Kid-Tested, Parent-Approved: Bradley Palmer State Park and Splash Pool!

Bradley Palmer State Park
Asbury Street
Topsfield, MA
Wading pool hours: 10:00 am-6:00 pm during peak summer weeks
Call for updates: 978.887.5931
Site: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/brad.htm

The basics: My three children (ages 1-6) and I visited on a very hot, mid-week morning.  This park features hundreds of acres of beautiful wooded trails, as well as paved paths for strollers, biking, etc. (Note: Portions are open to cars).  But the summer highlight is the large wading pool with fun splash features! There is also a nice tot-lot play structure right next to the pool.  The swim/play area is entirely fenced with grassy areas, picnic tables, sun and shade.  There are bathrooms and outside showers.  There are no concessions, but the ice cream truck did come by while we were there.  During our visit there were two lifeguards on duty; also, the pool closed from 12:00-12:30 for what I assume was a lifeguard break/pool cleaning.  This is a good time to do a picnic lunch -- or, in our case, to hit the road!  Two hours of swimming was plenty for this Mom!  :)

Cost: You can park in the main lot for free and hike/stroller in to the pool area, but that is probably over a mile each way; in other words, that plan is only for the most ambitious among us!  Otherwise, do what we did: drive in to the lot right next to the pool and pay $5/car.  Not bad, but keep in mind that the lot fills quickly!

What's great about it:  The pool is large but shallow; there is a graduated entry side, which is great for little ones; there are multiple "spray" features, including a big mushroom and a turtle; the tot-lot is great if there are any non-water lovers in the group; the grassy, shady areas are perfect for lunch; the bathrooms are decent enough; ideal ages: 2-6; great morning adventure!  

Drawbacks:  Be advised: arrive as close to 10:00 am as possible; they only allow in a certain number of cars/people (not sure how many) and then shut it down.  We arrived at 10:05 and by 10:30 the lot was closed, though it appeared they were letting more cars in at 12:30.  Bugs: this is a wooded area and I forgot bug spray -- doh!  It's a public pool in a state park, so don't expect to have the place to yourself; read: it's crowded for only two lifeguards.

To bring:  In addition to the pool-bag basics, you may want to bring: cash (parking, ice cream truck); food (there are no concessions); bug spray; water shoes/flip-flops.

Have fun!