Ames Pond In Stoughton Opening This Month

STOUGHTON, MA — Although summer is likely to look different amid the coronavirus pandemic, there will be a little return to normalcy with Ames Pond opening for swimming this month.

Stoughton Recreation officials said the beach will officially open for the season on June 27 but with a reduced capacity and other COVID-19-related safety procedures.

To enjoy the Ames Pond beachfront, residents must purchase a morning or afternoon day pass in advance on StoughtonRec.org with a credit or debit card. Cash cannot be accepted at the office or gate.

Morning passes are from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and afternoon are from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Prices can be found below:

• Children under 2 are free.
• Kids and seniors are $3.50
• Adults are $4.50 (family max of $16)

There are no family or season passes this year to help accommodate as many residents as possible during this time of limited capacity. Additionally, there are no swim lessons this year.

"We understand how this may be frustrating or upsetting, but please know these changes were necessary to operate under the current regulations by the state of MA and at the local level," Stoughton Recreation said in a Facebook post. "This is not permanent and both family passes and swim lessons will be back for the 2021 season."

The beachfront will implement a carry in, carry out trash policy, and there will be no trash bins at the pond. Groups are limited to less than 10 people, and all groups must keep their social distance on the beach. Masks must be worn when entering the beachfront and when social distance cannot be maintained. All children must be accompanied by an adult.