The town's only public swimming beach, a sand beach and boat ramp on East Waushacum Pond (Lake Waushacum) at the end of Hall Avenue. The parking lot is limited to residents and pre-permitted guests during the swim season, and pets are banned from the beach and picnic areas.
What to expect
Parking
Sholan Park / Town Beach lot Free with permit
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Hours
Beach and parking generally noon to 8pm or dusk in season; the wider park (Sholan Park) allows parking and use only between 5:00am and 9:00pm daily, unless otherwise posted or permitted.
Season
Summer season, roughly mid-June through mid-August.
From mid-JuneAccessibility
Not ADA accessible as of the 2018 town review: the swim area, picnic tables, and lifeguard stations lack accessible paths. HP port-o-potties and HP-signed parking were added by 2018 as partial mitigation.
Dogs
Pets are not allowed on the beach and picnic areas of the park (service animals under the ADA excepted, if under the handler's direct control). This overrides the townwide leash bylaw for this specific site.
Kayak/Canoe/Boating
Allowed
Ball Sports
Allowed sand volleyball court and half-court basketball, warm season
Managed by
Sterling Recreation Department
978-422-3041 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Sholan Park / Town Beach lot
CostFree with permitSpaces50+
Stone-dust lot with guard rails; HP-signed spaces added by 2018 (no designated HP parking as of 2009).
Access points along this beach
Hall Avenue gate
Main vehicle entrance and permit checkpoint.
Boat ramp
Cartop and trailer boat ramp at the end of Hall Avenue.
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Public bathroom/changing building at the beach
Picnic area
Picnic tables and fireplaces/charcoal grills.
Changing rooms
Public changing facility building.
Dock
Boat ramp at the end of Hall Avenue, separate from the swim area.
Not here
No concessions
No concession stand confirmed.
Common questions
Is Sterling Town Beach at Sholan Park in Sterling open today?
open to the public; water quality here is not monitored by MA DPH (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Mid-June through mid-August, during the posted lifeguard season, is when the swim area is staffed.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach or picnic areas at all, service animals excepted.
No; the bylaw requires all vehicles to be removed by 9:00pm unless a separate overnight pass is issued.
Parking is limited to permit-holding residents and pre-approved guests, so it is not a first-come walk-up lot for non-residents.
Are there restrooms at Sterling Town Beach at Sholan Park?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
Can you swim at Sterling Town Beach at Sholan Park?
Sterling Town Beach at Sholan Park is town-owned and its water is not monitored by MA DPH, so there is no official swim status. Check conditions posted at the beach.
Is there an entry fee at Sterling Town Beach at Sholan Park?
No, entry is free.