Your Cape Cod vacation will likely be full of fun in the sun and time spent enjoying many of the activities for which this beautiful part of the world is famous.
In Yarmouth, Massachusetts, that means spending your days lounging on the beaches, shopping in the boutiques, and feasting at the restaurants. It could also lead you to historic buildings, nature parks, and marinas.
An off-the-beaten-path location that you might consider exploring is the Sandy Pond Recreation Park on Buck Island Road. The park is a few blocks north of Route 28, and close to the Barnstable Municipal Airport and Hyannis Harbor, as well, but provides a quiet escape from the bustle of those crowded facilities.
When looking for a peaceful way to spend a day in Yarmouth, Sandy Pond should be on your list of places to explore.
Recreational Facilities
Perhaps the main reason to visit Sandy Pond is its recreational area, which is full of excellent facilities for the entire family.
For starters, there are two playgrounds, so you can let the kids play while you relax and enjoy the scenery. You’ll also have access to tennis and basketball courts, should you want to play a game with family and friends, or simply shoot some hoops on your own.
There’s a softball diamond at the park that local groups often use, and if there’s a game going on, the hills on either side of the field provide an excellent vantage point to watch.
There are on-site washrooms, which are a necessity if you plan to spend the day at the park, and there is a picnic area with tables there, too. The picnic area even has built-in grills, making it easy to cook lunch or dinner, rather than having to rely on sandwiches or other cold items.
Parking is always a concern on Cape Cod, but Sandy Pond has three parking areas to make it easier. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll find a spot, the park has a lot of parking for its size. There’s also a bike path that runs directly to the park so that you can ride from your vacation rental.
Those who end up with a vacation rental in the vicinity of Sandy Pond will surely want to spend at least one day exploring its facilities.
Activities at the Pond
As you leave the recreation area near the parking lot, you’ll walk down a small path before coming to Sandy Pond. The pond is a beautiful place to cool off in the summer because it has plenty of shade and a small swimming area.
If you’ve brought your kids to the Cape, Sandy Pond is a good choice because the water is shallow, and you won’t have to worry about the crowds of the oceanfront beaches. The water is also far calmer and doesn’t have those frightening ocean currents.
In addition to swimming, you can wade into the water and fish at Sandy Pond, or walk on one of the trails until you find a private spot to put your line in the water. The relaxation of fishing in one of the Cape’s small ponds on a calm summer’s day is unmatched.
Speaking of the trails, there’s a nature walk around the pond, as well, so you can get some exercise in and explore some secluded spots through the trees. The trail isn’t well-manicured, but it’s short enough that you shouldn’t run into too many problems.
You wouldn’t expect to find such a secluded spot this close to some of Cape Cod’s busiest locations, but that’s exactly what the trails at Sandy Pond provide.
The Yarmouth Dog Park
The newest facility at the park is a 26,000 square-foot dog-friendly area to the west of the main parking lot. The Yarmouth Dog Park opened in 2015 and is broken into three areas: one for large dogs, one for small dogs, and one for shy or young dogs.
The park has lots of space for your pet to run and also features picnic tables, water fountains, and cooling pools, so your dog doesn’t get too hot.
Dogs are also permitted on the trails around Sandy Pond, provided you keep them on a leash the entire time.
If you’ve brought your dog on your Cape Cod vacation, you’ll surely want to check out the Yarmouth Dog Park during your travels.
Part of Your Cape Cod Vacation
As you spend your holiday on Cape Cod, you’ll find new and exciting things to explore each and every day. In Yarmouth alone, there are numerous beaches, high-end restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and historic venues, just to name a few of the top attractions.
There are also plenty of parks and facilities that are popular with locals but don’t get the tourist traffic that better-known locations attract. These sites, such as Sandy Pond, give you a little insight into the real Cape Cod and are worth stopping by during your time here.
