There are a couple of swimming places we enjoy for a quick dip but in writing this column about fresh water beach suggestions, I checked in with friends about where they like to swim. Some entertaining banter ensued in a group email. One mom didn't care for a particular location suggested by another because it is dog friendly. She said it translated to "(crap) everywhere" because not all dog owners follow the rules of picking up their messes.
While the other mom agreed on that point during our email exchange, she said her kids liked swimming there because there was a place to climb and jump into the water. There was also a convenience factor as the swimming hole was right down the street from where she lived.
I spoke with a friend on the phone about her favorite places to swim and she was very enthusiastic about Limington Rapids. It is actually a rest stop of Route 25 but locals know it to be a great place to cool off. My friend said it's a fun stop for her four kids when they're driving home.
"Nicole, you do know that's the place we had the run-in with leeches a few years ago, right?" I asked, recalling a story I wrote three summers ago about scraping off numerous wild-rice-sized leeches from my then 10-year-old with an old credit card.
She did not realize it was the same place. But she said in all the times she's been there (many over the years), she has never seen a leech there. And the truth is, this used to be a favorite swimming spot for my kids as well. It wasn't until the proverbial 101st visit that a bunch of leeches found their way to my daughter (we've been back there swimming and, sticking to the sandy areas, haven't run in to leeches again).
I think these chats underscore how most parents make choices about places to swim during Maine's short summer. We don't always go for the 'ideal' beach but rather for one that is convenient to where we live or a place we're passing by on our commute home. The cost is also typically a factor as well, particularly if you're taking your kids' friends along, too.
A quick stop is also a good incentive program for getting the kids to do chores in exchange for a quick dip.
So I offer a roundup of swimming holes that my friends have suggested to me as being family-friendly even if some also have some less ideal features about them.
I also want to note that I am aware this is not a comprehensive listing. But it can offer a lead if you live near or are passing by these areas. The best way to find out about fun places to swim is to simply ask all your friends. Other moms are the best sources of information. You can also post a comment (below) to offer your own suggestions.
Readfield Town Beach
From Kerry Wilkins-Deming of Winthrop
Where: on Maranacook Lake, off Route 17/Main Street in Readfield
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Terrain: Sandy beach
Swim Area: Roped off area
Admission: Non-resident day pass $5 for one guest; $10 for 2 to 4 guests; Resident season permits available.
Lifeguards: No
Bathrooms: Yes
Trash: Carry In, Carry Out
Pets: Not permitted
Other: Dock to swim out to. Picnic tables, some under cover. readfield.govoffice.com
Kerry explains why she likes to visit with her preschooler and teen. "I enjoy the Readfield beach due to it's quiet and quaint nature. You are able to keep an eye on your wee ones without difficulty and it's very clean! It is a true family beach."
Range Pond State Park
From Sarah Sparks of New Gloucester
Where: Range Pond in Poland Spring, off Route 122 on Empire Road
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Terrain: Sandy beach
Swim Area: Float perimeter
Admission: Maine residents: adult $4.50; children under 12 and seniors: free; Non-Resident adult $6.50; Non-resident seniors $2
Bathrooms: Yes
Trash: Carry In, Carry Out
Pets: Permitted on leash, not allowed on beach area
Other: Picnic tables and grills available. There is a playground, ball field and boat launch. Lots of parking available. www.maine.gov
Sarah explains why she likes to take her preschooler to this beach. "I like this beach because it is convenient for parking, restrooms/changing, and has other options, like the playground."
Shaw Park
From Julie Anderson, of Gorham
Where: on Presumpscott River in Gorham, off Route 237 on Partridge Lane
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Terrain: Sandy beach
Swim Area: No roped area
Admission: Free
Lifeguard: No
Bathrooms: No
Trash: Carry In, Carry Out
Pets: Yes
Other: Because this is a dog-friendly spot, you may find droppings on the beach
Julie explains why she goes to this spot with her two elementary school-aged boys. "It wouldn't be my first choice for an afternoon of beaching it because it's quite small. But my kids love to go for a quick dip since it's so close to our home."
