WORCESTER—With summer in full swing and temperatures hotter than ever, the city’s newest place to cool off sprung up over the weekend in one of its most densely populated neighborhoods.
The University Spray Park, located at 965 Main St. within University (Crystal) Park, officially opened to the public on Saturday, July 19. The new spray pad is the latest addition to Worcester’s lineup of municipal aquatic offerings, and will operate seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m. through Sept. 1.
Operated by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery, the new facility offers another free, family-friendly spot for neighborhood kids to beat the heat — just in time for what’s typically the hottest stretch of the season.
University Spray Park joins several other public spray parks already in operation, including those at East Park (143 Shrewsbury St.) and Greenwood Park (14 Forsberg St.), both of which opened in June. All city spray parks are free and open to residents of all ages.
In addition to spray parks, four municipal beaches — Bell Pond, Coes Pond, Indian Lake, and Shore Park — have been open since June 27, staffed daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. as part of a seasonal partnership between the city and the YMCA of Central Massachusetts. That agreement provides trained lifeguards and site staff to ensure safety and smooth operations.
Here’s the full list of city-run places to swim, splash, or soak up the sun this summer:
Public beaches (open daily noon to 7 p.m. through Aug. 23):
• Bell Pond – 239 Belmont St.
• Coes Pond – 200 Mill St.
• Indian Lake – 500 Salisbury St.
• Shore Park – 115 Shore Dr.
Spray Parks (open daily noon–7 p.m. through Sept. 1):
• East Park – 143 Shrewsbury St.
• Greenwood Park – 14 Forsberg St.
• University Park – 965 Main St. (new)
Also open this summer: The Crompton Park Pool (50 Canton St.), which joins the city’s lineup of public swimming and splash options open daily through late Aug. 23.
Additional swimming options in Worcester include two state-run pools operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation: the Dennis F. Shine Memorial Swimming Pool at 184 Providence St. and the Veterans Memorial (Bennett Field) Swimming Pool at 1260 Main St.
For those seeking indoor options or lap swim programs, the Greendale Family Branch YMCA at 75 Shore Drive offers two swimming pools, a therapeutic pool, and water fitness classes. The Worcester JCC also features both an indoor and outdoor pool, according to the organization.
Worcester’s summer aquatics program runs through Labor Day, with beach and spray park hours scheduled to match peak usage times. Whether you’re looking to wade into a pond, dance through sprinklers, or simply sit by the water under a tree, city officials say the goal is the same: keep residents cool, active, and close to home.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
