From opening dates to fees, what to know about beaches in MetroWest, Greater Milford

Abby Patkin, MetroWest Daily News
·6 min read

You don’t have to travel all the way to the coast for the perfect beach day — MetroWest and Greater Milford have an abundance of town and community beaches for all of your splashing, swimming and sun-tanning needs.

As the mercury spikes and the surf and sand beckon, here’s a list of 18 local beaches where you can keep your cool this summer.

Robyn Ross of Framingham had Framingham's Learned Pond Beach to herself on Aug. 12, 2021.
Robyn Ross of Framingham had Framingham's Learned Pond Beach to herself on Aug. 12, 2021.

Framingham

Framingham’s three city-owned beaches are open free of charge to residents only. The official season runs from mid-June to mid-August, complete with certified lifeguards and open restrooms, according to the Framingham Parks & Recreation Department. When the beaches are open but a lifeguard is not on duty, visitors assume responsibility, the department notes. Fishing is not permitted, and visitors may not use the beach area and docks for launching boats.

  • Learned Pond on Shawmut Terrace.

  • Saxonville Beach on Lake Road.

  • Waushakum Pond on Nipmuc Terrace.

Summer Killgoard, 4, goes for a ride on her mother Ilana's back at Framingham's Saxonville Beach in this 2020 photo.
Summer Killgoard, 4, goes for a ride on her mother Ilana's back at Framingham's Saxonville Beach in this 2020 photo.

Natick

Cochituate State Park

  • 43 Commonwealth Road, Natick.

  • From May 14 through Oct. 30, daily parking is $8 for Massachusetts residents and $30 for nonresidents.

  • Gates are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer. Restrooms are locked at 7 p.m.

  • Hiking, fishing, swimming and certain types of boating are permitted (no jet skis, boating after dark, or alcohol allowed).

Beth Derderian of Framingham dips her head in the cool waters of Lake Cochituate while out on a small inflatable boat with her boyfriend, James Jones, also of Framingham, as the temperature reaches 80 degrees, May 13, 2022. The boat was a birthday present from Derderian to her boyfriend, whose birthday is May 13th.
Beth Derderian of Framingham dips her head in the cool waters of Lake Cochituate while out on a small inflatable boat with her boyfriend, James Jones, also of Framingham, as the temperature reaches 80 degrees, May 13, 2022. The boat was a birthday present from Derderian to her boyfriend, whose birthday is May 13th.

Memorial Beach

  • West Street (adjacent to Natick High School).

  • Beach season runs from June 21 through Aug. 14, weather permitting. Open weekdays from noon to 7 p.m. and on weekends from noon to 6 p.m., also weather permitting.

  • Season passes are available for Natick residents only, and daily passes are available for both residents and non-residents during weekdays and weekends. Day passes are $8 on weekdays and $11 on weekends for Natick adults. Nonresident day passes cost $13 on weekdays and $16 on weekends.

Related: Boating season begins at Cochituate State Park

Marlborough

WWII Memorial Beach

  • Causeway Street (at the intersection with Hosmer Street).

  • Opens June 13 and will close the week of Aug. 29 through Sept. 2, reopening for Labor Day weekend. Public swimming hours are 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., seven days a week. Parking lots open at 10:30 a.m.

  • Open to Marlborough residents only (must show a driver’s license or car registration at the parking lot).

The WWII Memorial Beach in the foreground and the Hudson Centennial Beach in the distance.
The WWII Memorial Beach in the foreground and the Hudson Centennial Beach in the distance.

Hudson

Centennial Beach

  • 89 Fort Meadow Drive.

  • The season runs from June 6 through Aug. 21, with the beach open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

  • Parking passes go on sale June 1, and season and day passes are available for residents and nonresidents (though nonresidents can’t purchase day passes on weekends or holidays). Day passes run $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents, payable by cash only.

Lexi Marcolini, left, and Katy Watson, both 19 and from Milford, enjoy the view from a lifeguard's chair as the temperature approaches 80 degrees at Hopkinton State Park, May 13, 2022. Both recently finished the spring semester of college. They are friends from the Milford High School Class of 2020.
Lexi Marcolini, left, and Katy Watson, both 19 and from Milford, enjoy the view from a lifeguard's chair as the temperature approaches 80 degrees at Hopkinton State Park, May 13, 2022. Both recently finished the spring semester of college. They are friends from the Milford High School Class of 2020.

Hopkinton

Sandy Beach

  • 160 Hayward St.

  • Open to Hopkinton residents only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The beach will be staffed on weekends only from May 29 through June 27, then seven days a week from June 28 through Aug. 22. Staff hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and bathrooms are open only when staff are present.

  • Boat launch available.

