Recreation Department - Town of New London, NH

New London Bandstand Committee 2026 Season

New_London_Selectmen_rec_dept_Fly_into_Fall

Summer 2026 Beach Schedule and Lifeguard and Attendant Hours:

(WEATHER PERMITTING & SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Beach Updates:

Staffing Update 8-10 to 8-16:

Due to staff availability, see below for updated schedule:

Monday 8/10- No Staff at either beach.

Tuesday 8/11- Lifeguards Elkins only.

Wednesday 8/12- Lifeguards and Boats at Bucklin only.

Thursday 8/13- Lifeguards and Boats at Elkins only.

Friday 8/14- Lifeguards and Boats at Bucklin only.

Saturday 8/15- Lifeguards and Boats at Elkins only.

Sunday 8/16- Lifeguards and Boats at both beaches.

Elkins Playground Update:

Earlier this week, upon routine inspection, the wooden climbing arch needed to be shut down out of an abundance of caution. The arch was an older piece of equipment that we had known was going to need replacement at some point. The swings and monkey bars are ready for all your playground needs. We will assess removal and replacement of the arch moving forward.

Beaches are OPEN for swimming Memorial Day weekend, but will not be staffed until the last day of school for Kearsarge District Wed. 6/17.

BATHROOMS WILL BE OPEN 8 AM TO DUSK WEEKENDS ONLY, STARTING SAT. 5/23 (INCLUDING MEMORIAL DAY 5/25) UNTIL JUNE 17TH, AFTER THAT THEY WILL BE OPEN DAILY 8 AM TO DUSK UNTIL AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND

UPDATE 6/17:

Due to an unexpected reduction in staff the Lifeguards will be on duty six days a week starting on Wednesday, June 17th, the last day of school for KRSD

TUES., WED., THURS., FRI., SAT., SUN.

*10 AM-5 PM*

*NO GUARDS MONDAYS*

Beach Attendants and Boat Loan Program start Wednesday, July 1st

*10 AM-5 PM*

NEW IN 2026- BEACH ATTENDANTS AND BOAT LOAN PROGRAM, 5 DAYS A WEEK- WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY

BOAT LOAN PROGRAM WILL ONLY BE OPERATING WED-SUNDAY, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE BOATS MONDAY OR TUESDAY

No Beach Staff on duty and bathrooms closed after Labor Day (Monday 9/7)

Questions or feedback please reach out to Recreation Director, Putnam Kidder p.kidder@newlondon.nh.gov

603-748-1906

Flying into Fall

Kids Paper Airplane Contest and Community Drum Performance Co-sponsored by Echo Communications

Friday, 8/28, 5-7:30 PM
New London, Town Green
From 5-6 PM, Join in the fun as we host the second annual paper airplane contest for kids on the Green.5 to 5:30 PM will be time to fold and decorate your planes (provided for Free). At 5:30 PM we will be ready to fly. There will be prizes for farthest distance and accuracy in three age groups (K/First/Second Grades, Third/Fourth/Fifth Grades, and Sixth/Seventh/Eighth Grades).
at 6 pm at the gazebo there will be a community drum performance, led by Julie Corey and Kathy Lowe. Drummers of all ages are welcome to be a part of the event. There will be hot dogs from the Rec. Dept. and Dole Whip and Popcorn from Auntie Nae’s free for participants and by donation for others.

Lawn Games

New London Inn Common

Mon-Thurs 8 AM-6 PM

Friday 8 AM-8 PM

Looking for a reason to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and connect with your neighbors? Monday to Friday the Common transforms into a vibrant, all-ages playground with a fantastic lineup of classic lawn games!

Whether you are a seasoned champion looking to showcase your skills, a parent wanting to enjoy some outdoor time with the kids, or simply looking to chat with old friends and meet new ones, there is a spot for you. Please treat the equipment with respect so we can continue to offer this type of experience.

"Play Dates" with the Recreation Department during Band Concerts

Friday June 26, July 24, August 21

6:30-8 PM on Town Green

(event will not happen if the Band Concert has to be inside Whipple due to weather)

The Recreation Department is thrilled to announce that we back as part of the Band Concerts on the Common this Summer.
We will be hosting our "Play Dates" on Friday June 26, July 24, and August 21 from 6:30-8 PM. Each night will have fun, games, and free snacks for all ages. It will also be a great opportunity to come and chat with Recreation Director, Putnam Kidder, and ask questions, offer feedback and ideas you have, as well as learn about past and upcoming programs and events.
See you on the Green.

Lawn Games

New London Inn Common

Mon-Thurs 8 AM-6 PM

Friday 8 AM-8 PM

UPDATED KAYAK AND PADDLEBOARD RULES

RULES FOR USE OF PADDLEBOARDS AND KAYAKS

The Town of New London Recreation Department maintains paddleboards and kayaks for use by New London residents, taxpayers, and guests for leisure activities in conjunction with Elkins and Bucklin beaches. This program is designed to allow for short excursions (30 to 60 minutes) on designated lakes. The availability of the equipment is at the discretion of beach staff. The service may be stopped for a portion of the day or all day without notice due to lack of staff or weather-related issues. Failure to abide by the following rules may result in the loss of privileges to use the equipment in the future.

Must be a resident or a taxpayer in New London, or a guest with a New London resident or taxpayer.

A valid Driver’s License must be presented to beach staff in order to sign out equipment. Information from the ID will be recorded on the sign-out form.

Must be at least 12 years old to use the equipment, if under 18 years old, parent/legal guardian must be present to sign “Release and Waiver of Liability Form.

All users must wear a life jacket at all times.

Equipment is limited to one user (except two person kayaks), no additional passengers, backpacks, pets, coolers, fishing gear, or other items may be taken on board.

If it begins to rain or if the skies darken for an approaching storm, users must return to the beach immediately.

Use of equipment is limited to 30 minutes; users may checkout for an additional 30 minutes if they check back in with staff and there is no one waiting to use the equipment. Max use is 60 minutes in any four hour period.

All equipment must be returned to the beach and checked in with staff by 4 PM.

Users will not take equipment out of the water except at the beach from where it was launched.

10. Users will use equipment in a safe manner and will not engage in any unsafe behavior that could result in injury to the user or others or damage the equipment.

11. Violation of these rules may result in the loss of the privilege to use equipment

Questions or Comments Please Contact:

Putnam Kidder, Recreation Director

603-526-6401

p.kidder@newlondon.nh.gov