NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) – As summer comes to a close, New Bedford continues to keep its residents safe with a pilot program that distributes free sunscreen throughout the city.
Mayor Jon Mitchell said the sunscreen dispensers will be installed at 10 locations across the city, from beaches in the South End to parks in the North End.
Although the late summer installation is a pilot program, the City of New Bedford will have until early fall to assess usage of the pumps. If the program is successful, the stations will be put back into service next year.
The New Bedford Health Department selected the sites based on factors such as pedestrian traffic, accessibility, recreational use, visibility from streets and sidewalks, proximity to public transportation, and equitable distribution.
“Sun protection is crucial for public health, but when we spend long periods of time outdoors, it is easy to forget to use sun protection,” says Liza Rebello, head of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Health.
“We hope these dispensers provide a simple solution for the people who enjoy New Bedford’s beautiful shorelines and recreational areas,” Rebello said.
Where to find free sunscreen dispensers in New Bedford
- East Beach
- Fort Taber Bathhouse
- West Beach, near the bathhouse
- Entrance to Cove Walk near Kilburn Mill
- Entrance to Harbor Walk near Rodney Street
- Monte Park, near the Pavilion, across from Acushnet Avenue
- Buttonwood Park, on the paved path near the playground
- Brooklawn Park, near the parking lot, near the playground and wading pool
- Riverside Park, near the pavilion and wading pool
- Noah’s Place Playground on Pope’s Island
Who covers the cost of free sun protection in New Bedford?
The provision of the free sunscreen was made possible by funds from the state’s Public Health Excellence Shared Services grant program, which is run through the New Bedford Health Department.
The Department of Health is one of 51 recipients of grants from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Public Health Excellence program across the state.
The Department of Health has also used the funds to develop a partnership between the New Bedford, Fairhaven and Acushnet health departments to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of local public health protection.
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