Looking for cool ways to beat the heat this summer? Check out these fun and family friendly sprinkler parks, local beaches and pools, organized by town.
IMPORTANT: local lakes tend to have higher levels of bacteria in mid to late August. Before heading out to a lake beach, please check the link to see if the beach has been closed, or choose a chlorinated option such as a splash pad or pool.
IMPORTANT: local lakes tend to have higher levels of bacteria in mid to late August. Before heading out to a lake beach, please check the link to see if the beach has been closed, or choose a chlorinated option such as a splash pad or pool.
LOWELL
160 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell
Rynne Beach in Lowell is part of Lowell Heritage State Park, which includes the Vandenberg Esplanade and the Rynne Bathhouse. There is a sandy beach, bathhouse, and small parking lot, and Heritage Ice Cream is located nearby. Lowell Recreation provides a lifeguard from 11 AM to 7 PM daily until August 14.
433 Rogers St, Lowell
Splash pad is open daily 12-6 PM until August 31st, then on Labor Day weekend from 12-4 PM. There is also a playground, tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, and a picnic pavilion (available to rent).
1170 Gorham St, Lowell
Splash pad is open daily 12-6 PM until August 31st, then on Labor Day weekend from 12-4 PM. Park also has restrooms, locker rooms, Adirondack chairs, and picnic benches.
88 Plain St, Lowell
This new splash pad is currently being installed on the site of a former swimming pool. Tentative opening date (per Lowell Recreation Department) is mid-August. It will be open daily 12-6 PM until August 31st, then on Labor Day weekend from 12-4 PM.
185 Hildreth St, Lowell
This public swimming pool is staffed by Lowell Recreation lifeguards from 12-6 PM from July 1 to August 13.
272 South St, Lowell
This public swimming pool is staffed by Lowell Recreation lifeguards from 12-6 PM from July 1 to August 13.
81 Cross St, Lowell
This public pool is operated by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. It is open and staffed by lifeguards from 11 AM to 7 PM from June 27 to August 23.
35 YMCA Drive, Lowell
This indoor pool is open most days for public swimming hours -- hours are always listed on the Lowell Macaroni Kid event calendar. The pool is staffed with lifeguards, and there are showers, saunas, and locker rooms. YMCA members can take swimming lessons and attend water exercise sessions.
CHELMSFORD
Pond Street, Chelmsford
Heart Pond is located in South Chelmsford off of Acton Road. Lifeguards are on duty from the last Saturday in June through the last Sunday in August. The beach is open from dawn until dusk. The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail goes right by Heart Pond beach.
Adams St, North Chelmsford
Located in North Chelmsford, Freeman Lake Beach is a small beach adjacent to Varney Playground. Restrooms, baseball diamond, basketball court, and tennis court available. The Freeman Lake beach is officially open only to Chelmsford residents.
TYNGSBOROUGH
Maplewood Ave, Tyngsborough
Town Beach at the end of Maplewood Ave. Open from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are no lifeguards on duty.
DRACUT
Dracut Town Beach
Lakeview Ave, Dracut
On Mascuppic Lake, this area is a public beach and state boat ramp with a small parking area.
Veterans Memorial Park Splash Pad
80 Broadway Rd, Dracut
Splash pad, large playground, bathrooms and plenty of parking.
BILLERICA
586 Middlesex Tpke, Billerica
Facilities include a bathhouse, sand volleyball court, basketball hoop, 'tot lot', and picnic tables. Lifeguards are on duty 7 days a week 10 AM to 7 PM during the summer. Canoe rentals are $5 per hour. Fishing rods are also available for $1 per hour. Parking is $3 per day or a season pass can be purchased for $35. The beach generally closes in mid-August depending on water quality.
39 Chelmsford Rd, Billerica
Sprinkler park is open 9 AM to 6 PM from June until September. Restrooms are open only when attendant is on duty. Parking is $3 per day or a season pass can be purchased for $35.
WESTFORD
Williams Ave, Westford
Located on Nabnasset Lake in the Nabnasset section of Westford, this sandy lake beach has lots of shade, a snack shack, volleyball court, fully handicap accessible playground and restrooms. The beach is free for Westford residents, $5 per person for non-residents -- children under 3 are free. It is open from June 20 to August 23, 2015. A lifeguard is on duty from 9 AM to 5 PM daily. See our review of the playground, which is free and open to the public. Please note, to access Edwards Beach, you will drive through a residential neighborhood; please drive slowly.
Forge Beach Rd, Westford
Located in the Forge Village area of Westford. The beach has a snack shack, playground area and restroom, and a lifeguard is on duty from 9 AM to 5 PM from June 20 to August 23, 2015. Westford residents are free,; non-residents are $5 per person. Access to the beach is via the road that starts at Pleasant Street and runs parallel to the railroad tracks.
GROTON
171 Whiley Road, Groton
Swim and picnic at this park from sunrise to sunset and check out the new fisherman's walk. You must park in the parking lot, not Whiley Road, and no sticker is required. The beach is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and a lifeguard is on duty from 11-5 Wed to Fri and 11-7 Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day.
LITTLETON
22 Town Rd, Littleton
The Long Lake Beach is open June 24 to August 23 from 10-6 on weekdays, 11-7 on Saturdays, and 11-6 on Sundays. Daily parking passes are available at the snack shack for $10 per day.
Know of other public beaches, pools, lakes or splash pads in the Greater Lowell area? Post a comment here and we'll add it to our guide!
