Show All Answers

1. Do I have to pay to enter the park?

There is no fee to enter the park.

2. Are dogs allowed at the park?

Yes, however dogs are not allowed on the beach and all dogs must be leashed at all times. 

The following are the Town of Acton Bylaws Relating to Animal Control:

E22. No  person  shall  own  or  keep  a  dog,  six  months  or  older,  within  the  Town unless  a license  for  such  dog  is  obtained  from  the  Town  Clerk. The  license period is the time frame between January 1st and the following December 31st, inclusive.  The  fee  for  such  a  license  will  be  determined  by  the  Board  of Selectmen in a public meeting. 

E23. Any person who is the owner or keeper of a dog in the Town of Acton and who  fails  to  license  said  dog  within  the  time  required  by  Chapter  140,  Section 137  and  137A  of  the General  Laws  shall  be  subject  to  a  penalty  of  twenty - five dollars ($25.00) to be collected as provided by law.

E24. No person owning or keeping any animal in the Town of Acton shall permit the  animal  to  go  at  large  to  the  injury  or  nuisance  of  others.  In  addition,  a  dog should  not  go outside  the  boundaries  of  the  property  of  its  owner  or keeper unless  under  the  complete  and  effective  control  of  said  owner  or  keeper  by means of a leash or otherwise. 

E25. Owners or keepers of animals in violation of the foregoing section shall be subject to fines which shall be determined by the Board of Selectmen.

3. Picnic Rentals: Can I just go to NARA and have an outing? How much is it?

NARA Park Picnic Pavilion, Bathhouse Pavilion, and Tented areas are generally rented out during the peak season. Enforcement of permits is handled by the Recreation Department.  We encourage you to have a permit to secure the picnic/field location for your outing.  A group of people is considered more than 6 people. Users who do not have a permit can be asked to leave and must vacate picnic areas if the area has been permitted. Fees vary by type of rental use and are quoted once an application has been submitted for review.  For a Field and Facility Permit (picnic area included) Application and Fee Schedule, please visit www.acton-ma.gov/recreation and click on the Fields and Facilities link.

4. How do I apply to use a Town sports field or playground?

The Recreation Department oversees the following fields and playgrounds:

Concord Road Field
Elm Street
Gardner Field
Goward Playground
Great Hill/Little Great Hill
Jones Field
Joseph Lalli Miracle Field
MacPherson/Hart
NARA Park
Robbins Mill Recreation Area
School Street Fields
TJ O’Grady Memorial Skate Park
Veteran’s Field

Field permits are required for organized use.  Applications can be found at www.acton-ma.gov/recreation on the Field and Facilities link.

5. What is the water quality at NARA pond? Is it tested?

State regulations require that public swimming areas be tested periodically for acceptable levels of E.coli bacteria, to protect the health of the bathing public. NARA pond is a freshwater ecosystem that supports fish, turtles, frogs and other forms of life. Testing is performed by the Acton Board of Health on a weekly basis and a water sample is sent to a lab with results made available in 24 hours. Bacteria testing requires this incubation period.  A result that exceeds 235 ppm will trigger the closing of the beach to swimmers, until follow up testing, which will be performed daily, shows a reduction to acceptable bacteria levels.  It should be noted that beach closings at NARA are not a frequent event. Please contact the Board of Health if you would like additional information at 978-929-6632.

6. What is the walking Perimeter of the interior pathway at NARA?

The pathway around the entire Park is approximately 1 mile. The pathway around just the pond is approximately 1/2 mile.

7. Is the walking path plowed in the winter?

During the winter, the path may or may not be maintained due to other Town snow removal priorities. 

8. Is sledding and /or ice skating permitted at NARA Park?

Sledding: Sledding is at your own risk.  It is recommended that any sledding be done on the hill towards the fields.  We ask that you please refrain from sledding towards the amphitheater or the pond and to not build sled ramps. 

Skating: Skating is at your own risk. The pond at NARA Park is a natural pond and therefore we do not recommend skating on it or any open outdoor pond or lake.  We advise skaters to use indoor or outdoor man-made rinks.

9. How do I register for:

• BEACH MEMBERSHIP
  Beach forms can be found online on the Rec. webpage: www.acton-ma.gov/beach.  Forms must be mailed-in or brought to the Recreation Dept. office.  Forms are also accepted at the beach during normal operations.  If paying via a credit card, it must be completed at the Recreation Department office.  There is an added fee of 3% for credit card transactions.
• SUMMER CAMP
  Registration for Camp can be completed online at www.actonrec.com. Forms can be obtained for mail-in by visiting www.acton-ma.gov/camp or are available at the Recreation Department office.
• CLASS PROGRAM
  Registration is available online at www.actonrec.com.  Registration can also be completed in-person or via mail.
• BUS TRIPS
  Registration is available online at www.actonrec.com.  Registration can also be completed in-person or via mail.
• COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS
  There are three locations:  Morrison Farm, North Acton, and Hebert Farm.  Plot rentals are available via first-come, first served registration process at the Cemetery Department office.  Available plots are limited and dependent upon non-renewal from a prior plot user.
• CAMP ACTON PERMIT
  Permits are required for use at Camp Acton located on Pope Road.  Applications can be found on Field and Facility Recreation page.

10. Concert and special event information

Town of Acton Recreation Department events are listed online at www.acton-ma.gov/events.  Flyers for each of these events can also be found on the website.  A listing of the events and/or  program booklet is available at the Recreation Department office.

11. What is your Tax ID number?

046-001-062