Staff Photo/Genevieve DiNatale: Lancaster Town Beach (Summer 2022)
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Summer’s not over yet! For those in the Worcester County area who want to make the most of what’s left of this lovely weather, here’s a list of public beaches in the North Central Massachusetts.
Athol: The following are the two public beaches in Athol.
Both are open from dawn to dusk:
Silver Lake Beach: 89 Lincoln Ave, Athol, MA 01331
Lake Ellis Beach: 584 Main St, Athol, MA 01331
Charlton: There’s a public beach at Buffumville Lake Park. This year, the park opened on May 21. It will remain open until September 11. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and it’s located at the following address: 229 Oxford Rd, Charlton, MA 01507
Dudley: The town of Dudley owns one beach on Merino Pond. It is open for free to residents from July 1st to Labor Day. There’s no lifeguards on duty, so swim at your own risk. To access the beach, park behind the Mason Road Elementary School on Mason Road and walk in.
East Brookfield & North Brookfield: East Brookfield shares its public beach with North Brookfield. That beach is dubbed Lashaway Beach and it’s located at 2 Sylvania Grove, North Brookfield, MA 01535
GARDNER: There’s a public beach at Dunn State Park. It’s located at 289 Pearl St., Gardner, MA 01440 and open from sunrise to sunset. You have to pay to park though, $8 for Massachusetts resident and $30 for non-Massachusetts residents.
Hardwick: There a public beach located at Hardwick Pond. According to the town clerk, there are no designated hours of operation at the pond. The address of Hardwick Pond is: 153 Hardwick Pond Rd, Hardwick, MA 01082
Holden: Holden doesn’t have any public beaches. There is Eagle Lake, but it is swim at your own risk.
Lancaster: The Lancaster Town Beach is open 12 p.m.- 6 p.m. daily through August 21. It’s located at Fire Road 4, Lancaster.
Mendon: Mendon Town Beach, which is managed by the Mendon Parks Commission, has the following hours for the rest of the summer:
Summer Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11am-7pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am-7pm
Address: 45 Taft Ave. Mendon, MA
Parking: Free parking located across the street
Admissions:
$3 per person – Mendon Residents
$5 per person – Non-Residents
Children 2 & Under / Adults 60+ are FREE!
(Cash & Credit Card Accepted)
Season Passes:
$75 – Mendon Residents
$150 – Non-Residents
Purchase Season Passes Online
The following are not allowed: noodles, water wings, inflatables, or swim suits with floats
Rutland: There’s a beach at Rutland State Park located at 49 Whitehall Road, Rutland, MA 01543. It’s open every day of the week from 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sterling: Sterling’s public beach is in Sholan Park.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
When it’s open: Mid June to mid August
Town permit parking only
Upton:
Webster: Memorial Beach is staffed from Memorial Day-Labor Day Monday-Friday 9-6 and Saturday and Sunday 7am-8pm.
From Webster’s town clerk: On weekdays the gate opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 9 pm. People can still go in but there are no bathrooms available, no lifeguards and nobody on staff to clean up after people. On weekends, the gates are only opened while we are staffed. All hours are subject to change, and we determine if we have to close due to reaching capacity.
Winchendon – Lake Dennison Recreation Area, 219 Baldwinville State Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475, open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bell Pond Beach: 238 Belmont St., Worcester, MA
Indian Lake Beach: 20 Clason Rd., Worcester, MA
Due to staffing limitations, Indian Lake Beach was not opened on July 1 with the city’s other swimming areas and splash parks. City officials said maintaining the safety of beachgoers was the top priority when deciding to not open Indian Lake Beach.
For more on why Indian Lake Beach closed go here.
John J. Binienda Memorial Beach: 180 Mill St., Worcester, MA
Shore Park Beach: 115 Shore Drive, Worcester, MA
