Located on Yacht Club Drive, a camp-style, dirt road, heavily shaded with trees in Auburn, is perhaps one of the Twin Cities’ best kept secrets. Where the trees open at the drive’s end, visitors are greeted by an open stretch of Taylor Pond. Welcome to Taylor Pond Yacht Club.

On a day of blue skies and soft breeze, the sight alone invites a deep, relaxing sigh. A small, sandy beach to the right is fringed with a green, rolling lawn dotted with picnic tables. Along the shoreline are spots of shade for those who enjoy relaxation out of the sun.

Three docks are available to swimmers. One is designed for younger beach-goers; another is located in slightly deeper water, and the third is anchored furthest out for more advanced swimmers. A long wharf is located off the main clubhouse and is separate from the swimming area for motorized watercraft and fishing.

Sand toys are available on the beach for all children’s use; it is membership courtesy that toys are picked up before leaving the club. Not far from the sand is storage dedicated for members wishing to keep kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards on site.

The area also features two clubhouses, one for adults and children with adult supervision and a smaller one designed specifically for the kids. The larger clubhouse offers two small bathrooms, a kitchen with a stove, sink, counter space, and cupboards, a large activity room and a screened deck with tables and chairs overlooking the water. The kids’ clubhouse has both fooseball and ping pong tables. Again, membership courtesy keeps the clubhouses clean and ready for all members to use. Set back from the clubhouses and beach are the tennis courts and an area for sailboats used by the club for lessons.

Kathy Lawrence, a club volunteer, said, “We are very family friendly and always looking for new families to join. We offer tennis, sailing, and swimming for children and adults [non-members may also take lessons] and almost every Sunday we have sailing races.” She added that the club hosts special holiday events and social gatherings throughout the summer including barbeques, marshmallow roasts, and regattas.

And the fun doesn’t have to end after Labor Day. According to Lawrence, there are trails available for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.

“And the pond can be used for ice skating if it is not snow covered,” she said, reminding that the road is not plowed in the off-season; members would have to park outside the gate and hike in.

Membership is easy. Applications can be accessed on the website, http:/taylorpondyachtclub.com. Rates are reasonable. The site also includes information on lessons as well as a calendar of events.

With membership, even if you work all day, Taylor Pond is close enough for a quick slice of summer. Enjoy a supper picnic and a quick dip and still be home in plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the evening.