2 days ago
Why you can't visit Georges Island this summer
Now state officials are unable to provide a time frame for when water service will be restored and the island will reopen. The work involves divers assessing the condition of the water line in areas of suspected damage, then removing and replacing broken and damaged segments of the 15-year-old pipe. Once repairs are completed, the line will need to be tested to make sure it is stable, which can take several days. The line will then need to be sanitized before drinking water can flow through it.
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The closure now is a shame, because it's one of the best times of the year to visit the island.
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For history buffs, the draw of Georges Island is the historic Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort used as a training facility for Union soldiers and a prison for Confederate officers. The fort remained in active use by the military until 1947, used in harbor defense during World War II.
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For many Boston area families and tourists, a trip to the Boston Harbor Islands, which includes Georges Island, is simply a way to escape the bustle of the city. The 45-minute ferry ride from Boston's Long Wharf is a pleasure on a warm summer day. The island has a visitor's center and places to picnic, walk, and play.
In 2024, Georges Island attracted approximately 25,000 visitors between mid-June and Labor Day weekend, according to Boston Harbor Now, a nonprofit that comanages the island.
Department of Conservation and Recreation spokesperson Chloe Gotsis said, 'Georges Island is one of the most treasured destinations in the Boston Harbor, offering residents, families, and visitors from all over the world a unique combination of natural beauty, panoramic harbor views, and rich historical resources like Fort Warren. At DCR, we are eager to reopen Georges to the public, as soon as it is safe to do so.'
While private boaters can still access the island, staff are there to inform boaters that there are no restrooms or drinking water.
The island is both a national and state park, and the National Park Service didn't respond to a request for comment.
Looking ahead, state officials are exploring alternative design and construction opportunities to completely replace the water main to prevent future infrastructure issues.
According to the state, the current water line is on the bottom of the ocean in a heavily trafficked area for boats. Commercial lobster fishing on the ocean bottom can break the water line. The portions of the pipe that are currently being replaced are being weighted with concrete collars to help them remain on the sea floor, and the pipe is anchored in place. A study is underway to explore whether there is a way to install a new water main underground.
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Georges Island is a gem. It also has an economic impact. Boston Harbor Now raised around $73,000 in revenue from concessions at Spectacle and Georges Islands in 2024, although the organization could not say how much of that came from each island.
If there's a silver lining to the closure, it's that it's a reminder of what would be lost without the islands and how worthwhile has been the decades of public investment that turned them into beloved parks. If Georges Island needs infrastructure repairs to make sure it can remain open to the public consistently in the future, that's another investment worth making.
Editorials represent the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us
