Check out Long Beach's two new beachside initiatives

The City of Long Beach recently announced the implementation of two new initiatives Saturday that they hope can keep both beachgoers and their beaches healthy all season long.

Along the boardwalk, beach clean-up stations, along with sunscreen dispensers much like those with hand sanitizer, will each provide people with the opportunity to protect their skin from the sun and the sand from their trash.

“These two exciting programs are made possible by the generosity of our community partners,” City Council President John Bendo said. “We have two goals in mind with these programs. We want healthy beaches and waterways, and we also want to keep our beachgoers safe on all our beaches.”

The beach cleanup stations has been a concept that was brought to life after years of consideration. The stations, which have multiple trash and recycling bins snugly placed by the boardwalk entrances and exits, are not hard to miss.

The clean-up stations are located at the ramp entrances at Edwards Boulevard, Minnesota Avenue and Neptune Boulevard.

“We are thrilled to officially debut the city’s Beach Cleanup Station Program,” said Acting City Manager and Police Commissioner Ronald Walsh. “The city’s Environmental Advisory Board has been advocating for this concept for years.”

The initiative was brought about in hopes that the community and beachgoers alike could give back without much effort.

“This new program really aligns with our goals,” Walsh said. “Our goal with this program is to encourage residents and visitors alike to do their part in keeping our beaches clean and beautiful, while having a positive impact on our local environment.”

The instructions for the program are simple — beachgoers can take a bucket at any of the stations, pick up all trash, litter and any other unwanted or used items, and when the bucket is full, the bucket can be dumped at the receptacles near the station.

In addition to the beach cleanup initiative, the city announced a fleet of sunscreen stations to help beachgoers keep themselves safe from the sun while enjoying it.

“We’re so excited to announce that we’re able to offer sunscreen free-of-charge all along our beaches, all summer long,” said Dr. Jeremy Fenton of Schweiger Dermatology Group.

The city will provide a total of 20 sunscreen dispensers located at all boardwalk beach ramp entrances from New York Avenue all the way down to Neptune and Pacific Boulevards. Each of the sunscreens at the dispensers are all-natural, water-resistant, broad spectrum and paraben-free.

In addition to stations along the boardwalk, the city is also placing touch-free dispensers at each of the lifeguard station buildings. There are three buildings, located at Neptune and Riverside Boulevards and New York Avenue.

“Just like our lifeguards keep everyone safe in the water, this program will help ensure residents and visitors alike will have everything they need to enjoy the sun safely,” Bendo said. “We’re very appreciative of Schweiger Dermatology for their partnership in bringing these stations to Long Beach.”

The sunscreen stations came about in order to remedy a silent problem amongst beachgoers across the nation, but especially in the local area.

“Unfortunately, it’s difficult for some of us to remember to bring our sunscreen,” said Fenton. “We hope that all beachgoers can keep themselves safe with these stations. As a dermatologist in Long Beach, I unfortunately see a lot of skin cancer. One-in-five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some time in their life and sunscreen is the best way to protect ourselves against that possibility.”