Breezy Picnic Grounds — Attraction in Douglas

Pricey - but we LOVE it there. 10 stars. View is beautiful, especially when the boats are out on the water - along with the ducks! Parking is included in the price. Grass, trees, shade, sun, water slides, clear water, CLEAN bathrooms close by, and a nice food stand. CLEAN grounds. By far the largest swim area with the best sandy bottom we've seen anywhere in the Worcester area. We've been 3 times in June/July 2020 - and plan on going back. Bring your own food, drink, and propane grills - but they also provide a decent snack bar too. After going to free or less expensive beaches - we kiss the ground when we get back to Breezy Acres. So many picnic tables ( some have holes for your umbrella), so many trash cans!! NO SMELL around trash cans or bathrooms. (Compare beach, grounds, bathrooms, and handling of trash with Memorial Beach in Webster MA - and you too will come running back to Breezy Acres even though it costs 3-4 times more!!! Apparently, in this case, you really do get what you pay for.) My 8 year old granddaughter loves it there and so do we. She plays all days long in the sand, the sun, the water and the water slides. Tired out and hungry at the end of the day. The best time is between 3 and 6 p.m. when the line for the slides is negligible, the breeze is warm, the quiet is so peaceful. By then, we wish we could stay just a little longer! Area seems safe, and so far we haven't had trouble with loud music, smoking of pot or cigarettes, or other enjoyment crushing behaviors. They also have an electric plug on the outside of the "bathhouse" - so helpful in blowing up and deflating your rafts and tubes (which, by the way, they allow - along with noodles, water toys, etc.) They also provide 2 -3 lifeguards, and the bathhouse has bathrooms, good soap, water & towels at the full size sinks, and a separate 4 stall changing room for women & kids. Not much COVID restrictions...some posted signs, and a "Use at own risk" sign at the entry booth. Difficult to implement many COVID restrictions in the great outdoors...set your own guidelines and be aware of surroundings. We find it difficult ourselves to impose much distancing of the children when they are playing in the sand and water with each other...keep in mind when deciding whether or not to...

We used to love breezy picnic grounds and water slides, but unfortunately, they have gotten very expensive and busy over the years. In my opinion, they are just not worth the money anymore. My family and I went on a monday, it was not a holiday. For anyone five years old and up, it was $28 for a pass. This day pass included swimming at the lake and access to the three water slides. If you have a kiddo under 5 years old, it is $19. Unfortunately, this is extremely expensive and not really worth it for 3 water slides and a small lake. Currently, it only costs 1 more dollar (29$) for a day pass to six flags. To add to that- It is $20 for a swim pass on weekdays and $22 for weekends. The swim pass does not include the water slides it is only for the lake. So they are charging $20 just to swim in a lake. This is extremely expensive. Additionally, it is extremely crowded. We went early in the morning right after it opened, and it was already so crowded. There were no picnic tables left, so we snagged a spot in the grass under a tree. Unfortunately, as the day went on, it got so busy that there was no more room to set up a blanket on the grass. There were families all around us, and it was like a maze walking around. When we first arrived, the lines for the water slides weren't bad, but by 11 o'clock, the lines were extremely long and took forever. The lake was extremely crowded. There was nowhere to sit by the lake to watch our kiddos to make sure they were safe. The water is extremely crowded and full of kids. There were only two lifeguards. There are also no grills for cooking. Unfortunately, I don't think breezy picnic grounds watersides are worth it anymore. Especially when you can just go to Six Flags for one dollar more and so much more fun.

I think if they let in fewer people at a time, it would make it worth it again. I would be willing to pay the expensive prices if it meant quick lines (more times on the water slides). This would also make it stand out against places like six flags that are charging the same amount for...

The Good: This place is awesome!! Super safe! They made sure everyone was far apart while in line & when setting up your spot on the grass. The bathrooms and separate changing areas smelled like tropical coconuts and bleach cleaner from being wiped down constantly. Staff really was everywhere. At capacity but not crowded, we easily swam without interruption (except for a few lost Marco Polo players) and the line for the slides went quick. The water is warm, the air is breezy so the name totally matches and slide #3 is the best! They all twist you up the sides but #3 was our winner. Bring cash for food, no credit cards, there is an atm ($2 fee). We all had a blast and were asleep 10 minutes out of the parking lot. I was driving so I had to stay awake. 😂

The Bad: Visited with my 2 children 8 & 10 years old. While in line for the slides, I stayed but my kids ran to the bathroom, and when they came back I was told I couldn't be a line holder. We were all going on the slides together. I explained they just went to use bathroom she said No, sorry they need to go to the back of the line but you can stay. I was kind of bummed because I saw other parents doing it, even Mom's holding newborns, so I felt singled out. There is no policy on the signage like they have at Six Flags Canobie Lake, Universal, etc. that specifically says No Line Holding Or Line Cutting.

The Ugly: The Green concrete and bridge that brings you to the slides is BLAZING HOT! Most of us tried to tuck our feet in the greenery or rocks which was cooler but were told not to. The excitement of the slides somewhat makes you forget about it. It would be nice if there was a hose with holes or irrigation that drained into itself on one side so you could wet your feet to keep them from getting burned. Bottom Line: We'll...