal communities how amazing a natural resource our local beaches are,” said Maya Smith, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Director of Programs and Partnerships and who oversees the Better Beaches Grant Program. “People deserve to have a free space to relax, recreate, enjoy, and connect with nature. It’s not only good for your physical health but also your mental and emotional health.”

Since the program began in 2008, Better Beaches has awarded nearly $2.5 million to community groups, artists, and collectives. Grantees have leveraged an additional $5.7 million in cash and in-kind donations for a total investment of $8.5 million to support 1,846 events.

This is thanks to funding coming from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and from Save the Harbor’s annual JetBlue Shamrock Splash fundraiser. Save the Harbor is especially grateful for the support of the Healey-Driscoll administration, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, JetBlue, the Coca-Cola Company, Massport, Liberty Mutual Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Bay State Cruise Company, Mass Bay Lines, and Eastern Salt.

Better Beaches programming kicks off in late May and continues through mid-September. You can find full listings of over summer events at www.SaveTheHarbor.org.

About Save the Harbor/Save the Bay   

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is the region’s leading voice for clean water and continued public investment in Boston Harbor, the region’s public beaches, and the Boston Harbor Islands. Since 1986, our mission has been to restore and protect Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, and the marine environment, and share them with the public for everyone to enjoy.   

Save the Harbor is committed to making Boston Harbor, the Islands, our beaches, and our programs inclusive, equitable, diverse, and accessible to everyone and anyone. We provide free programs, events and create opportunities for people to experience Boston Harbor and our spectacular urban natural resources first-hand, with an emphasis on breaking down barriers of race, language, income and ability.

Photo credit: Save the Harbor, Save The Bay
Photo caption: Save the Harbor/Save the Bay awards a check of $47,000 to local community members and organizations at the Better Beaches Awards Breakfast on May 14.