One would hope this [the project] is coming to the end of a very long process, Boles said. The route turns right on the rail trail and left onto a road with an open area on the right after the turn. People should be using it.. 6 ft. . Wednesday: 9:00am-5:00pm I can comment on the 10+ miles of paved bicycle trails- gorgeous! In the 1700s early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. 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. The 1.4 mile route begins at the entrance at the end of Leavitt Street and loops around the northwest corner of Wompatuck park, an area that abuts the Whitney Spur Rail Trail. [9] The 1.5-mile (2.4km) Whitney Spur Rail Trail opened from the station to the park around the same time. According to a former supervisor of Wompatuck, there are three sites in Wompatuck State Park which are believed to have been used by Indigenous people. Parking: There are water spigots throughout the campground. Also, the park contains the highest point in Hingham: Prospect Hill. ! The feedback will only be used for improving the website. To use the map, click the drop down menu in the upper right corner of the map: 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 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 Rail Station parking lot to Wompatuck State Park. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. THERE IS A $4.50 NON-REFUNDABLE TRANSACTION CHARGE FOR EACH RESERVATION MADE. The picture-perfect community has much green space, a good amount of which was once under the . Wompatuck State Park, or `Wompy' as most locals refer to it, offers an extremely varied riding experience to area mountain bikers. Wompatuck State Park is located in eastern Massachusetts, just half an hour south of Boston. 42.2063963191386-70.8453369140625 13 satellite. If youre looking for a smooth ride, check out the paved Whitney Spur Rail Trail. According to the parks historians, the Navy also tested missile parts there in the early years of the Cold War and experimented with rocket fuels. 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. Because there are no designated loops the ideal way to tackle Wompatuck State Park is to look at a map before leaving and find points that you might like to see along the way. This all came to an end in 1962. These natives grew crops, foraged, hunted, and fished in the Assinippi and North River areas. Maps are provided at many of the kiosks by the Friends of Wompatuck. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham is rated 8.2 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. 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. Blue Spring, Transfer Gate. Each varies in length from 1 mile to 25 miles. In 1966 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the Cohasset Annex property. PO Box 43 Whether youre bringing a tent, R.V., or trailer, you'll find plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors. Season: Any time between late spring and late fall. Reply #3 on: April 29, 2004, 02:54:39 PM . Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. From route 3 take exit 35 heading north on route 228. Follow the path along Triphammer Pond. This 3,500-acre Massachusetts state park served as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965. Wompatuck State Park Prospect Street/Norwell Entrance, Count Fish Online South River, Marshfield, Dumpster Maintenance and Waste Materials Checklist, Mattakeesett Tribe of the Massachusett Indian Nation. Common species include: muskrat, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, painted turtle, bullfrog, coyote, deer, bobcat, fisher cat, red & grey fox, yellow spotted salamander, yellow spotted turtle, and box turtle. Common species include: muskrat, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, painted turtle, bullfrog, coyote, deer, bobcat, fisher cat, red & grey fox, yellow spotted salamander, yellow spotted turtle, box turtle, woodcock, bass, pickerel and sunfish. 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. Before that can happen, another restricted area no longer in federal hands must be restored to public use. REGIONAL TOURISM COUNCILS GREATER BOSTON CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU 1 888-733-2678 wwwBostonUSAcom NORTH OF BOSTON CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU 2 978-465-6555 northofbostonorg . This all came to an end in 1962. ely funeral home neptune, nj; longest nfl game weather delay; cari laque bio; Online Forms. English settlers purchased the land from Wompatuck in 1655. Ancillary Activities: Horses (permission may be required), Birding, Hunting (permission may be required), Camping (permission may be required), Snowmobiles, Historic Sites. Find Wompatuck State Park camping, campsites, cabins, and other lodging options. old post . 3,526 acres, 262 wooded campsites, 12 miles of paved bicycle trails. The U.S. Navy deactivated the Cohasset Annex in 1963 and declared the land as surplus. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the land in 1966, and began developing it as a public park the following year. Some motor pool and factory buildings remain north-north-east but the asbestos abatement has reduced them to mere hulks. Thus, any way you choose will be a great hike. