Historic site. But the conclusion of the burning grounds decontamination project will not by itself open the whole park to the public, the Friends say. Samples from the grounds will determine whether excavation is required. The hiking trails at Ames Nowell State Park are plentiful. Geocache locations. If you have, please let us know if you saw the abandoned buildings. