Alstead:
Vilas Pool, Lake Warren, Newell Pond.
Antrim: Gregg Lake and Willard Pond.
Bennington: Whittemore Lake
Charlestown: Connecticut River
Chesterfield: Connecticut River, North Shore Beach, Wares Grove.
Dublin: Dublin Lake.
Fitzwilliam: Laurel Lake, Sportsman Pond, and Sip
Pond.
Greenfield: Contoocook River, Otter Lake, Sunset
Lake and Zephyr Lake.
Hancock: Norway Pond and Nubanusit Lake.
Harrisville: Silver Lake, Harrisville Pond, Lake
Statutakee and Russell Reservoir.
Hinsdale: Connecticut River
Hillsboro: Franklin Pierce Lake
Jaffrey: Thorndike Pond and Contoocook Lake.
Keene: Otter Brook State Park & Recreation Area, Goose
Pond, Wheelock Pool and Robin Hood Pool
Marlborough: Stone Pond.
Marlow: Sand Pond, Guston Pond and Village Pond.
Nelson: Granite Lake and Nubanusit Lake
Peterborough: Cunningham Pond and MacDowell Dam.
Richmond: Sandy Pond and Cass Pond.
Rindge: Pearly Pond, Pool Pond, Emerson Pond and Lake
Monomonac.
Roxbury: Otter Brook State Park and Woodward Pond.
Spofford: Spofford Lake at Wares Grove and North Shore Beach.
Stoddard: Highland Lake, Granite Lake, Center Pond and
Island Pond.
Surry: Surry Mountain Beach and Recreation Area.
Swanzey: Richardson Park, Swanzey Lake and Wilson Pond
Walpole: Connecticut River
Washington: Ashuelot Pond
Winchester: Forest Lake
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Into the water!
By JENNIFER M. GAGNON and MELISSA A. CHADWICK
for SentinelSource.
Take a dip. Take a friend. Take our advice.
What follows is The Sentinel's 2003 guide to summertime lake, pond and river
spots in the Monadnock Region.
VILAS POOL,
Route 123A, Alstead.
This river-fed pool is open from July 1 through Labor Day, Wednesdays through
Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., with Fridays hours extending to 8 p.m. A lifeguard is
on duty at all times. There will be different planned events each weekend
through the summer. The area around the pool is open and features a snack bar,
an area for picnicking, a building with a game room, and equipment for outdoor
games such as badminton and volleyball. Vilas pool is free to residents and
nonresidents.
LAKE WARREN, Route
123, East Alstead.
There's a public boat landing. The pond is a great place for fishing boats,
canoes or Sunfish-type sailboats. It is not a town-sanctioned beach for
swimming.
NEWELL POND,
Mill Pond Road, Alstead.
There's a public boat landing, but no public swimming facilities.
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GREGG LAKE, Gregg
Lake Road, Antrim.
There are two roped-off areas for swimming. One is for beginning swimmers; the
other, which features a raft, is for more advanced swimmers. Lifeguards are on
duty most days and the lake is open from sunrise to sunset.
There's a playground, a boat ramp, picnic tables, a volleyball net, ample
parking and restrooms, a soda machine, but no concession stand.
The lake is great for canoes and small sailboats but also large enough for
boats that can pull water-skiers.
There is no charge for residents or nonresidents.
WILLARD POND,
off Old Antrim Road, Antrim.
This secluded, quiet pond is part of an Audubon wildlife sanctuary. There's a
small beach, a boat launch and nature trails around the pond. Parking is a
mile from the swimming area. There are no lifeguards and no facilities. Some
say it's great fishing.
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WHITTEMORE LAKE,
off Route 31, Bennington.
The town has an area roped off for swimming and there's a lifeguard on duty
usually every day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the lifeguard is not on duty, a sign
will be posted to inform visitors. Swimming lessons will be offered this
summer. There are no restrooms at the lake, but there is a chemical toilet.
CONNECTICUT RIVER,
off Route 12.
An access site is located at the end of Lower Landing Road, off Route 12. It
features fishing, boating and a picnic area, with outdoor grills. There's a
parking lot for about 15 cars.
Another access site is farther south at Herrick's Cove.
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A public boat landing is located in West
Chesterfield on River Road. There's a parking lot for about a half-dozen cars.
Another access site to the river is found in Wantastiquet Mountain State
Forest.
NORTH SHORE BEACH,
North Shore Road, Spofford.
This sandy beach, which offers both sun and shade, is rarely crowded and has
excellent water quality.
The swimming area is roped off. A lifeguard is on duty daily, 11 a.m. to 3
p.m., starting June 24 for eight weeks. When a lifeguard is not on duty, swim
at your own risk. The beach is open from 9 am to 9 p.m. There are bathrooms,
grills and picnic tables. This beach closes Labor Day.
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WARES GROVE,
Route 9A, Spofford.
This is the spot for toddlers and teens. The water is shallow for a long way
out. The large sandy beach has a grassy area in the shade with picnic tables,
a concession stand and a volleyball court, basketball, tetherball, swing set.
There are bathrooms and grills. A lifeguard is on duty daily, 9 a.m. to 6
p.m., from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The beach closes at 9 p.m. Fees are
$1.50 for resident adults and free for children younger than 12. Nonresidents
pay $1.50 per child younger than 12 and $3 for adults.
DUBLIN LAKE,
Route 101, Dublin.
There's a public access for boats on Lake Road. No swimming is allowed at the
boat landing and the lake has no public beach.
LAUREL LAKE,
Fitzwilliam.
The public beach is for residents only and is periodically checked by local
police. There are no facilities. The boat access is open to the public.
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CONTOOCOOK RIVER,
Powder Mill Fish and Wildlife Management Area.
This fishing area is maintained by the N.H. Fish and Game Department and is
suitable for canoes and small boats.
OTTER LAKE in
Greenfield State Park, off Route 136.
This 401-acre park features a half mile of frontage on Otter Lake, picnic
grounds, nature trails, canoe, kayak and paddle boats rentals, changing rooms,
a snack bar and a park store. The beach is monitored by a lifeguard. There are
separate areas for campers and for day visitors. The park is open Monday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 8
p.m. Admission is $2.50 per person, free for those younger than 12 and for New
Hampshire residents 65 and older.
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SUNSET LAKE,
off Sunset Lake Road. This beach is open only to Greenfield residents. A
lifeguard is on duty Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., for the next
nine weeks. American Red Cross Swimming lessons will be offered Monday,
Wednesday and Friday starting June 26. Cost is $7 per child, refundable if the
child attends all lessons. The beach has a chemical toilet and parking for
about 10 cars.
ZEPHYR LAKE,
off Zephyr Lake Road.
There is public access, but no lifeguard and no facilities. There is parking
for just a few cars.
NORWAY POND,
Route 123, Hancock.
The beach is open daily only to Hancock residents and their guests. There's a
lifeguard on duty Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The moderately
sandy beach has a roped-off area for swimming. It has a portable toilet and a
small parking area for about 15 cars. The beach is open from June 21 through
Aug. 20. Swimming lessons start July 5.
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NUBANUSIT LAKE,
off Route 123, Hancock.
There's a boat launch, but no public beach.
SILVER LAKE,
East Lake Road, Harrisville.
There is a beach for residents only. There is no parking lot and cars parked
on the road will be ticketed.
HARRISVILLE POND,
Harrisville.
This beach is for residents only. Cars need a recycling center sticker to park
and it's monitored by a beach committee. There are no restrooms, but there is
a portable toilet. No dogs are allowed.
RUSSELL RESERVOIR,
Harrisville.
This small beach is for residents only. Parking is limited. There is a
portable toilet and one picnic table.
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CONNECTICUT RIVER.