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. 43 reviews of Wompatuck State Park "Wompatuck State Park is a huge (something like 4000 acre?) white dog with black eye patch names; southside legend strain certified; birmingham legion fc players salary. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Habitats include semiconserved oak-conifer transitional forest, hemlock groves, ponds, palustrine wooded swamps and early successional shrubland. 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. The U.S. Navy deactivated the Cohasset Annex and in 1963 the land was declared surplus by the Navy. The U.S. Navy deactivated the Cohasset Annex in 1963 and declared the land surplus. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the land in 1966, and began developing it as a public park the following year. The tall trees were used for masts and stone walls were built to denote survey and boundary lines. could not find your e-mail or password. Samples from the grounds will determine whether excavation is required. Compare 2,301 hotels, room rates, hotel reviews and availability. Walking though the park during a recent history walk sponsored by FOW Looking at a 1950s map of Wompatuck next to an old military bunker . In 1986 the Park acquired an additional 600 acres from the government. You will receive your first email soon. The farmers used the fields to graze their horses, sheep, and oxen. You will find Eastern White Pine, Hemlock, Maple, Oak, Cedar, Birch, and many more types of trees. But before they were capped, youngsters would climb inside to hang out, play music, and sing. Wompatuck State Park spans 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. 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. 451 trails on an interactive map of the trail network. The park itself opened in 1969. The land at Wompatuck State Park was commonly used by the Massachusett tribe, led by Chief Josiah Wompatuck. - Trail Map (PDF) - Recommended Spring '22 Hikes (PDF) Season: Camping Season is mid-May through mid-October. As always, let's all help to maintain and preserve this park by not littering and treating this natural area with care. View Location View Map. Read more. anonymously (anonymous users cannot post links). Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream. with this post, location or person. In their absence, the land was not utilized and the forest started to reclaim it. In 1655 he deeded the land we now call Hingham so that others . Wompatuck State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area of about 3,500 acres (1,400ha) 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. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Explore South Shore Art Center when you travel to Cohasset. Campers may choose from an extensive array of trails for biking, hiking, horseback riding, and ski touring. Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. Acquired by the state in 1967, the park offers some 40 miles of wooded mountain bike and hiking trails, 12 miles of paved bicycle trails, more than 250 campsites, and open water for boating and fishing. as the gemtlemen said ina previous post be careful how far you poke around you may run into some bad stuff. Yes, dogs are allowed in Wompatuck State Park. Once on N11, turn right to stay on N11. Kies je ideale hotel met behulp van onze handige zoekfilters, onze kaart en hotelbeoordelingen. 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. 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. 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. The loop trail connecting these two points to S11-S14 crosses the Aaron River twice. Wompatuck State Park comprises 3,000 acres of eastern transitional forest and various other habitats. Eight to 10 acres were examined and then narrowed to the smaller, currently fenced-off site. By Steve Maas Globe Correspondent,August 22, 2013, 12:00 a.m. Ann and Ray Coughlan of Quincy visited the ammunition depot museum at Bare Cove Park in Hingham earlier this summer. images and you can see alot has been knocked down over the years. Most hotels are fully refundable. Robert Knox can be reached at rc.knox2@gmail.com. It turns east into the park and flows north into and beyond Triphammer Pond and into the Weir River. I can comment on the 10+ miles of paved bicycle trails- gorgeous! Additional parking at the Main Entrance, Leavitt Street in Hingham, and Doane Street in Cohasset. English settlers purchased the land from Wompatuck in 1655. Scattered throughout the property are over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, which were used to store ammunition. This land that we call Wompatuck State Park was originally the property of the Indian chief Josiah Wompatuck. Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company. iam gointo do do some traveling there soon, because its been so long and the last time i was there i . It remained in use until 1965, and served both World War II and the Korean Conflict. Some cool old bunkers (unfortunately some graffiti - seems like it is a trend around the area to tag historical stuff - such a shame) Date of experience: March 2020 Ask debbies556 about Wompatuck State Park it is quite spread out and goes on for miles. Water from Mt. In 1986 the Park acquired an additional 600 acres from the government. Since then, 725 acres have been added. While those sites have been judged safe for peacetime uses, the parks burning grounds still feel the fires of war. