Shawsheen River Watershed Association

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Access type: Walk up viewing or fishing site
Parking: Yes Roadside parking on Wiggins Ave. for 2 cars
Community: Bedford
Owner: Town of Bedford
Amenities: none
Notes: This site is only for scenic viewing or fishing. No kayak or canoe launch.

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Access type: Walk up viewing or fishing site
Parking: Yes Parking lot next to river area in shopping plaza
Community: Bedford
Owner: Town of Bedford
Amenities: Restrooms (Possible use at plaza businesses)
Notes: This site is only for scenic viewing or fishing. No kayak or canoe launch.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in Steep Bank natural setting. Less steep bank just down stream if access is possible.
Parking: Yes Parking on grass area next to put-in when gate is open. Do not block gate or access to pump house.
Community: Bedford
Owner: Town of Bedford
Amenities: none
Notes: Parking access on grass next to pumphouse driveway when gate is open, permission granted from Bedford Water Dept. Do Not Block access to gate or Pumphouse. This section is usable generally in spring season with reasonable flow. (As always know your skill, ability and the current river conditions. Your individual discretion is your responsibility. SRWA is not responsible for your discretion.)

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Access type: Not currently usable
Parking: No parking TBD
Community: Bedford
Owner: Town of Bedford
Amenities: none
Notes: Currently not accessible, please check back for updated information in Summer 2024.

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Access type: level put-in, in design phase
Parking: No parking TBD
Community: Billerica
Owner: Town of Billerica
Amenities: none
Notes: Currently not accessible, please check back for updated information in Summer 2024.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in area level put-in
Parking: Yes Parking near put-in
Community: Billerica
Owner: Town of Billerica
Amenities: Restrooms (porta potty near soccer fields)
Trails Accessible from River: Akeson-Shaloo--Shawsheen

Notes: Garside Memorial Launch 780 Boston Rd (Route 3A), Billerica. Access at Akeson Soccer Fields. Parking usually available in large business lot off street. Do not block gate. This access point, officially designated by the Billerica Town Park, is also a good fishing point. CAUTION: In moderate to high water levels the Route 3A bridge upstream from put-in is not passable due to low I-beam under the bridge.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in Medium walk level put-in. Walking distance 100 yardsfrom road to river.
Parking: Yes Road side parking under power lines. Between designated parking area signs only
Community: Billerica
Owner: Town of Billerica
Amenities: none
Notes: Buckingham Drive Put-in. It is located near the middle of the river. A great site to start at or end at for sectional paddling.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in area short walk level put-in
Parking: Yes Roadside in cul-de-sac. Do not park in front of residential homes.
Community: Wilmington
Owner: Town of Wilmington
Amenities: none
Notes: Site is designated Wilmington Conservation area with Kayak and canoe launch access. Grace Drive is located off rt129/Salem Rd Wilmington.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in area level put-in
Parking: No parking Parking at designated put-in site
Community: Billerica/Tewksbury
Owner: Town of Tewksbury
Amenities: Picnic area
Trails Accessible from River: Shawsheen Launch

Notes: Foster Park is a half mile paddle down stream from Whipple & Brown launch in Tewksbury.

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Access type: Access from River
Parking: No parking
Community: Tewksbury
Owner: Town of Tewksbury
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: Foster Park Conservation Area

Notes: Foster Park is eight tenths of a mile paddle down stream from Whipple & Brown launch in Tewksbury. Foster Park itself contains 23 acres, with about 1/2 mile of a loop trail intersected by many cross trails cut by quads. The Takeout is currently marked with a 4-inch, green-on-white Tewksbury Conservation Land marker disk.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in area steep bank to put-in
Parking: Yes Parking near put-in
Community: Tewksbury
Owner: Town of Tewksbury
Amenities: none
Notes: Put-in owned by Town of Tewksbury, trail to put in owned by KofC. Parking in KofC back parking lot by kindness of KofC.

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Access type: Walking trail access from River
Parking: Yes Parking near Street for trail access & view
Community: Tewksbury
Owner: Town of Tewksbury
Amenities: none
Notes: Access from river when paddling

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Access type: Designated Carry-in kayak, canoe and fishing area
Parking: Yes Parking roadside near bridge 3 to 4 cars
Community: Tewksbury
Owner: Privately Owned
Amenities: none
Notes: This is a privately owned property with permission to use from owner. Park near the bridge and be respectful as we appreciate the owner's generosity for usage.

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Access type: Walking path to river
Parking: Yes Minimal roadside parking
Community: Tewksbury
Owner: Town of Tewksbury
Amenities: none
Notes: Fishing and viewing site natural setting. Jae Gray Memorial Bench located along path.

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Access type: Access from River
Parking: No parking
Community: Andover
Owner: Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS)
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: Lightning Tree Reservation

Notes: River access location just seven tenths of a mile paddle upstream from the Shawsheen Pines Put-in. The reservation has trails to explore and is adjacent to the Sanborn Reservation.

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Access type: Access from River
Parking: No parking
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: AVIS Reservations - Sanborn Reservation

Notes: River access location just a tenth of a mile upstream from the Shawsheen Pines Put-in. The reservation has trails to explore and is adjacent to the Lightning Tree Reservation.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in boat launch area
Parking: Yes Parking area at site
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: Picnic area
Trails Accessible from River: There are also two hiking trail sites just upstream from the Shawsheen Pines put in, Lighting Tree reservation and Sanborn Reservation. See interactive map for the locations and information.

