Breaking: Walden Pond’s Main Beach closed for summer 2025
DCR said last November that it had hoped the pond would remain open during construction of a new bathhouse.
Just days from the end of school and the start of summer, the Department of Conservation and Recreation announced Friday afternoon that Walden Pond’s Main Beach will be off limits for the entire season as construction begins on a new bathhouse.
DCR said last November that it had hoped the pond would remain open during the work, a spokesperson told The Acton Bridge.
But after consulting with the project contractor, South Coast Improvement Company, DCR determined Main Beach has to be shut down because its proximity to the work site creates “a serious public safety risk to visitors,” the spokesperson said in a Friday night email.
Construction should be finished by the fall, she said.
While the timing of the construction is inconvenient to beachgoers, DCR said winter work would be challenging and likely lead to increased costs and delays.
In a video presentation earlier Friday, project manager Nathaniel Tipton and DCR’s director of architecture Robin Pfetch said the Red Cross Beach, which is to the left on the trail to the cabin site, will remain open.
However, since DCR can’t bring appropriate chairs and safety equipment to that beach, and there aren’t adequate staff or storage facilities, there won’t be any lifeguards.
DCR will implement additional safety issues, the agency told The Bridge, including adding two additional seasonal rangers, installing ring buoys, and limiting the swim area to 100 feet from shore — or seven feet deep, whichever is first. This will also create a shallow area of 2 to 3 feet deep for younger swimmers and families.
DCR will also use a small boat to patrol the pond’s perimeter.
The construction will limit parking at Walden, officials said. Currently, there are 300 parking spaces available.
When fully open, Walden has a 1,000 person capacity. Last summer, rangers had to curb entry 63 times. DCR will continue to monitor parking and close the park when it hits capacity.
The new bathhouse is a $6.1-million project that will culminate in a universally accessible two-story building. The state has said the upgrade will address water quality and erosion issues.
Walden Pond is a popular destination for swimmers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. Last summer, rising water levels and high bacteria levels thwarted beachfront bathers.
Margaret Carroll-Bergman contributed reporting.
8:30 p.m.: This breaking story has been updated.