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. The Wompatuck State Park Big Loop Trail is 10.3 miles and rated as moderate with an overall elevation gain of 544 feet. The Whitney Spur Rail Trail was built as part of the Greenbush Commuter Rail reconstruction project in 2003. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed, including one which housed parts of the Navys first nuclear depth charge in the 1950s. It has stands of White Atlantic cedar, American holly, chestnut oak, shag bark hickory, mountain laurel, pink dogwood, white pine, American Beech, and hemlock, some estimated to be 175 years old. Wil je graag in de buurt van Accord verblijven? Typically, the Mt. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. It remained in use until 1965, and served both World War II and the Korean Conflict. you will need a lock pick or cutter to get in but thats doable. It has stands of White Atlantic cedar, American holly, chestnut oak, shagbark hickory, mountain laurel, pink dogwood, white pine, American Beech, and hemlock, some estimated to be 175 years old. its amazing how nature takes back abandoned buildings and spaces in no time. Half the sites have electricity and half do not. [11] With the trail now serving as usable access to the park, 20 spaces in the station lot were dedicated for park users.[12][13]. Wompy's trails can be wet in early spring. The easiest way to access union street is to exit off of MA-228 onto Middle Street, which turns into Union Street. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements. Below the dam, the river continues to flow on to Lilly (formerly Scituate) Pond. The park itself opened in 1969. 110+ underground bunkers stored munitions. [7] Several old military buildings can be found on park property as well as an extensive network of abandoned railroad. The rail spur connected the two sites by way of the Greenbush Rail Line. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. Find cheap hotels near Verizon Authorized Retailer - GoWireless in Plymouth County with real guest reviews and ratings. For mountain bikers, the park is home to one of the longest section of switchbacked singletrack in the state. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The park has over 400 campsites and is a great place for hiking, biking, and fishing. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs also grow in abundance. Our main concern is public safety, he said. The park features numerous seasonal campsites, plus fishing and non-motorized boating on the Aaron River Reservoir. . You will come to the Whitney Spur Rail Trail at marker NN7. It is fairly quiet with a significant amount of trails to explore. Its helpful to know that the trail from the parking lot leads to marker S27. The land at Wompatuck State Park originally belonged to Wampanoag chief Josiah Wompatuck. Firewood must be purchased at the campground. We will use this information to improve this page. Access to the Boston public rail system was convenient and provided access to many parts of the Boston area. It joins with Brass Kettle Brook and eventually empties into the Gulf River in North Scituate. it is a wonderful place . Common species include: muskrat, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, painted turtle, bullfrog, coyote, deer, bobcat, fisher cat, red & grey fox, yellow spotted salamander, yellow spotted turtle, box turtle, woodcock, bass, pickerel and sunfish. . I'm sorry to point out that this is incorrect but not far off. Wompatuck Trail Map. Love Massachusetts? Tweet. Wompatuck State Park is one of the closest campgrounds to Boston, where you can find a weekend getaway and get back to nature without having to travel too far. The sites are: Read the full Friends of Wompatuck Newsletter to learn more about Native American stonework in Eastern Massachusetts. Union Street, the main road through the park, begins in Hingham and extends south, all the way through the park, becoming Mount Blue Street as it enters Norwell. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Massachusetts: 33 reviews, 24 photos, & 8 tips from fellow RVers. hookup & dumping. Many cement bunkers were constructed and the area became a huge ammunitions storage depot. Menu Back. There are 12 miles of paved bike paths, plus off-road trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Park at the lot across from the visitor center. The hiking trails at Ames Nowell State Park are plentiful. The road loops past 2 trails on the right and another building foundation at trail marker NN10. There are several hills to explore, boulders to be amazed by, and areas along the waters edge to soak up Wompatucks natural beauty. There will be signs for Wompatuck State Park along the way. Other Hingham entrances . Originating at Accord Pond it flows along the southwest boundary of the park near Prospect Street north to South Pleasant St. The rest of the park contains a great many hiking trails. