In 2003, the PWA formed a partnership with the Town of Bristol Parks & Recreation Commission to open Beachcombers’ Rest, a nature center located in the town pavilion at Pemaquid Beach Park. In addition to its displays and interactive exhibits, the Center serves as base of operations for a variety of multidisciplinary programs that draw upon beach resources. The overall intent is to foster awareness and appreciation for the local environment, thereby helping to ensure that this rare and remarkable beach will be enjoyed by future generations of beachgoers. Interested in volunteering at the Nature Center, click here to learn more. or Email:info@pemaquidwatershed.org

Directions: Click on the green arrow below for an interactive map to Beachcombers' Rest at Pemaquid Beach – or simply click here.

Beachcombers' Rest in the News

Maine Community Foundation Spotlight Grant, click here to learn more.

The Center will be open from 10:30-3:30 p.m, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from July 17 to September 4 (weather permitting). Please join us for our weekly interpretive beach walks and hands-on activities, including visits from a marine animal touch tank, art classes, tide pool explorations, and more. A complete schedule of events is posted at the start of each season. The BRNC programs are fun,
educational, and free (unless stated otherwise), although each visitor is required to pay the nominal admission charge to enter the Pemaquid Beach Park.

Read the column at right for more details about our current season.

Founders at the Beachcombers' Rest Nature Center Joan Lyford (left) and Diane Perry (right)

Beachcombers' Rest Schedule – Opening July 17th! The Center will be open from 10:30-3:30 p.m, Tuesdays through Saturdays from July 17 to September 4 (weather permitting). Please note that admission to the Beachcombers' Rest is free, but there is an entrance fee to the Pemaquid Beach Park – more information is available here.

Touch Tank Every Week with Marine Creatures: Every Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., from July 20th through August 31st.

Program Information:

• Saturday. July 17 (rain date on Sunday, July 18), 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.: Beachscapes Contest. Contestants are encouraged to let whimsy and fantasy be their guides in the construction of castles, sea creatures, forts, or even raked sand gardens adorned with rocks, seaweed, or found objects. Sign up that day at BRNC between 10:00 a.m. and noon to receive a numbered stake and reserve a space on the beach. All constructions will be gently judged, and prizes will be awarded in the Beach Park picnic area at 2:00 p.m. by King Neptune and Queen Neptune. Participants will be responsible for leaving their site tidy after the contest. BYOS (bring your own shovel). Families and all ages welcome.
• Wednesday. July 21, 10:30 – noon (rain or shine): Sea Glass Crafts, Local artist, Tenley Seiders, combines her passion for the sea with her artistic spirit. Join her as she shares how to turn one of your most cherished pieces of sea glass into a necklace pendant. Or, you may choose to design your own ocean-inspired picture frame! All ages are welcome. Tools and wire will be provided; finishing material will be available for purchase at the workshop. There will be a limit of use of materials for one craft item per participant during the workshop. You need to bring a piece or two of sea glass and your passion for the beauty of the sea. All ages are welcome. Children under 8 should be accompanied by an adult.
• Wednesday, July 28, 10:30 – noon (rain or shine): Seabirds Here and There. Come join Susan Schubel, a.k.a. Seabird Sue, to learn about the seabirds in the area. Become an expert on five different Maine birds with "Be a Bird Mystery Boxes". We also may look for birds or bird clues at the beach. Families and all ages welcome.
• Wednesday August 4, 10:30 – noon (rain or shine): The Blossoming Beach, Elizabeth Kellett. A botanical tour of the beach to introduce participants to the plants that favor the sandy marine environment, highlighting their folklore and uses. All ages are welcome. Children under 8 should be accompanied by an adult.
• Wednesday, August 11, 10:30 – noon (rain or shine): Nature Journaling, Rosie Bensen. Create a journal and spend time looking through a selection of books that illustrate a variety of responses to nature. Wander and spend time observing the rich treasures of Pemaquid’s seascape. Feel free to combine words with art, using pencil, drawing pen, watercolor pencils, found objects, sand and salt. All ages are welcome. Children under 8 should be accompanied by an adult.
• Saturday, August 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (rain or shine): Under the Sea. Have you ever wondered what was under the sea off the coast of Maine? Come join us at 9:00 a.m. as local diver, Brian Boone, shows us the beauty and talks about the sport of scuba diving. Weather permitting, he will invite you to follow him to the nearby Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve, where he will bring up some sea life for you to examine. Bring your wet shoes and prepare for an exciting time! All ages are welcome. Children under 8 should be accompanied by an adult.
• Wednesday, August 18, 10:30 – noon: Tide Pool Prowl (rain or shine), Jean McAlice. Discover the tidal pools teeming with life, from mussels, crabs, worms, snails and barnacles to periwinkles, lichen, seaweed, rock weed, and maybe even sea lettuce. Come learn fascinating facts, like how barnacles, which are crustaceans, define the upper tide line, are dormant during the lower tides, feed when wet, that they shed their skin in late winter or early spring, and build limestone houses for themselves. This program is for ages 13 and up.
• Wednesday, August 25, 10:30 – noon (rain or shine): Sand-Casting. Children and adults are invited to get their hands wet and sandy! PWA MCC AmeriCorps Member, Becky Kolak, will help mix up the needed casting materials while participants add found objects from the beach. Feel free to bring in your own special shells or such for making impressions in the cast. Participants will take home a unique piece to help remember a creative day at Pemaquid Beach Park. Families and all ages welcome.
• Wednesday, September 1, 10:30 – noon (rain or shine): Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Beach Rose Hips, Including Recipes! Diane Perry. Participants will discover why many herbalists recommend drinking a cup of rose hip tea daily and that the beach rose, Rosa rugosa, has more to offer than beauty and a wonderful scent. Diane will share her research and recipes on the beach rose and discuss its many uses, ranging from rose hip syrup to eye tonic. Participants will be encouraged to add their own thoughts and personal experiences regarding these “beach tomatoes”. This program is for ages 13 and up.