Pomps Pond, Andover

Pomps Pond is the Town of Andover's swimming beach, at 147 Abbot Street, run by Andover Recreation and Youth Services. In 2026 the beach season ran June 15 to August 21, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. It is a 17-acre pond with a maximum depth of 9 feet; season passes are sold through the town's online recreation system.

The Beach

Andover's recreation department lists Pomps Pond at 147 Abbot Street with two areas, the Main Beach and a Beach Buddies area. The town's 2026 season listing gave the dates as June 15 to August 21, with hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noting that hours may vary with weather and holidays. Season passes were sold through the town's recreation site, andoverma.myrec.com. Check there for current prices and rules before you go.

The Pond

MassWildlife describes Pomps Pond as a 17-acre Great Pond about a mile and a half south of Andover center. It averages 4.5 feet deep and reaches 9 feet, with dark brown water and limited clarity. Most of the shoreline lies within the town's Pomps Pond Park and Conservation Area and is undeveloped, apart from the town beach and a Girl Scout camp.

Boating

MassWildlife says the town beach is where cartop boats can be carried in and launched, at the end of Pomps Pond Road on the northeastern shore. A parking fee may apply, and MassWildlife suggests contacting the Town of Andover about fees and restrictions before you bring a boat.

Fishing

MassWildlife surveys found largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, golden shiner and American eel. It notes abundant, lightly fished yellow perch, bluegill, brown bullhead and pumpkinseed, calls the pond a good place to take children fishing on a summer evening, and says it has produced largemouth bass big enough for the state's Freshwater Sportfishing Awards. Shore fishing is possible along the eastern shore from trails in the conservation land. Anyone 15 or older needs a license; see fishing.

Where the Name Comes From

According to the Andover Trails Committee, the pond was once Ballard Pond, after the Ballard family, whose mills on the Shawsheen River gave Ballardvale its name. Its current name honors Pompey Lovejoy, a formerly enslaved man who built a cabin near the pond on Abbot Road and fished and farmed nearby land. He died in the 1820s at more than 100 years old.

Foster's Island

The trails committee also notes that, as of June 2025, Andover's Conservation Department closed nearby Foster's Island to the public over hiker safety. Obey the posted signs.

Pomps Pond or Berry Pond?

Both are swimming ponds a short drive apart. Pomps Pond is Andover's town beach with town-set hours and passes. Berry Pond in Harold Parker State Forest is DCR's day-use beach: in 2026 it was open May 23 to September 7, unguarded, for the price of DCR's parking fee ($5 for Massachusetts plates, $20 for others). Harold Parker also has a campers' beach at Frye Pond. Andover's other big pond, Haggetts Pond, is drinking water and closed to swimming.

Contact

Andover Recreation and Youth Services: rec@andoverma.us, (978) 623-8340. MassWildlife Northeast District, for fishing questions: (978) 772-2145.