What a sweet little swimming spot! I last went to Dean Pond when I was a wee one, and seem to…read moreremember a sad little swimming area, no facilities and a non-existent beach (think "muck" between your toes and slimy little pond plants!). So...I really didn't have high expectations for this outing, but the pond is less than 15 minutes from my parents' house, so....off we went. Clearly, things have changed! The beach is now well defined AND nice and sandy (no muck....and good quality "sand castle sand" to boot!). My son and I had a great time playing, swimming and generally goofing around. The entry fee (parking) is $5, but that buys you a nice picnic area, changing facilities, real bathrooms, and nicely cared for grounds with plenty of room for sitting under the giant pines or eating a picnic meal. We went mid-week, and while there was a bus-load of campers, they were gone by 1pm, and we practically had the place to ourselves. This will definitely be a "must-go" place for us whenever we visit the grandparents!

It used to be a nice place for a lunch but it needs work. Time has left it behind and it is a…read moredreary place. It is unfortunate that it has been so forgotten. Money needs to be allocated towards restoring this place so that it can be something the community can be proud of. Some trails where a few people walk dogs but not much else going on there.

This is my favorite hike. The reasons being its close by and its a fairly easy quick hike when…read moreyou're short on time. The hike at Buffumville has a north side and a south side. This review is of the north side. It is approximately 3.25 miles and takes just over an hour without stopping. The parking is located at the boat ramp across the street if the park is closed for the season or you want to hike for free. If the park is open you will have to walk the trail clockwise because they won't let you walk in the park without paying. If the park is closed you can walk either counter clockwise or clockwise around the lake. This north side hike doesn't have a lot of hills to climb up or down. It is a typical marked trail that you must pay attention to rocks and roots and such. It's a beautiful trail with views of the lake most of the time, a bunch of foot bridges, brooks, stone walls etc. Most of it is well shaded except for a small section at the gas lines. If it's spring I'd definitely recommend waterproof hiking sneakers and if it's winter ice cleats help a lot.

I love taking my kayak here! The water is clean, calm and cool. There's a great island to paddle…read moreout to and circle. You can even rent it to camp on. The only reason it looses two stars is the parking. They have maybe 7 spaces for people with boats, and the rest is for hikers. I bring a van with no trailer because my kayak fits inside. I parked by the boat landing and when I came back I had a parking ticket for parking in the boat area. I was boating. I'm not carrying my kayak to the hikers lot for no reason. I'm not comfortable enough leaving my kayak alone at the Boatlanding to drive to the hikers lot by the entrance because the hiker lot is always full too anyways. So there's no where to park. The nature part is great! The part that the government handles like parking lot size and ticketing are the "meh" parts. I continue to paddle here because it's safe and hikers can see and hear you if you run into a problem on the water.

Spending the day with the familia at the lake. Barely anyone here today (yay) and our choice of…read morepicnic table and grill. The beach is always well maintained by onsite seasonal workers and raked nightly. The grills are emptied nightly and the grassy areas well maintained and mowed. The do have ports potties but no indoor bathrooms or changing areas so come dressed with bathing suits on or hold a blanket around you old school style lol This beach does not have lifeguards but they do offer free life jackets in varying sizes. Free entry and parking is available with a few handicap spots. Carry in, carry out

Slow for turtles! well-maintained swimming spot beach and picnic tables; outhouse; nice grassy…read moreareas and picnic tables. Siog rec. hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Friday Saturday Sunday. There is ample parking and the water is clean but merky on the bottom, lots of wildlife saw ducks geese and a bald eagle here! Adjacent small beach on the opposite side you can access from a different side street, closed when rain or storm forecasted. Also has some wood trail access as well. Occasionally lifeguards? Maintenance staff onsite told me to leave early when a storm came in. Floats paddle boards etc allowed

If I could leave no stars I would, DO NOT GO TO THIS LAKE!!!…read more First time going with my family, we drove in fine, $8 parking fee, and it was empty when we arrived. Our family brought a mix of wood chips and charcoal from Walmart and the park ranger ran up to us and splashed a full bucket of water all over the grill. Yelled at us that using wood is not allowed, no one at the entrance or beforehand had disclosed that to us. It was truly embarrassing and the park ranger was so rude, didn't even bother to explain to us or offer us a different alternative to cook our food with. We were so embarrassed and my baby nephews were really looking forward to the hot dogs that were now soaked with mud. They don't allow floaties, toys, or anything near the water.

