Tenean Beach

Be sure to plan a visit to Tenean Beach with your kiddos and fur-baby. With its sandy strand, views of Downtown Boston, and multiple outdoor activities, this little-known beach provides an escape to the water's edge without a long car ride! You can even ride your bike with Fido in tow and park it at one of the new secure bike stand slots! 

Tenean Beach features furbulous amenities like restrooms, water fountains and free parking for about 145 cars, plus metered parking on the nearby streets. At low tide, the Neponset River recedes, baring the mud flats which used to cover the entire beach before Boston's parks department intervened by bringing in tons of sand. But kids and pups love mud, and they may find a treasure or 2 mucking around on the flats! Don't forget the towels!

A large playground, tennis and basketball courts, and a view of the whimsical Boston Gas Tank across the river are delightful for the human members of the family, while the pooches will love walking on the beach, lolling on or beside a blanket, or swimming in the river. Whether they're on leash or under good voice control off-leash, they'll have a ball on this beach! Note that leashes are required between May 1st and September 30th.

While there's no food available right on the beach, vendors can be found just 5 minutes away. Picnic tables and benches, or under the shady gazebos and trees are pawrfect spots to share a meal. Note that Tenean Beach requires visitors to remove all trash and dog waste when they leave.

The Neponset Trail runs through part of the beach's property and can be picked up here for a leisurely walk through the Dorchester Shores Reservation, if anyone gets tired of sun, sand and water. Vintage lighting along the beach and trail provide security for those lingering past dark. 

Whether you find Tenean Beach in the warm months, or brave the chill for a splendid walk on the sand, scoping it out and visiting often will be well worth it!