Notes: Shawsheen Pines is accessible via Lowell Junction Road and is directly across the street from Pfizer facility via a small dirt road with a sign. The reservation has parking for several cars, has a place to lock a bicycle, several picnic tables, a short trail along the shore, and storage racks for canoes/kayaks operated by the Town. There is a canoe/kayak launch that was upgraded with stairs leading to the water’s edge. Access by water is on ‘River Right’ a short distance past the Route 93 bridge. Note: This site is a wonderful location to begin or end a canoe/kayak trip. You can head upstream into Tewksbury or downstream to the Ballardvale Dam. This section of river is useable at nearly all water levels throughout the seasons.

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Access type: Access from river
Parking: No parking
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: Picnic area
Trails Accessible from River: Serio's Grove Reservation

Notes: River access location just a half mile upstream from the River St Put-in. The reservation also has two boat launch sites which are currently available only by water on ‘River Right’ at the first large backwater area heading downstream. The site also has: walking trails, picnic tables, a pavilion and fire pits. This site is a beautiful location to stop and have a lunch.

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Access type: Access from River
Parking: No parking
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: Picnic area
Trails Accessible from River: Pole Hill

Notes: River access location just three tenths of a mile upstream from the River St Put-in. Access by water is from ‘River Left’ (before the stone arch railroad bridge). The site also has: walking trails, a picnic table, and the site of the old dance hall. This site does not provide good access from the river and is often missed.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in area Natural put-in
Parking: Yes Roadside (3 cars)
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: There are also two hiking trail sites just upstream from the River St. put in, Pole Hill reservation and Serio’s Grove Reservation. See interactive map for the locations and information.

Notes: Nason’s landing is the ‘unofficial’ name given to the launch site across the street from 60 River Street. There is narrow access to the river cut in the tall grass. This landing is in the wide ‘flats’ section of the river. There is no sign identifying this site. Access by water is from ‘River Right’, but may be difficult to locate. From River St put-in paddle up stream for a third of mile to reach Pole Hill hiking trails. Then paddle another tenth of a mile up stream for Serio Grove Reservation. See interactive map for the locations and information.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in Area Open grass area put-in steep to parking lot
Parking: Yes Parking area at site
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: none
Notes: The areas on both sides of the Mill Pond and dam are owned by a private business (river right) and mill building condominium (river left). There is no public owned land for access and parking during work days is discouraged. Permission for non-workday launch and parking can usually be obtained from the private business (Shawsheen Rubber Co) ‘river right’. This site has traditionally been used as a put-in and/or take-out point for canoe/kayak trips and has plenty of parking.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in area Steep bank to river with stairs.
Parking: Yes Parking area at site
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: Dale St - Central St (Abbot Bridge Dr)

Notes: Vale Reservation is accessible via a dirt road that is the extension of Dale Street. There is plenty of parking and storage racks for canoes/kayaks are operated by the Town. Also, there is a stairway from the parking lot to the river’s edge making boat launching easier. The Vale and Shawsheen Reservations (AVIS) provide miles of trails and good access from Dale Street to Central Street. It is possible to take a side trip from the river into the South Marsh of Pomps Pond and into Pomps Pond itself. The marsh can be accessed via a 40-foot portage just downstream (at the second corner) from the Dale Street put-in. Note that low water in the pond or dense summer aquatic vegetation may prevent the paddler access during a portion of the summer season. This site is a classic location to start a 1.5-mile paddle to Central Street. This section of river is useable at nearly all water levels throughout the seasons.

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Access type: Portage 20 foot portage to Pomp\'s Pond and Foster Island Trail.
Parking: No parking River access only
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: http://www.andovertrails.org/pomps-pondfosters-island.html

Notes: Note that low water in the pond or dense summer aquatic vegetation may prevent the paddler access during a portion of the summer season.

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Access type: Designated Carry-in area 50 yard walk to river level put-in.
Parking: Yes Parking along Abbot Bridge Dr.
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: Picnic area
Trails Accessible from River: Dale St - Central St (Abbot Bridge Dr)

Notes: Safety dictates paddle UPSTREAM from the Put-In only. Paddling downstream should not be attempted.

Kayak racks are available through The Shawsheen River Rack Program managed in 2023 by Andover Recreation and Andover Trails.

Additional information: Paddle Your Shawsheen

This site also has walking trails and several picnic tables: More info

(As always know your skill, ability, and the current river conditions. Your individual discretion is your responsibility. SRWA is not responsible for your discretion.)

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Access type: Designated Carry-in area Long walk to river, level put-in
Parking: Yes Parking on York St. just before Carisbrooke St.
Community: Andover
Owner: Town of Andover
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: Sacred Heart Reservation | Andover, MA

Notes:

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Access type: Trail head Access from Shawsheen River
Parking: No parking River access only
Community: Lawrence
Owner: Town of Lawrence
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: Den Rock Park | Groundwork Lawrence, Den Rock Park Trail

Notes: See Den Rock Park for more information.

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Access type: Street access for walking trail only. River view but no access.
Parking: Yes Street parking only
Community: North Andover
Owner: Town of North Andover
Amenities: none
Trails Accessible from River: Shawsheen River Trail — North Andover Trails

Notes:

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Access type: Designated Carry-in path
Parking: Yes
Community: Lawrence
Owner: Town of Lawrence
Amenities: Picnic area
Trails Accessible from River: The Shawsheen River Trail , Facilities - Lawrence, MA - CivicEngage

Notes: (Parking near 71 Shawsheen Rd. Lawrence See photo in Site List for path to put-in). In Costello Park The Shawsheen River walking Trail passes through this park and connects to a trail loop to nearby Shawsheen park.