Acton's flagship 40-acre recreation area on a former gravel quarry pond, with a swimming beach, bathhouse, playground, amphitheater, sports fields, and the fully accessible Joseph Lalli Miracle Field. It gets busy on summer weekends, and the pond doubles as a informal winter skating and sledding spot when conditions allow.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker free with resident sticker; $5 on weekends without a sticker
Trails
About 1 mile of paved walkway around the whole park, roughly 0.5 mile around just the pond; winter snow clearing on the path is not guaranteed
Dogs
Dogs must be leashed and under voice control everywhere in the park, and are never allowed on the beach or in the fenced playground
Hours
Park: dawn to dusk (after-hours use needs a permit). Beach: 10:00 AM-5:30 PM lifeguarded hours during the season
Accessibility
Joseph Lalli Miracle Field has a rubberized surface, ramps, and wheelchair-accessible dugouts; general beach/park accessibility features (Mobi-Mat, beach wheelchair) are not documented
Swim
Allowed June 13-August 23, 2026, lifeguarded
Ice-Skating
Allowed winter, weather permitting, at visitor's own risk
Managed by
Acton Recreation Department
(978) 929-6640 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
Costfree with resident sticker; $5 on weekends without a sticker
What's here
On site
Playground
Fenced playground on site; dogs are never allowed inside it
Restroom
Bathhouse near the beach
Concessions
seasonal snack bar · seasonal
Picnic area
picnic pavilion, tented areas, and a picnic pod; reservable with a permit and fee that varies by rental type
Shelter
amphitheater and covered pavilion, reservable, fees quoted per application
Not here
No showers
bathhouse has changing rooms and restrooms but outdoor rinse showers are not documented
Common questions
NARA Park is a public park in Acton, MA. Posted hours: Park: dawn to dusk (after-hours use needs a permit). Beach: 10:00 AM-5:30 PM lifeguarded hours during the season.
Best time to visit the beach?
Weekday mornings before the lifeguards' 10 AM start tend to be quieter, and weekend afternoons get crowded fast in summer.
Yes, sledding is allowed at your own risk on the hill toward the fields, but not near the amphitheater or the pond edge.
Do I need to pay to just walk the loop path?
No, walking the pond loop or the park is free, the fee only applies to the swimming beach and weekend parking without a sticker.
Where do I park at NARA Park?
Resident sticker (free with resident sticker; $5 on weekends without a sticker).
Is there an entry fee at NARA Park?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to NARA Park?
Dogs must be leashed and under voice control everywhere in the park, and are never allowed on the beach or in the fenced playground
Is NARA Park wheelchair accessible?
Joseph Lalli Miracle Field has a rubberized surface, ramps, and wheelchair-accessible dugouts; general beach/park accessibility features (Mobi-Mat, beach wheelchair) are not documented
What rules should I know at NARA Park?
The Board of Health tests the pond weekly; the beach closes to swimmers if bacteria exceeds 235 ppm until a retest passes. Ice skating is discouraged on the natural pond in favor of man-made rinks; skate at your own risk. Alcohol prohibited without a One-Day Liquor License for a permitted event.…