  • Season passes and day passes are available, with day passes available at the gate for $10. You can also buy a pass for a boat trailer ($100 for the season or $10 for a day). Seniors get in free.

  • Milford residents who live on Lake Maspenock on Piney Island Road or Upton residents who live on Crockett Road may also purchase passes.

PHOTOS: Splashing summer fun at Hopkinton State Park

Hopkinton State Park

  • 164 Cedar St.

  • From May 14 through Oct. 30, daily parking is $8 for Massachusetts residents and $30 for nonresidents.

  • Swimming, boat rentals, fishing, hiking and picnicking are available.

  • Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the swimming area — open from late May through Labor Day — is available 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Marley, a golden doodle, and Jackie Revzin, of Worcester, get their feet wet at Ashland State Park, May 17, 2021.
Marley, a golden doodle, and Jackie Revzin, of Worcester, get their feet wet at Ashland State Park, May 17, 2021.

Ashland

Ashland State Park

  • 156 West Union St.

  • Open from dawn to dusk.

  • From May 14 through Oct. 30, daily parking is $8 for Massachusetts residents and $30 for non-residents.

  • Swimming, hiking, fishing, picnicking and power boating (12 mph speed limit) available.

The Lake Chauncy Beach in Westborough, shown on June 28, 2021.
The Lake Chauncy Beach in Westborough, shown on June 28, 2021.

Westborough

Lake Chauncy

  • 60 Lyman St.

  • June 22 is opening day, and the beach will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

  • Open to Westborough and Northborough residents, as well as limited Shrewsbury and Southborough residents.

  • Season passes are $65 for families and $30 for individuals, with a $4 daily walk-in rate.

  • Playground and sand volleyball court available.

Rachel Gingras, and Aiden Gingras, 10, of Westborough, enjoyed a football catch at the Lake Chauncy Beach, June 28, 2021.
Rachel Gingras, and Aiden Gingras, 10, of Westborough, enjoyed a football catch at the Lake Chauncy Beach, June 28, 2021.

Franklin

Chilson Beach

  • 450 Beaver St.

  • Open June 18 through Aug. 20.

  • Open to Franklin residents only.

  • No lifeguards on duty.

  • Fishing allowed only at the boat launch.

A summer day well spent: MetroWest residents spend their days fishing, kayaking and more on Lake Cochituate

Wayland

Wayland Town Beach

  • 25 Parkland Drive.

  • From May 28 through June 19, the beach is only open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Open daily from June 20 through Aug. 14, with hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for most of the season (the beach closes at 7 p.m. starting Aug. 1).

  • Boat rentals, sand volleyball court, basketball court, cornhole and complimentary lounge chairs available.

  • Season and day passes available to residents and nonresidents alike. Children under age 3 get in free.

Sandals left behind on a rainy Thursday at Pleasure Point Beach on Lake Winthrop at Stoddard Park in Holliston, August 5, 2021.
Sandals left behind on a rainy Thursday at Pleasure Point Beach on Lake Winthrop at Stoddard Park in Holliston, August 5, 2021.

Holliston

Pleasure Point Park

  • 100 Pleasure Point Road.

  • Open May 28 through Sept. 6.

  • Only Holliston residents can purchase season or day passes. Day passes are available at the gate for $15.

  • Playground and non-motorized boat ramp available.

Stoddard Park

  • 880 Stoddard Park Drive.

  • Open May 28 through Sept. 6.

  • Residents and nonresidents can purchase season passes or day passes. Day passes are available at the gate ($15 for residents and $20 for non-residents). No day passes sold during camp hours between July 5 and Aug. 19 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday).

  • Playground, volleyball courts and covered pavilion available.

Bellingham

Arcand Park 

  • Lake Street (near the intersection with Pulaski Boulevard).

  • Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until it gets dark — whichever comes first.

  • As of June 18, beach parking passes are required ($7 for a day pass; season passes are $10 for residents and $60 for non-residents).

  • No lifeguards on duty.

  • Fishing and non-gas powered boating available.

Silver Lake Beach 

  • 95 Cross St.

  • Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until it gets dark — whichever comes first.

  • As of June 18, beach parking passes are required ($7 for a day pass; season passes are $10 for residents and $60 for non-residents).

  • Splash pad is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Lifeguards on duty from late June through Labor Day.

  • Fishing and non-gas powered boating available.

Mendon

Mendon Town Beach

  • 45 Taft Ave.

  • Opens for the season on June 20.

  • Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.

  • Season passes are available for residents and nonresidents. Day passes are $3 for residents and $5 for nonresidents. Children under age 2 and adults over age 60 get in free.

  • Public access ramp for kayaks and small self-propelled boats available to the right of the beach.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Beach guide for MetroWest, Milford MA: Opening dates, fees and more