The town has a public access sites for fishing and launching boats at the foot
of Sand Hill, off of Prospect Street. There's a small parking lot.
FRANKLIN PIERCE LAKE,
off Route 9, Hillsboro and Antrim.
The beach is open to the general public. There's ample parking and no
admission charge. There are changing facilities and a lifeguard on duty daily,
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The pond features a sandy beach, a roped-off swimming
area, a raft and picnic tables.
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OTTER BROOK RECREATION AREA,
Route 9, Keene. This beach is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. Buoys
mark off a swimming area that goes out to a 6-foot depth. Its 400 feet of
beach slopes out gradually. Visitors older than 12 pay $1, with a maximum of
$3 a car. Otter Brook is mostly sunny but there are a few shade trees. Picnic
sites stretch along the river. There are no lifeguards on duty. Park rangers
maintain order at the beach and are certified in CPR.
The park has horseshoe pits, a ball field, two restrooms and a changing
facility. There are 55 fireplaces and 90 picnic tables. Groups can rent a
small picnic shelter for $40 per day. A larger one rents for $60. Use of
electricity is an additional $5.
Water quality is tested biweekly. Otter Brook is a river-fed beach.
A boat launch is available, but no gasoline driven motorboats are allowed.
The beach, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., closes for the season the first Sunday after
Labor Day. There's a carry-in, carry-out policy on trash. A vehicle season
pass is $25. No pets are allowed.
Keene Parks and Recreation Pools. Wheelock Pool,
Wheelock Park, Park Ave. and Robin Hood Pool, Robin Hood
Park, Reservoir Street.
Pools will open June 19. Passes are on sale at the Rec Center.
Please note rates: Keene resident
family $40, Keene resident adult $25 (18+), Keene resident child $20 (6-17),
Non-resident family $60, Non-resident adult $35, Non-resident child $25, Daily
rates without a pass are $1 child, $2 adult
Swim lessons first session registration June 21, 9 to noon at the pools.
Lessons begin June 23 and run 4 weeks (thru July 18). Resident $20,
non-resident $35.
Second session registration July 19, lessons July 21 thru Aug 15. There will
not be waterbaby or toddler classes, however there will be “splash and laugh”
sessions offered. Interested people should call the Rec for details
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STONE POND,
Stone Pond Road, Marlborough.
This place is open to Marlborough residents with a beach and recycling center
permit. It's swim at your own risk. Dogs and alcoholic beverages are not
allowed.
SAND POND,
West Shore Road, Marlow.
Part of this pond is in Marlow and part is in Lempster. There's a boat landing
on West Shore Road. There's a bathroom and parking for about a half-dozen
cars.
GUSTON POND, Guston
Pond Road, Marlow.
Guston Pond is used primarily for fishing from shore. There is no boat
landing. The pond is best for canoes and other boats that can be carried.
Parking is restricted to the roadside. There is no beach area. This is not a
town-sanctioned beach.
VILLAGE POND,
Washington Pond Road off Route 10, Marlow.
There is a small sandy beach. Parking is along the roadside. Most beachgoers
are villagers who just stroll over for a dip. There are no changing
facilities, no bathrooms, no roped-off swimming area and no lifeguards.
GRANITE LAKE,
Stoddard and Nelson. A public boat access in Nelson can be found off the old
Route 9. There is no public beach on the lake.
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CUNNINGHAM POND,
off Cunningham Pond Road, off Route 101.
The beach, which is open to Peterborough residents and their guests, has 200
feet of water frontage. It has a landing for nonmotorized boats, a parking lot
for 45 cars, bathrooms, changing rooms, picnic tables and a lifeguard on duty
every day, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PEARLY POND,
Franklin Pierce College campus, Rindge.
The college allows public swimming within a roped-off area. Certified
lifeguards are on duty Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday
and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The beach will be staffed through Labor Day.
Admission is free. Canoes are available.
There are no restrooms, changing facilities or concession stand. There is
limited street parking.
