Shakoma Beach Swim Raft

[DPWAdmin]

Hello,

The Town of Enfield would like to inform residents that the swim raft at Shakoma Beach will be removed soon for the remainder of the 2026 summer season.

This decision follows several recent incidents involving vandalism and misuse of the raft. While the swim raft has been a popular and well-loved feature of Shakoma Beach for many years, these incidents have created safety and maintenance concerns that make its removal necessary at this time.

Thank you for your understanding!

Thank you,

Shantelle Delworth

Public Works & Human Services Admin

Town of Enfield, NH

74 Lockehaven Road, PO Box 373

Enfield, NH  03748

(603) 442-5429

dpwa...@enfieldnh.gov

[Lyndsey Boulton]

This is disappointing to hear. I understand that vandalism and unsafe behavior need to be addressed, but it's unfortunate that the actions of a small number of people are taking away something that many families and residents enjoy and use responsibly. I've been to Shakoma Beach several times already this summer with my family, and each time it's been filled with families, kids, and people simply enjoying the beach. It would be a shame if the actions of a few continue to diminish the experience for everyone else.

 

The beach also seems to have declined in overall upkeep since the lifeguards were removed. In previous years, the beach was regularly raked, the swim area was maintained, and the buoys clearly marked a safe swimming area separate from boats. This summer, the beach has felt less maintained, the buoys have not been installed, and now the raft is being removed as well.

 

Shakoma Beach is used regularly by families and residents, and I hope the town can find ways to preserve and improve it while addressing the behavior of those causing problems, rather than continuing to remove amenities that benefit the broader community.

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[Mike Michaels]

Respectfully I request the following information:

1- Who is responsible for the removal of the lifeguards and lifeguard stands?

2- Why isn't the swim raft anchored as it used to be, safe and secure?

3- What happened to the floating safety ropes that kept the boats out of the swimming area?

4- Where is the Porta potty that children so desperately need?

5- Why is the sand area so small, and the walkway down to the water in such disrepair?

At a time when we were asked to spend millions of dollars to build a "path" from the condos over to Shakoma Beach, why weren't the above issues addressed? 

Many more people are affected by the degradation of the beach, than would be affected by the spending of millions on a path that leads to a small neighborhood. 

Who is in charge?

Sincerely,

Mike Michaels 

Enfield Citizen/Taxpayer

On Jul 7, 2026, at 11:01 AM, DPWAdmin <dpwa...@enfieldnh.gov> wrote:



[Bridget Labrie]

Having been in the recreation role in the past, lifeguards positions were not removed, no one applied or wanted the job unfortunately for a number of years. It takes certification and commitment as well as multiple people. So it can be challenging and has proven to be. 

I also know the grounds team cleaned up the beach regularly but with weather and wind it doesn’t last. Also with staffing shortages priorities often shift a bit. But I do know they still try. And I would ask the DPW about the buoys but I think there was a wait for some repairs. Don’t quote me though. It never hurts to call and ask though and see what might be happening. 

I agree this is disappointing that those who continue to be disrespectful bring consequences for all. But as a tax payer it is also frustrating to support something that people choose to destroy. Hopefully we can find a resolution. 

~Bridget

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[Jason Archambeault]

The thing that I find frustrating about this is that as a taxpayer the first I've heard about this issue was today, when I was told the swim raft was being taken away. In that message there is reference to several incidents, but again this is the first I'm hearing of it as a taxpayer. So it leaves me wondering what has been done to prevent the issues in the first place. Clearly it was important to reach out to the town to tell us all that the raft was being taken away. But I feel like a first step would have been to similarly reach out to the town to let us all know about the incidents and that the raft was at risk of being taken away if things continued. Maybe that did happen. I certainly could have missed this message, but from my perspective it seems we went straight to removal without first attempting to address it. It doesn't seem right to punish all of the families who enjoy using the raft because of the actions of likely a very small number of people, without giving those families a chance to help stop the issues from happening in the first place. 

Jason

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[Cemetery]

Hi Mike- 

It looks like maybe your email would be best sent to town employees and not the Listserv. But 

Bridget Labrie | Cemetery Sexton | p. 802-332-5363 | ceme...@enfieldnh.gov

 

Town of Enfield | 

23 Main Street, PO Box 373, Enfield NH 03748 | f. 603.632.5182 |

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From: 'Mike Michaels' via Enfield Discuss List <dis...@enfieldnh.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 1:03 PM
To: dis...@enfieldnh.org <dis...@enfieldnh.org>; DPWAdmin <dpwa...@enfieldnh.gov>

Subject: [discuss] Shakoma Beach Swim Raft

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[THOMAS THIBODEAU]

The Raft has already been removed drove by a short time ago .. 

very disappointing for our town to act this way .. I also agree where

are the safety ropes ???  There is a major drop off out there that

could be life threatening

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[Julie Hermann]

This process of deterioration and losing those items that made Shakoma Beach A point of pride in our town has been going on for several years.