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state, Read the rules for hunting in state parks. Fax: 781.659.7915 Don't worry, if you die.We'll make it. The path will connect to N11 again. On the south residential property north of Mount Hope Street west of Mount Blue Street and north of Grove Street in Norwell form the boundary. Explosives such as TNT loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored along with the assembly of rocket motors. alot of lead experements, and at one time a piece of the manhatten project was worked on there. 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 . Park trails include 12 miles of paved bicycle routes as well as trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. The area of the Leavitt Street entrance is characterized by Leavitt Street and the Whitney Spur Rail Trail. Below the dam, the river continues to flow through Cohasset. Date of experience . 2000 ft. Map by Lars Ahlzen / FOW Data from OSM , MassGIS and USGS . Trails in Wompatuck State Park consist of wide non-motorized paved roads, paved bike paths, and dirt foot trails. Outside the parktrail/gate entrances -Rt3A Cohasset Rail Station toWhitney Spur trail, and Doane St, Cohasset gate. Wompatuck State Park Trails is a 10.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Hingham, MA that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Another option is to create your own hike. Explosives such as TNT-loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored here. Federal engineers also discovered the land mine area of suspected unexploded ordnance buried near a bike trail, Boles said. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed, and are open to the elements. In 1969, Wompatuck State Park opened to the public. The ammunition depot closed in 1965 allowing the State of Massachusetts to purchase the land. 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. The land itself feels lush and magical. Parking Take a right on Free St. at the lights. This section was opened to the public in 2014. During the 1800s, families maintained woodlots to heat their homes. Wompatuck State Park Trail Map; Wompatuck State Park Trail Reports; Share. Nightly rate: $30. If you love abandoned places, you can read about Dogtown, a ghost town-turned-park in Gloucester, Massachusetts. View campsite map, availability, and reserve online with ReserveAmerica. All the other bunkers I've seen over there are just one room but maybe they have some special setup for special cases. The park lies largely in the town of Hingham, but also touches parts of Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate. Thanks for the info, we'll just have to add it to our ever growing list. Your comment is Scoop the poop! Some motor pool and factory buildings remain north-north-east but the asbestos abatement has reduced them to mere hulks. Throughout the park, you will encounter a lake, a cave, forests, and breathtaking views. Historic site. Wompatuck bunkers. 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. For information on the Wompatuck State Park Big Loop Trail, head to the AllTrails website. | The dam that holds the reservoir in place was constructed from 1976-1978. The 1.5-mile Whitney Spur Rail Trail now connects the Cohasset MBTA station to Wompatuck State Park. A section of railroad, the Whitney Spur, once connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroads Greenbush Line. There are several old military buildings on the property, as well as an abandoned railroad. park that's mostly in hingham, but jets out into parts of Norwell and Cohasset. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A boat ramp allows access to Aaron River Reservoir for non-motorized boating. Because there are 40 miles of trails on 3500 acres, there are many intersections. It stretches into four towns Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell. Hingham Historical Society Presents a Waves of Change Presentation:Lasting Imprints of WWI and WWII:Bare Cove Park and WompatuckCamp Hingham and the Munition. In addition to being open to the public for . The park features approximately 400 seasonal campsites, plus fishing, non-motorized boating and seasonal ice skating on the Aaron River Reservoir. Thus, there are no real designated loops outside of the 1-mile Heart Healthy Loop. Like all land, Womaptuck State Park has a history. In 1941, the U.S. Navy acquired from private landowners all of the property in order to expand the already existing Hingham Naval Ammunitions Depot. It is a wonderful place to spend a weekend exploring. Accessible. Wompatuck State Park Trails. Norwell MA 02061, Phone: 781.659.8168 If you have, please let us know if you saw the abandoned buildings. Wompatuck State Park spans 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. Prospect Hill, near the southwest corner of the park, is the highest point in Hingham at 240 above sea level. The park features numerous seasonal campsites, plus fishing and non-motorized boating on the Aaron River Reservoir. There are still bunkers all over the property, but most are locked up. There is one campground at Wompatuck State park with 260 sites. The 1.5-mile Whitney Spur Rail Trail now connects the Cohasset MBTA station to Wompatuck State Park. Still some cool things to shoot, http://www.state.ma.us/dem/parks/womp.htm, Quote from: sewerRat21 on March 17, 2012, 12:47:00 PM, Quote from: Villain on March 17, 2012, 02:12:50 PM.