Name: Parsons Beach
Location: Off Route 9 entering Kennebunk from the Route 1 South on Parson’s Road.
Resources: Limited parking, no public restrooms, dining or lifeguard facilities.
Rules: NO camping, fires, private parties, surfboards or motorized vehicles. Please stay off endangered sea grass and do not remove animal, marine or plant life.
Dogs: Signs that we saw did not prohibit them.

Yes Virginia, there is a Kennebunk, set between the bustling tourist sites at Kennebunkport and Wells, Maine. In fact, Kennebunk has a number of attractive sandy beaches , and Parsons is the least known. And it will stay that way due to the very limited number of parking spaces and a refreshing lack of facilities.

Just down the road from the Rachael Carson Trail is the rural Parson’s Road. The tree-lined street leads to a small outlet to the sea. But the access is privately owned, and visitors are forever in the debt of the family that keeps the attractive scene open. The road crosses a small bridge where there is a strictly limited number of parking spaces. Those who want a guaranteed spot should think of biking instead.

A sign on the sandy path leading to the unspoiled crescent beach spells out the rules. The road to the houses at the right is private and the posted warning confirms that. It says: "Access to this private beach may be terminated by the adjacent landowners at any time." In 2003 an extremely way rare 18-foot female whale was discovered at Parson’s Beach. Even the wildlife seems to know how wild this spot is.

Pbotos by J. Dennis Robinson