A risk assessment will determine how much remediation is needed. Throughout the park, you will encounter a lake, a cave, forests, and breathtaking views. [7] Several old military buildings can be found on park property as well as an extensive network of abandoned railroad. State park in Massachusetts, United States, Black-and-white warbler in Wompatuck State Park, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, "THE LIST: What to know about Wompatuck State Park", "Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth", 10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2, "Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA District 1964-2016", "Demolition work will open up trails at Wompatuck State Park", "Bike trail to come to Wompatuck State Park", "Rep. Bradley secures free parking for Cohasset trail", Longfellow HouseWashington's Headquarters, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wompatuck_State_Park&oldid=1136502999, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Note: Municipalities not listed have a town meeting form of government (see, This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 17:11. You can find it in a shed with an adjacent parking area, on Union Street in the park, between markers E14 and E1, not far from the Transfer Station area. The Braintree T (train/subway/ferry) station is about 20 min from the . Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements. Land and water creatures abound in the park. Begun three years ago, the project to study and propose solutions for the contaminated area, about one to two acres, where the military disposed of old munitions and weapons materials during and after World War II, raises hope that all of the parkland property acquired by the state more than 40 years ago will finally be open to the public. In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. In addition to being open to the public for . The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. The state last estimated its bear population at between 4,000 and 4,500 - up from about 100 in the early 1970s. Families maintained woodlots to heat their homes. This section of the park, and many of the waterways elsewhere in the park, drain to the Aaron River, which flows northeast to the Aaron River Reservoir. Thus, there are no real designated loops outside of the 1-mile Heart Healthy Loop. Corps officials are studying a report received in May on the projects analysis of the contamination and a range of proposed solutions, which range from removing contaminated soil to simply posting warning signs and taking down the wire fence that bars people from the site, not far from the parks campground. Dogs Allowed. Hours: Sunrise to sunset, plus overnight camping with reservation. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. In addition, Accord Brook flows northward along the western edge of the park, eventually into Triphammer Pond. HINGHAM - Thirty-five years ago, visitors to Wompatuck State Park could still find open munitions storage bunkers and rusting barrels of toxic materials - remnants from a period when the military used the site to store ammunition and assemble explosives. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs also grow in abundance. 1941 Navy acquired the land for an ammunition depot. There are still descendants of these original inhabitants living on the South Shore today, and they are known as theMattakeesett Tribe of the Massachusett Indian Nation, theMassachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, andMashpee Wompanoag Tribe. This all came to an end in 1962. In 1966 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the Cohasset Annex property. But if you wandered off the trail, you might have a blast of another kind.. 42.2063963191386-70.8453369140625 13 satellite. The Little-Known Beach In Massachusetts You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 2-Mile Trail, This Secluded Cave In Massachusetts Is So Worthy Of An Adventure, The Easy And Enchanting Hike Everyone In Massachusetts Should Take This Winter, The East Head Pond Trail In Massachusetts Completely Transforms In The Winter Months, This Trail Leading To A Large Canyon Is Often Called The Grand Canyon Of Massachusetts, The One-Of-A-Kind Trail In Massachusetts With Arched Bridges And A River Is Quite The Hike, Theres A Glowing Pumpkin Trail Coming To Massachusetts And Itll Make Your Fall Magical, A Mysterious Woodland Trail In Massachusetts Will Take You To The Original Eyrie House Ruins, Abandoned States of America Facebook group. There are still bunkers all over the property, but most are locked up. In 2003, the DCR sold the land for the Cohasset commuter rail station and parking lot to the MBTA, in exchange for the construction of a rail trail on the former rail spur. You can read more abut camping at Wompatuck State Park here. Pin. People should be using it.. Wompatuck State Park is covered by the Cohasset, MA US Topo Map quadrant. If you need assistance, please Learn About DCR| Mass.gov. It is located within one mile of the ocean. It is fairly quiet with a significant amount of trails to explore. Turkey Hill is north of the park in Cohasset. In 2003, the DCR sold the land for the Cohasset commuter rail station and parking lot to the MBTA in exchange for the construction of a rail trail on the former rail spur. Site Number: K003. The land was originally the property of Native American chief Josiah Wompatuck, who deeded the land to English settlers in 1655. (214 South Street) I was able to follow the roads to the other area where there are more buildings. Wompatuck State Park comprises 3,000 acres of eastern transitional forest and various other habitats. