PUFFER’S POND OPEN FOR VISITORS

Source.amherstma.gov

The Town has opened the Puffer’s Pond area and South Beach for swimming and visiting.  The pond will be staffed 7 days a week from 10 AM to 6 PM to keep visitors safe and to control the number of people using the South Beach area of the Pond. The Town is trying to keep people physically distanced while allowing the community to be safely socially active.

Staff will be wearing Town of Amherst staff shirts in order to be better identified. The number of spaces available on the beach will be more limited than in the past. 

Here are the current guidelines for visiting Puffers Pond.

Prohibited activities at the pond include: 

• Alcoholic beverages of any kind 
• Dogs (on or off leash) 
• Fires including barbeques 
• Smoking / Vaping
• Portable speakers/radios
• Frisbee & ball games
  

Other important notes: 

• Puffers Pond is a swim-at-your-own-risk facility 
• Stay home if you are sick 
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer regularly
• Hiking is permitted on all the trails around the pond and N. Amherst 
• Fishing is permitted but not on South Beach 
• Visitors are welcome to swim in the Cushman Brook upstream of the pond and can allow their dog(s) to swim there too. 
• If the beach is full please ask our team to recommend alternative options for swimming/water play nearby including: 
  • Mill River Pool (95 Montague Road, Amherst) or War Memorial Pools (21 Matoon Street, Amherst)
  • Lake Wyola (Shutesbury)
  • Look Park (Northampton)
  • Musante Beach (Northampton)