Wakefield
Community Boating
Our 2026 season on Lake Quannapowitt wrapped up on Sunday, August 23. Thank you to everyone who got out on the water with us this summer!
📍 1 Spaulding Street, Wakefield, MA · Lake Quannapowitt
2026 Season (Concluded)
Hours & Season
Wakefield Community Boating ran every weekend from July 10 through August 23, 2026. The schedule and pricing below are kept here for reference and will apply again next season.
| Day | Hours | Last Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | Closed | — |
| Friday | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
2026 season: July 10 – August 23. Boating returns on a similar weekend schedule next summer.
Kayak Pricing (2026 Season)
Per hour · Reserved in 1-hour blocks · Life jackets included
2026 Season Reference
What to Know
The details below reflect how the 2026 season operated and are kept here for reference until boating returns next summer.
Life Jackets Were Required
USCG-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) were provided and required to be worn by all participants at all times on the water. No exceptions. Each PFD includes a whistle to signal staff if needed.
What to Wear & Bring
Think of it like a day at the beach. Clothes and shoes comfortable getting wet were recommended — the sit-on-top kayaks have drainage holes, so some water is expected. Sunscreen, water, and sunglasses were a good idea; valuables were best left in the car.
Weather
Boating operated as long as conditions were safe, pausing or cancelling for thunder and lightning, reduced visibility, or heavy winds. Updates were posted to the Boys & Girls Club of Metro North Facebook page.
Age & Ability
Minimum age to participate was 3 years old. Boaters age 14 and under needed a parent or guardian on the water with them at all times. Boaters ages 15–17 could go out on their own with a parent or guardian signing the waiver. Boaters 18+ could sign the waiver independently.
Location
Wakefield Community Boating operates on the Lake Quannapowitt waterfront at 1 Spaulding Street, Wakefield — next to the public playground and near the bandstand on the town common.
Walk-Ups
Walk-ups were welcome when boats were available, though weekend availability often ran out early — especially for tandem kayaks. A reservation was the only way to guarantee a boat during the season.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
No experience was necessary. The sit-on-top kayaks are user-friendly and stable when seated. Lake Quannapowitt is a calm, flat-water lake — one of the most beginner-friendly paddling environments around. Staff gave a brief orientation before each session. Some swim experience was recommended.
Yes — every person on the water needed to be registered as a household member in RecDesk, with each participant selecting their own time slots and completing the waiver. This will apply again next season.
Pricing was $15/hour for a single kayak and $20/hour for a tandem, booked in 1-hour blocks per kayak. Booking and paying online in advance was strongly encouraged; limited walk-up availability could be paid on-site with cash.
Yes — the kayaks are sit-on-top style with scupper holes, so water drains out rather than filling the boat. Splashing was expected; clothes and shoes comfortable getting wet were recommended.
Red single kayaks had a 225 lb weight limit. Green single kayaks had a 275 lb limit. Tandem kayaks had a 425 lb combined limit and could also be paddled solo.
The minimum age to participate was 3 years old. Boaters age 14 and under needed a parent or guardian on the water with them at all times. Boaters ages 15–17 could go out on their own with a parent or guardian signing the waiver. Boaters 18+ could sign the waiver independently.
Each life jacket included a whistle for signaling staff. Staff monitored the water throughout operating hours and were certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED administration, with boating safety training. A Boston Whaler was kept on standby to reach any boater in distress quickly. This safety setup will return with the program next season.
Cancellations made more than 48 hours before a reserved session received a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours of a session were non-refundable.
Yes. All participants needed to complete a liability waiver as part of online registration, with adults completing it on behalf of any minors in their group. This will apply again next season.