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream. Among the most common are Swamp Azalea, Solomons Seal, While Geranium, ladies slipper, and Sheep Laurel. For this hike, you will also go outside the park to Triphammer Pond and Whitney & Thayer Woods. A rail spur known as the Whitney Spur formerly connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad's Greenbush Line. The farmers used the fields to graze their horses, sheep, and oxen. Tickets cost $6 - $11 and the journey takes 30 min. The 1.5mile long Whitney Spur Rail Trail was constructed in 2003 on land owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation from the MBTA Cohasset Commuter . it may still hold areas of intrest to the bunkergang. The U.S. Navy deactivated the Cohasset Annex and in 1963 the land was declared surplus by the Navy. What a treat!! Several routes around the area lead to the park, but the main entrance is located on Union Street. Please log in if you don't want to post The rail spur entered the ammunition depot at its northern boundary near Leavitt Street and served military warehouses, a cluster of which were in the area of the spur and Leavitt Street. Entering from the Leavitt Street cul-de-sac the route goes straight past trail marker NN3 uphill to marker NN11 and turns left. Scattered throughout Wompatuck State Park are remnants of bunkers, railroad tracks, fences, and light posts. 2000 ft. Map by Lars Ahlzen / FOW Data from OSM , MassGIS and USGS . During WWII and the Korean War, it served as an ammunitions depot for the U.S. military. Trail Map; This alternate and unofficial entrance to Wompatuck State Park is located on Prospect Street in Norwell, very close to the Hingham town line. That could range from a minimal cost to hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. park that's mostly in hingham, but jets out into parts of Norwell and Cohasset. Now a federal project to clean up the burning grounds at Wompatuck is expected to conclude a decades-long effort by the Army Corps of Engineers to resolve all the parks contamination issues dating to its history as an ammunition storage and weapons development site. brought back to life again :P, last time i was there biking most of them were sealed but i found about three way out of the way ones that were opend to pansy to go inside (i was by my self), Here's whats left (and theres not much) of the old Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex located in Wompatuck State Park. The park falls inside the area bound by land in Hingham and Norwell in the west, Hingham and Cohasset in the north, Cohasset and Scituate in the east and Norwell in the south. Accord Brook, which originates in Accord Pond, flows north along the parks border, from the Hingham-Norwell town line to S. Pleasant Street. Twelve miles of paved bicycle trails, in addition to miles of wooded bridle paths and hiking trails, offer lots of riding options. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs also grow in abundance. Prospect Hill, near the southwest corner of the park, is the highest point in Hingham at 240 above sea level. Informational kiosk, bench. View campsite map, availability, and reserve online with ReserveAmerica. I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. It stretches into four towns Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. The Wompatuck Trail is ADA accessible. Conservation and recreation officials, however, said the deteriorating military buildings pose significant safety concerns to the public. The Gulf River flows into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor. Norwell MA 02061, Phone: 781.659.8168 there is a huge ex-ammo depot up there, fenced but accessible very easily. Read more. Among the most common are swamp azalea, solomons seal, white geranium, ladies slipper, and sheep laurel. Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm. Take mass transit into the city. In 1969 the park opened for limited outdoor recreational use, and in 1973 it was dedicated as Wompatuck State Park. The Visitor Center is accessible from the Union Street entrance. For mountain bikers, the park is home to one of the longest section of switchbacked singletrack in the state. You can also join our Abandoned States of America Facebook group and share any of the photos you have. A lock icon ( Follow the paved trail to NN7 into Whitney and Thayer Woods. Blue Spring is open seasonally, featuring water drawn directly from a natural aquifer. While those sites have been judged safe for peacetime uses, the parks burning grounds still feel the fires of war. Many never returned. According to the website, there's 262 campsites (140 w/ electricity) though I can't comment on the camping since I have yet to camp here. This is an excellent alternative to the unofficial Prospect Street entrance, around the corner, which lacks sufficient parking. The red train shop was always my favorite spot anyway, good to see it's still around. Wompatuck State Park is popular state park south of Boston and the trails are popular with a variety of user groups. Each trail has a letter and number to help in navigating the trail system. The U.S. Navy deactivated the Cohasset Annex and in 1963 the land was declared surplus by the Navy. Don't worry, if you die.We'll make it. Also, the park contains the highest point in Hingham: Prospect Hill. Certain ruins can even be found along a trail in a forest preserve or state park, adding a certain level of spookiness to a hike. There are over 250 bird species in the park, including: blue jay, great blue heron, gosshawk, red tail hawk, yellow warbler, ruffed grouse, and quail. Compare 2,301 hotels, room rates, hotel reviews and availability. After years of requests, demolition of the buildings began in April 2014. The 1.5mile long Whitney Spur Rail Trail was constructed in 2003 on land owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation from the MBTA Cohasset Commuter . In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. This boulder which balances itself at three points equally distant from each other, was left on the earths surface by glaciers. Stroller-friendly in some sections. Blue Spring, Transfer Gate. