FAQs

We do not have activities on the weekends. We believe everyone needs a break sometimes, and so do you. We encourage you to come to Hale of course, but enjoy a relaxing day with the whole family. Explore the area, take out a boat, or just relax in the water. With no activities, the beach is a lot more calm, and you can learn to enjoy Hale's quieter side. 

Rain: Hale's Hale's Family & Community Program runs rain or shine. The best part about swimming in the rain is that you are already wet! And often, the water feels warmer when you are surrounded by cool rain. If you prefer to stay on land, we still have our daily activities, and we hope you will join us!

Thunder: In the event of thunder with no visible lightning, we close the water with one long whistle and ask that everyone stay back from the water's edge. We will keep the water closed for 30 minutes, which is in line with the American Red Cross recommendation. The 30 minutes restart each time thunder is heard. Other activities will still run (except for the challenge course), but adjustments will be made to keep everyone safe.

Lightning: If there is thunder with visible lightning, we close the beach and ask everyone to wait in their cars. We will come out to the parking lot to let you know when we re-open.

If dangerous weather cancels your swim lesson you are welcome to communicate with the Beach director or Program Director to confirm placement in another appropriate class. 

Occasionally, if the weather is supposed to be a washout or thunder and lightning all day long, we will close the beach for the day. We try not to do this if programs or activities are running, but on weekends, if it looks like a wet day, please call the guard shack at 781-326-8985 to confirm we are open. 

Yes. Our guard shack offers a variety of quick snacks and beverages for purchase. Visa or Master Card purchases require a $10 minimum; otherwise, we accept cash.

We do provide hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, and chips at our BBQs. 

 Feel free to have food for the family delivered – many local restaurants offer delivery! Ask staff at our guard shack to provide further information to you. 

While we do have Wi-Fi for our registration system and so full-time Hale employees can work, we do not offer Wi-Fi to our neighbors. We encourage everyone to disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other. Cell service is limited. Feel free to use phones for photos but take this time to get to know your friends and neighbors.

Noanet Pond was man-made in the '60s when the dam across the pond was built. Consider thinking of the water like a cup of tea, and the stumps, leaves, and other degrading natural elements are the tea leaves, coloring the water to the brown color we see today.

The water is tested weekly, and the results are sent directly to the Westwood Board of Health, which monitors the water quality and looks for increases in E.coli and other dangerous bacteria. Hale also has bubblers running in the pond in numerous locations to add oxygen to the water which helps break down debris, keeping the water clean. A pond management company evaluates the water several times throughout the summer to determine whether or not it needs to be treated with an algaecide that helps keep harmful bacteria from spreading if introduced to our waters. 

All of this does not mean you should drink the pond water. Please stick to the bathroom water, or you can purchase water at the guard shack. 

Please note that a small population of people may experience a rash from the water, which can be caused by an irritation or allergy to wooded ponds. To avoid this, Hale has provided a rinsing station outside of the bathroom to rinse the pond water off after you have finished swimming. Please be sure not to use soap products when taking advantage of this feature, as soap can add harmful chemicals to the water and the wildlife living in the water. 

Come and see! Visit our website to find out more about what Hale offers year round.