guides

Water Play Guide for Greater Lowell: Splash Pads, Lakes & Pools

Updated for 2023

By Tessa D'Ippolito, Publisher May 1, 2023

Looking for cool ways to beat the heat this summer? Check out these fun and family friendly sprinkler parks, local beaches and pools, organized alphabetically 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.

Looking for other local family fun and things to do in the Greater Lowell area?  Check our Summer Fun Guide, Summer Concert Guide and, of course, our daily event calendar  Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter to get all the Top Pick events each week!  


BILLERICA

Manning State Park Splash Pad 
39 Chelmsford Rd, Billerica
(978) 671-0921

Open 7 AM to 7 PM daily until late August. Restrooms are open only when attendant is on duty. Parking fees go into effect on official opening day. When attendant is on duty, parking is $5 per day or $50 season pass. Parking passes can be purchased from the attendant or from the Billerica Recreation Office with cash or check.  Massachusetts DCR Parks Pass is also accepted.  See our Playground Guide article on Manning Park for descriptions and photos. 

Micozzi Beach
586 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica
(978) 671-0921

Open June 30 until mid-August depending on water quality. Sandy lake beach. Facilities include a bathhouse, sand volleyball court, basketball hoop, small playground, and picnic tables. Lifeguards are on duty Thursday - Sunday 10 AM to 7 PM (days due to limited lifeguard availability, may increase if staffing increases). Canoes, kayaks, fishing rods, stand up paddleboards, and volleyball court are available for rental. Parking, when attendant is on duty: $5 per day or $50 season pass. Parking passes can be purchased from the attendant or from the Billerica Recreation Office with cash or check.  See our Playground Guide article on the Micozzi Beach Playground.


CHELMSFORD

Freeman Lake
Adams St, North Chelmsford

Freeman Lake Beach is a small beach adjacent to Varney Playground. Restrooms, baseball diamond, basketball court, and tennis court available. Lifeguards are on duty from the fourth Saturday in June through the last Sunday in August. Officially open only to Chelmsford residents. There is no parking fee.

Heart Pond (AKA Hart Pond)
Pond Street, Chelmsford

Lifeguards are typically on duty from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM beginning the first Saturday after the Chelmsford Public School year ends through the last Sunday before school begins. The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail goes right by Heart Pond beach.


DRACUT

Dracut Town Beach
272 Tyngsboro Road, Dracut

On Mascuppic Lake, this area is a public beach and state boat ramp with a small parking area.  Portable toilet on-site during summer.

Veterans Memorial Park Splash Pad
80 Broadway Rd, Dracut

Features a playground, spray pad, fields and more. See our Playground Guide article for more details and photos (this article was written prior to 2019-2020 renovations so it may have some out-of-date information).


GROTON

Groton Country Club
94 Lovers Lane, Groton

Owned by the town of Groton, the Country Club's pool is open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM June 22 to August 29 and limited hours May 7 - June 21 and August 30 - September 4. Daily passes are available for $13 per person. Children age 0-3 are free. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Summer pool memberships are available.

Sargisson Beach
171 Whiley Road, Groton
(978) 448-1106

Swim and picnic from sunrise to sunset. You must park in the parking lot, not on Whiley Road, and no sticker is required. There was no lifeguard on duty in 2022, no updated information for 2023 listed at this time. 


LITTLETON

Long Lake Beach
20 Town Rd, Littleton

Open daily dawn to dusk year-round. From June 23 to September 2, 2023, the beach is open Monday-Thursday from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, Friday-Saturday 10 AM to 5:30 PM, and Sundays 11 AM to 5:30 PM. Kayaks and canoes are available for rental.  Bathrooms, changing areas and snack shack available. Parks & Recreation also offers swimming lessons, sailing, beach yoga and other classes onsite.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the water at any time.

