Bristol Parks and Recreation - Maine

09/02/2026

From Steve. Yes, he does get to leave the beach the sometimes. The final piece of the puzzle complete! The supports are installed . There have been some dedicated folks that have made the past two years possible . Thank you all ! We are done!

When we did the Bell House repair, the brick "feet" were put in for the beam support, but we have not had a chance to get the support posts in yet. They needed to do some modification to attach to the beam as we did not want to put the same bolt system in that was on the previous beam. Steve is now cleaning and making the inside of the actual bell tower safer so that can be open to the public. When that is open, people will be able to see how the fog bell worked because that tower is where the weights for the pulley part of the Stevens Mechanism were housed. We have the diagram itself in the Bell House, along with all of the parts we found in the ceiling and attached to the original beam, including the cable for the pulley. We can't recreate or rebuild the mechanism (though don't put it past Steve to find a way eventually), but just seeing the history and how it worked it interesting.

09/01/2026

As summer 2026 is coming to an end, we are excited knowing it is also the beginning of the process of building the new Pemaquid Beach Community Playground in Memory of Sandra Lane. Sandra was the person that started the push for a playground at the beach, and with her passing it is only appropriate that the park is in her name.

We plan to go out to bid soon for the actual equipment and design for the playground, and have had several well-known playground companies do renderings to give us ideas. We would like to break ground this fall to start doing the site prep work for the area, then do the playground install when that is completed. Obviously the weather may be a factor, but our goal is to have the first phase of the playground in for the children to enjoy for summer 2027.

If you would like to donate, you can scan the QR code on the flyer, or go to https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6HF57DLEHEAUE

08/31/2026

As the sun sets on another amazing season at Pemaquid Beach, we wanted to give an update on closing dates and hours.

The beach is now open 9am- 5pm every day, and will close for the season Sunday Sept. 13th. This year is a late Labor Day so the closing date is also later than normal. With everyone back to school, the beach isn't as busy as it has been, but we also don't have as many staff as we had earlier in the season. Because of that, we may close early or not open on days where the weather isn't looking good. On those days, you can still go to the beach, but the restrooms and rentals wouldn't be open, though there is a porta-potty available. Just a reminder, dogs are not allowed at the beach until October 16th.

Mimi's at the Beach will be closing for the season Sept. 7th, and will be open 11am- 3:00pm daily until then. Those days and hours are weather dependent like the beach itself. Check their page for updates to their dates and hours. https://www.facebook.com/Mimisonthebeach/

Coastal Rivers Discovery Center is now closed for the season there. They had a great season and were able to educate a lot of children about all of the natural habitat around the beach and the animals that live there.

Thank you for a great beach season, and you still have 2 weeks left to enjoy. Closing day for Pemaquid Lighthouse Park will be Sunday October 18.

08/23/2026

It's a little foggy, but there is a great turn out for the Pemaquid Triathlon this morning. There are 160 individuals and 34 relay teams competing so watch for bikers and runners on the roads around Bristol this morning.

08/19/2026

This is why we have the rules for no regular size shovels, holes only knee deep to the shortest person digging, and fill in your holes when you walk away from them. This person is lucky to survive because sand hole collapse kills people every summer. If there was a younger child with him, they probably would not have been so lucky. Be safe out there everyone.

Crews dug for nearly an hour to rescue a young man who got buried in sand up to his chest on a beach on Cape Cod on Tuesday.

08/17/2026

This Sunday is the Pemaquid Triathlon, and you still have time to register. You can register as an individual, or as relay if you want to get together with a friend or 2 to do it as a team. Registration closes this Saturday at noon.

If you are visiting the area Sunday, please be cautious as you drive along Route 130 through Bristol to the beach, and on Huddle Rd as there will be bike riders along those roads, along with Route 32, and Lower Round Pond Rd between 9am and noon. Also, be aware there will be traffic control people at the entrance to the beach with cars being stopped when bikes or runners are entering the park. The website below has the information on registration, course maps, and times for bib pick-up and check-in. We will see you this weekend.

The Pemaquid Beach Triathlon is on Sunday August 23, 2026. It includes the following events: Triathlon and Relay.

08/15/2026

Castlebay will be playing at Pemaquid Lighthouse Park tomorrow 4:30- 6:30. The weather looks like it will be nice so they will be playing outside in the fresh air and cool breeze. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on, and have a nice picnic with your family and friends, listening to some great music by the water. We will see you tomorrow (Sunday the 16th) at 4:30 for Broadsides and Ballads with Castlebay, brought to you by Colonial Pemaquid.

08/14/2026

Our Ellingwood Park Office will close at noon today for staff to attend Sandra Lane's Celebration of Life.

08/12/2026

Construction is beginning!!!

The groundwork for the construction of the new restrooms at lightouse park has begun and we could not be more excited. Local company Highland Building will be doing the construction, with plans to have it finished before the end of the season.

This project was originally planned for 2024, but the storms that year had other plans for us. We are a self-funded department, which means any projects like these restrooms, the new playground at the beach, or the new garage there for our equipment is all paid for from money brought in through revenue, donations and grants. While the Town is there to support us as a department, we do not receive money from the Town's general fund/ property taxes to operate. When the storms hit, the money we used to rebuild was the money set aside for these restrooms. We think everyone will be as excited as we are that we can now start construction of the new building. When you are paying admission to one of our parks, or giving a donation to our department, projects like this are where that money goes. There will be a link in the comments if you would like to donate to the construction of the restrooms.

08/10/2026

It is a perfect night to be outside listening to the Bath Concert Band. This is a free event and they will be playing until 7:30 tonight at lighthouse park. The third time was the charm for the weather.