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state, Read the rules for hunting in state parks. Park supervisor Steve Gammon, who has overseen the site since the 1970s, said, We would like to see the whole park opened.. You can find a map of Whitney and Thayer Woods Here, For a map of this route check out Mapy.cz. Fax: 781.659.7915 Since then, 725 acres have been added. The park has over 400 campsites and is a great place for hiking, biking, and fishing. However, they do run out frequently so it is best to print a map prior to leaving. 1h 18m. alot of lead experements, and at one time a piece of the manhatten project was worked on there. This vast expanse of woods was named for its prior owner, Josiah Wompatuck, who was chief of the Mattakeessett and grandson of Chief Chickatawbut. Wompatuck Trail Map. a recent history walk sponsored by FOW, Looking at a 1950s map of Wompatuck next to an old military bunker. This 3,500-acre Massachusetts state park served as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965. In 1986 the Park acquired an additional 600 acres from the government. The land was later granted back to the state of Massachusetts to create the state park. Geocache locations. Soon after it exits the pond, it flows into the Weir River. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of the most commonly used topographic maps of the U.S. called US Topo that are separated into rectangular quadrants that are printed at 22.75"x29" or larger. Close to the Norwell entrance to the park is the highest point in Hingham: Prospect Hill. For more Wompatuck history check out our newsletters. While we remain anxious to restore full use of that land, we want to continue to work with the Army Corps to ensure an environment that is safe to the public, said Reginald Zimmerman, a spokesman for the states Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages the park. In 1969, Wompatuck State Park opened to the public. In 2003, the DCR sold the land for the Cohasset commuter rail station and parking lot to the MBTA, in exchange for the construction of a rail trail on the former rail spur. The Aaron Reservoir Dam was constructed from 1976-1978. Wompatuck is quickly becoming recognized as an . The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. Ancillary Activities: Horses (permission may be required), Birding, Hunting (permission may be required), Camping (permission may be required), Snowmobiles, Historic Sites. The route continues on the road straight past NN10 and turns right onto a dirt trail. In addition, Accord Brook flows northward along the western edge of the park (including the section abutting Prospect Street), eventually into Triphammer Pond. Length: 3.9 mi Est. Campers may choose from an extensive array of trails for biking, hiking, horseback riding, and ski touring. You feel as though you are deep within a forest with intermittent areas of meadows and ponds. Distance. Historic site. 781-447-7223 | 242 Bedford St. Whitman MA 02382. . A large bunker with a loading dock off Union Street, known as N-9, was recently restored by three Eagle Scouts to preserve a piece of munitions history. Due to the number of trails, a map is necessary to explore the park. Many cement bunkers were constructed and the area became a huge munitions storage depot. Both park users and officials look forward to a time when the burning grounds will be declared safe and the closed area will be open. Take a right on Free St. at the lights. The Annex was known by locals as the Cohasset Annex. The Aaron River is relatively close to this entrance. Be on the lookout for a dirt path that goes downhill on the left-hand side. This rock, a remnant of the glacial period, balances itself at three points equally distant from each other. Located within the boundaries of four towns - Cohasset, Hingham, Norwell, and Scituate - Wompatuck State Park was once part of the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex, used from 1941 until 1965. old post . This park is the site of the Burbank Boulder. In 1941, the US Government purchased the land and expanded the perimeters by purchasing additional land from local families to develop a Navy ammunition depot. Inicio; Servicios. [5] Upland game bird hunting is allowed in season in the South Field area. If you are lucky, you may see a deer or fox. This entrance features occasional benches and interpretive signs. Yes, dogs are allowed in Wompatuck State Park. Eight to 10 acres were examined and then narrowed to the smaller, currently fenced-off site. Blue Spring was commercially bottled.When the Civil War broke out all the local men were swept into the fight. 19ms. In 1967 the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources purchased the 3496 acres to convert it to a public park. Like all land, Womaptuck State Park has a history. Wompatuck State Park spans 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. But before they were capped, youngsters would climb inside to hang out, play music, and sing. In 1655 he deeded the land we now call Hingham so that others . With no vehicle access, it is not recommended for those wishing to use the parks campground. Constant cracks and creeaks and I was on foot. We utilized this park as an economical . The loop trail connecting these two points to S11-S14 crosses the Aaron River twice. A low risk may warrant limited use controls - trails could go through the area, but no digging would be permitted, and signs would be posted to warn the general public not to disturb the soil. Other recommended hikes: Use the Wompy Web Map and click on the sandwich bar on the top right corner. While there is plenty of natural beauty to explore around the Bay State, there are also fascinating ruins to be found as well.

Mahalia Jackson Adopted Son John Sellers, Articles W