A beach pass is required to use the beach.  An annual pass is available at the beach or the Parks & Recreation office for $90 resident family, $150 for non-resident family. Individual passes are $30 resident, $50 non-resident. Passes for a couple are available for $50 resident, $95 non-resident.  Annual pass includes a parking sticker for one car and a membership card for each household member.  Additional car stickers are available for $10 each for residents and $20 for non residents. 

Daily beach passes are available at the snack shack for $4 per resident or $5 per nonresident. Daily parking pass is $15 (resident) or $20 (non-resident) to park in the lot, on Lake Shore Drive or on Town Road. Overflow parking is available at the Shaker Lane School.  For a day visit, you must purchase both a parking pass and a beach pass.


LOWELL

McPherson Public Pool
185 Hildreth St, Lowell

This public swimming pool is staffed by Lowell Recreation lifeguards from 12-6 PM from July 1 to August 11.

Mulligan Park Splash Pad
89 Plain St, Lowell

The Mulligan Park splash pad will be open daily 12-6 PM (date not yet announced).  Important: no bathrooms are available.

O’Donnell Park Splash Pad
1170 Gorham St, Lowell

Splash pad is generally open Memorial Day weekend through June 30th 12-4 PM. Starting  July 1, the splash pad is open daily 12-6 PM until Labor Day. Park also has restrooms, locker rooms, Adirondack chairs, and picnic benches.

Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool
81 Cross St, Lowell

Operated by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. Opening June 24, 2023.

Rynne Beach
160 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell

Rynne Beach in Lowell is part of Lowell Heritage State Park. There is a sandy beach, bathhouse, and small parking lot. There is no lifeguard so swim at your own risk.

Shedd Park Splash Pad
453 Rogers St, Lowell

Splash pad is generally open weekends and holidays in June 12-4 PM, although opening depends on available staff (details on opening has yet to be confirmed). Starting July 4, the splash pad is open daily 12-6 PM. There is also a playground, tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, and a picnic pavilion (available to rent).  See our Playground Guide article for more details and photos.

South Common Public Pool
272 South St, Lowell

This public swimming pool is staffed by Lowell Recreation lifeguards from 12-6 PM from July 1 to August 11.


TEWKSBURY

Livingston St. Splash Pad
286 Livingston St, Tewksbury

Opening June 23, 2023!


TYNGSBORO

Mascuppic Lake
Maplewood Ave, Tyngsboro

Town Beach at the end of Maplewood Ave. Note: Beach is for Tyngsboro residents only.  A parking tag must be obtained at Town Hall before visiting the beach; town police will enforce. Proof of residency is required for tag.  Open from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are no lifeguards on duty. Children under 17 must be supervised by an adult.  No dogs permitted on beach.


WESTFORD

Edwards Beach, Ronan McElligott Memorial Playground
End of Williams Ave, Westford

This sandy lake beach has lots of shade, a snack shack, volleyball court, fully handicap accessible playground and restrooms. Free for Westford residents, $5 per person for non-residents (children under 3 are free). A non-resident season pass ($75 for a family of 5) is available at the beach or the Recreation Department. Open daily 9 AM to 5 PM from late June thru mid-August. See our article about 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, there are many children (posted 15 MPH speed limit). 

Forge Pond
Forge Beach Rd, Westford

The beach has a snack shack, playground and restroom and is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM from late June thru mid August. Westford residents are free; non-residents are $5 per person. A non-resident season pass ($75 for a family of 5) is available at the beach or the Recreation Department.  Access to the beach is via a narrow road that starts at Pleasant Street and runs parallel to the railroad tracks.

MPower Athletics
49 Powers Rd, Westford

2023 Updated Information Coming Soon - Outdoor pool is open starting July 3rd from 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 to 5 PM daily and is weather-dependent.  Outdoor pool has a shallow toddler end (1.5 ft), deeper end (6 ft) for older kids, and slides. Lifeguards on duty at all times, seating areas, restrooms, outdoor showers, and indoor and outdoor snack shacks. Pool memberships are available. No day passes were available in 2021; admission is only via pool membership ($399 for a family of 4), limited quantity available.



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