Ashfield Lake is a town-owned pond near the center of Ashfield, a hilltown in western Franklin County, Massachusetts. The town's rules call it Great Pond, and its swimming beach is part of Belding Memorial Park. Milo and Annie Kirk Belding gave the land to Ashfield for $1 in 1928. An earthen dam at the southeast corner holds the lake back. The present dam dates to about 1897 and was rebuilt in 2022. Water leaves over the spillway into the South River, which flows on through Conway toward the Deerfield River.

The park sits on Main Street (Route 116), a short way east of the Route 112 junction and within walking distance of the village. The beach is at the southeast end of the lake, next to the tennis courts. It has its own small lot, and there is overflow parking across Main Street. A separate drive off Route 116 leads to the boat ramp and the upper picnic area. Parking is tight on summer weekends, and the town has asked visitors not to park along the road. Arrive early or come on a weekday.

The swim area is marked with buoys, and a dock is popular for diving. Beach season starts Memorial Day weekend. Lifeguards work weekends at first and then every day once school lets out. Guards watch only the swimmers inside the buoys, so anyone who wants to swim farther out should go in outside the roped area. Inflatables, noodles and boats must launch from the boat ramp and stay out of the buoyed area. Life jackets are allowed inside the buoys when a parent or guardian supervises. The beach has restrooms and a floating wheelchair, but you need to bring your own helper because guards on duty can't assist with it. When thunder is heard, guards clear the water until 30 minutes after the last rumble.

Swimming is free. The town lists no admission or parking fee. In July 2022 the Select Board and Parks Commission confirmed the beach is open to anyone, not just Ashfield residents, after a few residents argued the 1928 deed limited it to townspeople. Some older guides still say the beach is residents-only. That is out of date. The park's 2023 rules are headed "Where all are Welcome." Smoking, vaping, alcohol and glass are banned in the park. Dogs must be leashed and are not allowed on the beach, except service dogs. Fishing from the beach and the dock is prohibited.

The town has the water tested during the season. In August 2020 the beach closed for a week after a sample showed 608 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 milliliters, well above the state swimming limit of 235. It reopened once a retest came back clean. The town health agent said heavy rain after a dry spell washes sediment into the lake and can push bacteria up. The town has also checked the lake for blue-green algae. After a big storm, look for posted notices at the beach before you swim. The lake sits at about 1,250 feet, so expect cool water early in the season.

Beyond the beach, the park has picnic tables and grills both above the beach and in the upper park. Fires are allowed only in those grills. Canoes and kayaks put in at the boat ramp, and motors on the lake are limited to 5 horsepower, so the water stays quiet. Overnight parking and camping are not allowed. Ashfield residents get first priority for group reservations, which go through the Parks Commission.