Summer has hit the Greater Fall River area with heat and humidity, but don't worry there are plenty of places to cool off. Residents of Fall River and surrounding communities all have unequalled access to swimming, fishing, boating and long walks on the ocean.
A short drive southeast of Fall River the most popular and by far the largest beach in the area is Horseneck State Beach. From Interstate Route 195 take an 11 mile drive down Route 88 and cross the bridge over the Westport River and enter a piece of heaven. According to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation this nearly 2 mile long, almost 600 acre reservation is one of the most popular facilities in the Massachusetts State Forests and Parks system. The sandy beaches bordered by windswept dunes are just what you need to cool off and unwind. New nature conscious showering and changing facilities and concession are within steps of the parking lots and beach. Day and season passes are available.
Just down the road, a bit further east is Gooseberry Island. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, you can walk the rocky beach perimeter of the 73 acre island and take in the views of the Elizabeth Islands and Buzzards Bay, or look to the west at the Horseneck shore and beyond to the mouth of the Westport River and Little Compton, R.I. Day or night, from sunrise to sunset you can beat the heat and enjoy spectacular views on the shores of Westport. Westport town residents can take advantage of Cherry & Webb Town beach and the East Beach on East Beach Road. (Parking requires a sticker available at the town hall).
From Gooseberry Island you can follow the East Beach road, past the Westport Town Beach onto Horseneck Road for about 1 ½ miles then turn right on Old Horseneck Road. Follow this to the end to Barneys Joy Road and you will arrive at a hidden jewel in Dartmouth called Demarest Lloyd State Park. Here an 1800 foot salt water beach at the end of the Slocum River estuary is a place of beauty and fun. Calm water for swimming abuts shady, grassy picnic areas and wildlife habitats.
Also available in Dartmouth is Apponagansett Park at 77 Gulf Road. Here children can swim and splash at a calm, sandy beach overlooking the scenic harbor, or enjoy the playground and basketball courts just steps away. The beach, park and picnic areas are open to the public. Don't miss the great ice cream at the Oxford Creamery-Gulf Hill Dairy "bucket" right here at the beach!
Located just across the bridge in Padanaram there is a public boat ramp into the harbor. You can also cool off and take in the scenery of the Paskamansett and Slocum Rivers. Canoes and kayaks can be launched at Paskamansett Park at 879 Russells Mills Road or Paskamansett Landing at 287 State Road., and Russells Mills Landing at 50 Horseneck Road. 
All this and more is just waiting to be enjoyed by the residents of the greater Fall River area. So take advantage and cool off in the summer heat!
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To learn more about the Greater Fall River area, visit my website at www.stevew-homes.com or contact me directly at 508-558-8035.
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