Wompatuck State Park

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Wompatuck State Park
Massachusetts State Park
Black-and-white Warbler in Wompatuck State Park
Named for: Indian chief Josiah Wompatuck
Country United States
State Massachusetts
Counties Plymouth, Norfolk
Towns Hingham, Cohasset, Norwell, Scituate
Elevation 131 ft (40 m) [1]
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. [1]
Area 3,579 acres (1,448 ha) [2]
Opened 1969 [3]
 - Dedicated 1973
Management Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
IUCN category V - Protected Landscape/Seascape
Location in Massachusetts
Website: Wompatuck State Park

Wompatuck State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area of about 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) in size located primarily in the town of Hingham with portions in the neighboring towns of Cohasset, Norwell, and Scituate, Massachusetts, in the United States. In addition to a large campground and an extensive trail system, the park is noted for the free spring water that can be obtained at Mt. Blue Spring, which has been in operation since the mid-19th century. The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation[4] and protects forests of the northeastern coastal forests ecoregion.[5]

History

The land was originally the property of Indian chief Josiah Wompatuck, who deeded the land to English Settlers in 1655. The park is built on the former Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex (known by natives as the "Cohasset Annex"), which was in use from 1941 until 1965. It contains over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, many of which have been backfilled, but some of which remain exposed, including one which housed parts of the Navy's first nuclear depth charge in the 1950s.[6] Several old military buildings can be found on park property as well as an extensive network of abandoned railroad. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements.

Activities and amenities

The park's campground offers 262 campsites, 140 of which have electrical service. Camping is open from mid-April until mid-October. A boat ramp allows access to Aaron River Reservoir for non-motorized boating. Park trails include 12 miles of paved bicycle routes as well as trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.[4] Upland game bird hunting is allowed in season in the South Field area.

An abandoned rail spur, linking the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad line, has been converted to a bicycle path, linking Wompatuck to the Cohasset Commuter Rail Station. Following demolition in 2014 of remnants of the park's military days, the trail was opened for use by bicycling commuters and park visitors.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Wompatuck_State_Park&oldid=722893411"