Limington Rapids
From Nicole Foster, of Windham
Where: on Saco River in Limington, off Route 25
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Terrain: Have to walk across rocks to get to sandy beach
Swim Area: No designated area
Admission: Free
Lifeguard: No
Bathrooms: Yes
Trash: Carry In, Carry Out
Pets: Permitted on leash
Other: Picnic tables and grills available. Small parking area usually fills up on hot days.
Nicole explains why she likes to visit with her four children, ages 8 months to 12 years old. "I like this place because it's a nice stop on the way home. There are quiet inlets for little ones and the little island for the bigger kids to swim out to. There is also a Porta-Potty and it's convenient and free."
Tassle Top Beach
From Nicole Foster, of Windham
Where: on Sebago Lake in Raymond, off Route 302
Hours: Through August 15 – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; August 16 to Labor Day – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Terrain: 900 feet of sandy beach
Swim Area: Float perimeter
Admission: Children age 2-10 - $1; Adults (age 11-64) - $4.00; Seniors - $1; Evenings Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to closing general admission is 1/2 price (except holidays and weekends); Season passes available
Lifeguard: No
Bathrooms: Yes
Trash: Carry In, Carry Out
Pets: No
Other: Nature trail. Parking area can fill up on hot days and staff will close beach to new visitors. www.raymondmaine.org
Nicole explains why she likes this beach. "There are little private coves to set up your stuff. And there is a huge roped area for swimming. There is also an old fashioned foot wash to rinse feet."
Kiwanis Beach
From the Almeida kids
Where: on Watchic Lake in Standish, off Route 25 on Kiwanis Beach Road Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Terrain: Sandy Beach
Swim Area: Float perimeter
Admission: $4/adults, $1/children under 12; After 5 p.m. $1 for all ages
Lifeguard: No
Bathrooms: Yes, bathhouse
Trash: Cans or Carry In, Carry Out
Pets: No
Other: Boat launch for a fee; Snack shack. 642-3071
The Almeida 15-year-old explains why she likes this beach. "It's a nice big lake. The water is clean and it's fun to hang out there. I like how it has a real bathroom there and they sell food at the snack shack. I also like that we can bring out canoe there. The lake is really pretty."
Dundee Park
From the Almeida kids & friends
Where: on Presumpscot River in Windham, off River Road on Dundee Park Road
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Terrain: Sandy Beach
Swim Area: Float perimeter with floating dock
Admission: Windham residents: adult $4; child (ages 2-12) $2; Non-resident adult $5; Child $3, All seniors $3 anytime; *After 5 p.m. Adults $3; Kids are free; Season pass for residents and non-residents available
Lifeguard: Yes during peak hours
Bathrooms: Yes, a bathhouse
Trash: Carry In, Carry Out
Pets: No
Other: Life vest rentals, basketballs, volleyballs and horseshoes offered at no charge with photo ID; Paddleboat and canoe rental for $5/hour.
I recommended this spot to my friend Meg and she had this to say after her visit. "The younger kids had a blast. The water was clean and comfortable and it was certainly family-friendly. If anyone decides to visit, you may find it helpful to know that after 5 p.m., children are free and adult prices are reduced to $3."
Pequawket Beach at Horne Pond
From Meg Kusturin, of Gorham
Town: Spring-fed lake in Limington, off Route 25 to North Road, first right onto unpaved road
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily
Terrain: 1500 feet of sandy Beach, Forested surroundings
Swim Area: Float perimeter with floating dock, boat launch, small pier to allow for little ones to jump
Admission: $5 a carload (up to 15 passenger van) Season pass is $25 for residents, $30 for non-residents
Lifeguard: unable to confirm
Bathrooms: Yes, changing room
Trash: unknown
Pets: unknown
Other: playground with older swings, slides, and tetherball, tennis courts, volley ball area, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, charcoal grills, Abenakis Path, walking path and convenient benches to enjoy nature, canoe and paddleboat rental available
Meg and her large family explain why they like this spot. "The kids really enjoyed being able to swim to the dock, while I appreciated the small pier area which afforded the younger kids a safe jumping area. Another plus was the pine trees and their ample shade. A heads-up that the last mile of the approach is gravel and you truly begin to wonder it you have missed a turn off. The price certainly can't be beat!"
Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine August 2011
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