Barnstable beaches open seven days a week starting June 27 as town issues residential parking permit reminder and flags lifeguard shortage.

BARNSTABLE -- The Town of Barnstable's beaches, ponds, and lakes will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. beginning Saturday, June 27, running through Labor Day, according to a Town Manager's update presented at the June 25 Select Board meeting.

TOWN -- Residents must display residential parking permit stickers to access town beaches starting June 27; receipts will not be accepted. The Recreation Division has issued more than 20,000 residential permits to date. Town Manager Mark Els noted that the division is still finalizing staff schedules due to recruitment challenges. Lifeguard coverage on opening day is anticipated at Craigville Beach, Dowses Beach, and Kalma Beach only; other sites will be unguarded and swimmers will swim at their own risk. On Friday, June 26, all beaches will be without lifeguard coverage while aquatic staff participate in a joint training exercise with local fire departments at Craigville Beach; the east parking lot will be restricted until noon. The town also noted that the Cape Cod region has returned to Level 2 significant drought status, and the Barnstable Municipal Water Supply Board has reinstituted non-essential outdoor water use restrictions, including a ban on sprinkler and automatic lawn irrigation and no pool filling from on-site water sources.

COMMUNITY -- The Town of Barnstable is celebrating its 250th birthday on July 4 with village parades, all-day entertainment on Main Street Hyannis, a Harbour Boat Parade, an Esselstyn Park concert, and a drone light show at sundown following the Hyannis Harbour Hawks Cape Cod Baseball League game, per the Town Manager's update.