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HIGHLAND LAKE,
Route 123, Stoddard.
There are two places to launch a boat on this 5-mile long lake. One is as you
cross the bridge on Route 123; the other is on the eastern shore at the end of
Shedd Hill Road at Highland Lake Marina. Neither location offers a public
swimming beach.
ISLAND POND,
Route 123, Stoddard.
There is a large beach area and boat landing. Swimming is at your own risk.
It's sandy near the waterfront and the depth drops off at about 10 feet. It
tends to be a bit mucky on the bottom. The pond gets crowded because of
numerous nearby cottages.
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CENTER POND,
Center Pond Road, Stoddard.
This has a small, sandy beach and a boat landing. The water depth drops off
gradually. The beach is not very crowded because it's far from the center of
town. Swim at your own risk. Water quality is good because it's spring fed.
GRANITE LAKE,
Stoddard and Nelson.
A public boat access in Nelson can be found off the old Route 9. There is no
public beach on the lake.
SURRY MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA,
Route 12A, Surry.
This beach is one of the area's largest. It is maintained by the Army Corps of
Engineers. Visitors older than 12 pay $1 per day, with a maximum of $3 a car.
It's very sunny with lots of sandy beach. One end has a little tree cover.
There are two restrooms, one handicapped accessible, and a separate building
for changing.
The beach is about 700 feet long. Swimming
buoys are posted where the water reaches 6 feet deep. The farthest buoy is
about 50 feet out. Swimming is restricted to that area.
A boat ramp, which costs $2 to use, allows easy launching. Motor boat engines
are restricted to 10 horsepower.
There are no lifeguards. Park rangers maintain order at the beach and are
certified in CPR.
There are no showers, but there are drinking
fountains, horseshoe pits, 80 picnic tables, 50 fireplaces and areas for ball
games. There are two large shelters for groups to rent, for $60 a day, $65
with electricity.
It can get quite crowded on weekends, occasionally necessitating the closing
of the front gates. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Water quality, maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers, is tested biweekly.
No pets are allowed. A vehicle season pass is $25. The beach has a carry-in,
carry-out policy on trash.
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RICHARDSON PARK,
Swanzey Lake, East Shore Road off of Swanzey Lake Road.
This shady beach, which is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily, 10
a.m. to 8 p.m., has a beautiful view. The water goes out 30 feet before it is
over an adult's head. A swimming area is roped off for younger children. The
beach is often quite crowded. There is a lifeguard on duty daily, generally 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. The beach does have bathrooms.
There is no charge to get in. It is for residents only. There are quite a few
picnic tables. Water quality is usually good.
WILSON POND,
Route 32, North Swanzey.
This is a small sunny beach where you can easily launch a boat. There are no
facilities and no concession stands. It's a side-of-the-road spot where people
cool off on hot days. It is sometimes very crowded.
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CONNECTICUT RIVER,
off Route 12. he N.H. Fish and Game Department has three public access spots
in Walpole. They're appropriate for fishing and for launching boats and
canoes.
The first site, off Route 12, is at the end of an unmarked gravel road, which
cuts between two corn fields, just north of the Westminster Bridge. The other
site, also off Route 12, is just before the bridge going into Bellows Falls.
The last site is off Pine Street in North Walpole, above the Bellows Falls
Dam.
ASHUELOT POND,
Washington.
Although Ashuelot Pond is in Washington, you get there by turning onto
Washington Road off Route 10 in Marlow. If you go to the end of the road,
there's a place to launch a boat or a canoe.
If you cross the pond, you'll find a delightful inlet to paddle up and a spot
for a picnics. There are no lifeguards or toilets.
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FOREST LAKE,
off Route 10, Winchester.
The lake has a sandy beach. The parking area is free to Winchester residents
who have a dump sticker. It is $2 per day or $10 per season for nonresident
cars. There is a lifeguard on duty daily. There are restrooms, changing
facilities, picnic places and a boat launch..
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