It started, from my recollection, with not being able to find lifeguards -understood it was a difficult time. The search for lifeguards ended.

At one point, we did have some people setting up to sell small food items and beverages on the side of the beach. That also went away.

Then signage of expected and hopeful do’s and don’ts at the beach we’re posted. Signage of that type also went away. 

Then there was signage for camera surveillance. That went away.

Then the porta potties were removed From the Top of the beach. They were moved across the street behind trees, where no one would really know unless you’re in the know of where they are for use by crossing the street into the boat parking area

There were four or five picnic tables. That was reduced to three and this year only two.

The buoys marking shallow water versus deeper water that were set each year for a safer swim area, are now laying along side of the beach in a pile of leaves

The lifeguard chairs were removed early this year.

The signage buoys for boats not to come closer because of The swimming area are now just laying sideways on the side of the beach itself.

It’s true the dock was moved by some teenagers a few days ago, who pulled up the weights and put them on top of the dock and were out in the middle of Mascoma. This was reported to officials. The teens brought the dock back and dropped the anchors.

Yesterday, one of the two picnic tables had been moved on top of The dock.

This has been a slow but steadily eroding process with no recovery of any area of items mentioned above.

It is such a sad statement for a public Enfield beach that has been and is visited and used by so many.

Julie Cloud Hermann

Resident and Concerned Citizen

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/enfieldnh.org/d/msgid/discuss/464256957.62216.1783453461838%40connect.xfinity.com.

[Janice Reed]

The town should replace the raft and the ropes for  the Shakoma beach, that everybody in town can use. Most of the people in town would use the beach quicker than the extra walking trail. If they want to walk to Shaker museum. You can walk on the road. This beach is good for children and other. I have seen the lifeguard chair and other things left I would all went along. Why wouldn’t they put away to make them last longer?

[jean...@myfairpoint.net]

I tend to agree with a lot of what Jason is saying.

I have always felt that any type of incidents or anything 
involving the law seems to be kept below the radar.  In Lebanon you 
can go on the Lebanon PD website and see what is happening
at anytime.  I am not recommending our local PD go to that
Process but I would like to see more information to the public about
what is really happening in Enfield.  I know we like to think
”it doesn’t happen in Enfield” but in fact it does…..


Jean Patten

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[jean...@myfairpoint.net]

Julie,


Well said!!!!


Jean Patten

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[Sharron Wheeler]

My husband and I parked on the top, Enfield parking for the beach on Saturday so we could watch the parade on the bridge,  The parking lot is horrible, the path to the stairs is horrible and the stairs welllllll.  My feeling as someone who doesn't use the beach anymore is that when we were convinced we should move it to the lake [Johnson property] and owned or bought the property I forgot.  Thus it seems that the town decided to just let this one go. I think we don't own it but I am not sure about that. I say all of this without really knowing the background, only observation.  It is a shame though for intown children and families.  

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[Patricia Fried]

As I read the discussion about the Shakoma Beach swim raft, I found myself feeling both disappointed and hopeful.

I appreciate that the Town has a responsibility to respond when public property is vandalized or used in unsafe ways. Those concerns are real. At the same time, I wonder whether there might have been an opportunity to involve the community before removing an amenity that so many families enjoy.

What struck me most was that this became a story in our local news before many residents understood there had been ongoing problems. It made me wonder whether earlier communication with the community might have encouraged greater awareness and stewardship. When people know there’s a problem, they often want to help solve it.

More importantly, I hope this becomes a conversation about something larger than a swim raft. Enfield is blessed with beautiful lakes, parks, the beach, trails, and other public spaces. Learning to care for these places and teaching our children why they matter is part of building a strong community. Stewardship isn’t just the Town’s responsibility; it belongs to all of us.

Perhaps when challenges arise, we can ask not only, “What needs to be removed?” but also, “How can we work together to protect what we value?”

I believe many people in Enfield would gladly be part of that conversation.

Pattie Fried

On Jul 7, 2026, at 6:55 PM, jean...@myfairpoint.net wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/enfieldnh.org/d/msgid/discuss/1783464920.nail11c9oggooo08%40webmail.myfairpoint.net.