Photo: Rangers Calvin Venegoni-Ranger (left) and Tony Montagano (right) by their pop-up station at Pine Point Beach.

Scarborough is home to some of Maine’s most beautiful sand beaches – that’s why many of us live here. On summer days, they attract beachgoers from near and far. Town officials estimate that 2,000-3,000 people crowd onto Higgins Beach on especially steamy days when the tide is low. The total across all beaches – Higgins, Pine Point, Ferry, and Scarborough State Park – is likely in the tens of thousands.

With that many people – plus the occasional unleashed dog, jelly fish, or summer squall – things can happen. That’s why Scarborough launched a municipal park ranger program last year. These personnel are the Town’s ambassadors at the beaches – keeping them safe, orderly, and enjoyable for everyone. They patrol all the town-owned beaches plus Memorial Park and the Eastern Trail. (The State of Maine owns and operates Scarborough State Park, which already has a full staff of lifeguards and parking attendants.)

What Rangers Do

Town Manager Tom Hall says the rangers have been a “resounding success.” Previously, the Town hired reserve police officers to walk the beaches. Their training was in enforcement, not gentle reminders about littering, dog hours, or where you’re allowed to surf. It was getting harder to fill the positions and the Town wanted to try something different.

Scarborough’s park rangers are trained to handle a wide range of situations. Some are urgent, like medical emergencies and reuniting lost children with their parents. Others are lighter, like pointing someone to the nearest store for ice, fixing a broken beach chair, or explaining clamming regulations.

Lead Ranger Tony Montagano says he and his fellow rangers make a point of being seen and available. By early afternoon on a sunny June day, he estimated that he had already interacted with 250 people. “We are the ambassadors of the beach – its eyes and ears,” he says. “We’re here to enhance people’s experience and ensure that it’s a safe and comfortable environment.”

Much of the work is grounded in common sense, like reminding visitors not to dig dangerously deep holes (the rule is to dig no deeper than the waist of the shortest person in the group), making sure holes are filled back in, and explaining beach rules – like no dogs between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

George Mageles, president of the Pine Point Association, says his group welcomes the program. “These valuable rangers patrol the beach to keep it clean and safe for all residents and visitors. They also provide a direct and immediate connection to public safety dispatch in the event of an emergency…”

Rangers may call in an ambulance and direct it to the nearest side street, shaving critical minutes off response times. The rangers also partner with the fire department, police, emergency medical services, animal control, public works, and the harbor master.

Building the Program

Tony was the first ranger hired by the Town. He had retired to Scarborough a few years ago and tried a number of jobs, but none fully suited his experience and skills. He had 36 years of experience in public works in Watertown, Connecticut, and had served as a volunteer firefighter. The park ranger program turned out to be a perfect fit. Steve Kramer, Scarborough’s Recreation and Waterfront Manager, credits Tony with helping to shape the program from the start. “We gave him the bones and he filled it in.”

The Town now employs three full-time rangers in summer months: Tony, Kevin Mullan, and Calvin Venegoni-Ranger (a Scarborough native). Tony says he gives his team three guiding principles: “Be available, be of service, and be seen.”

The rangers learned a lot in the program’s first year. They identified “hot spots” of activity and figured out each beach’s distinct character. Pine Point is the most commercial, attracting visitors from away and campers from Bayley’s Camping Resort. Higgins Beach draws regulars and weeklong vacationers. Ferry Beach is a favorite of families with small children. The rangers use e-bikes to move between locations, which is especially helpful on crowded summer days.

“I was surprised by the sheer volume of activity [on Scarborough beaches],” Tony admits “even on days when it’s not great beach weather.”

Tony and his team have also learned what to carry. Their go-to supplies? Rubber gloves, garbage bags, and plenty of band-aids. “We hand out more band-aids than you can imagine,” he says. Garbage bags are given to large groups as a friendly, preemptive nudge to help keep the beach clean, and to let folks know rangers are nearby.

This year, the rangers have increased their visibility with pop-up tents and message boards near beach entrances. These give them greater visibility and invite beachgoers to ask questions. In the future, they would love to add educational programming, teaching visitors about wildlife and natural features that make Scarborough so unique.

For Tony, being a ranger is his “dream retirement job”. He loves being outdoors, walking the beach, and chatting with people. “The only job I could imagine topping it would be something where I also got to fish,” he jokes.

The work has given him moments he will never forget – like watching children see the ocean for the first time or witnessing an ambulance bring a woman in hospice care to the beach for a final visit. “We’re serving a purpose,” he says.

Look for the Green Shirts

So, the next time you visit one of Scarborough’s beautiful beaches, give a wave or say “hi” to the friendly rangers in their green shirts. From mid-May through the end of September, they are available every day – helping make your beach day safer, easier, and a little more enjoyable.