It's a beautiful lake. I feel there should NOT be little dogs allowed. Their owners let them run…read moreall over the place. There are many people smoking their weed pens. There needs to be some authority there. The best times to bring our Granddaughter here is early and late in the summer months. July and August are not months to bring her. Hence my rating.

I missed a turn to my mom's and saw this place and then looked it up online and came back the next…read morenext. Quiet spot in the winter with a few food items and good drip coffee (nothing fancy) and a fire place. Soups and sandwiches were good and gone before I thought to photograph but you've seen a sandwich before. Generally, on a quiet wintery day, this is a lovey place to linger. I imagine it's much busier in the summer with canoe and kayak rentals and the like... and there's way for space outside by the river and a fire pit but, again, it's winter as I'm writing this.... I'll have to do that in an update down the line, the summer bit. But for now.... Let's talk about pie. One chicken pot pie and one apple pie later and I can wholly say that this pie crust was the best I've had in memory. I don't like peas but if you're ordering in advance they'll put whatever you like in your pie (within reason, I'm assuming) and my chicken pot pie had potatoes and carrots and green beans. Delightful. Although, again, I could have just had the crust and been delighted. Also wonderful were rosemary scones and Christmas jam. I cut them in half and heated them in the toaster oven and then s good melty spread of some clotted cream (my own) and the jam and... chef's kiss. I also enjoyed the jam with some salty butter on a croissant for more than one breakfast over the holiday. Anyway the place it loaded with treats to grab and go and if you've got the time in advance, do call ahead and order something scrumptious to take to go.

Best day ever with my ladies. Jeff made the perfect hamburgers and jack of all trades was our…read morepontoon captain. He sailed us the Quabog and gave us a guided tour. Thanks Jeff we'll be back. I bought homemade muffins and what I thought was a coffee cake wad a delicious apple bread yum.

Another great hike at GWSP at 6.79 miles! I'm adding some…read moremore pictures including how the trails are marked. Just follow the color! If you find my glasses and case, let me know.

great wooded hike starting in Pulaski State park on the snow-shoe trail then completed the orange…read moretrail which take you out on an eastern route put of the park where you will spend most of the walk between Pulaski and George Washington camp ground. some great features of the remains of a home and an associated man-made pond. in time the orange trail does turn west and ends on the dam at the western edge of Pulaski. The trails are hilly and so.e trees are down, but none interfered with the walk. I would category this as a easy hike. we will be back in the fall yo be sure!

We only paddled by, but this appeared to be a cozy and rustic Boat Club nestled in West Brookfield,…read moreMA. Approximately fifteen to twenty slips, boat ramp, beach and lawn area, and the Club House. The Club House has an open deck for members and other Club functions. Without going up to a window and peeking in, I would only be guessing, that there were a kitchen and bar. One can only assume so. I could see this being a great resource if you live nearby and don't like pulling your boat in and out every time.

We've hiked here many times and enjoy the lake trail which encircles most of the lake. There used…read moreto be a bridge allowing easy access across one end of the lake, but that is gone, and it's a long hike to make it all the way around. There also a dam at one end, and beautiful views of the lake. The lake is 200 acres, and the park includes 24 campsites, a boat launch, picnic tables and shelters, an 18-hole disc golf course, miles of trails, boating, hunting, and fishing. The lake purportedly offers largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel, perch, carp, and sunfish. The trails are now nicely marked, thanks to an Eagle Scout project by Giovanni Couture, Troop 66 in May 2022. The project also added benches with views of the lake. The footing can be a little challenging with rocks, roots, downed trees, etc. In the fall, the fallen leaves can make it even trickier, and quite slippery when wet. This is a very pleasant park to visit, hike, or fish. There has always been ample parking when we visited, and I think swimming is prohibited.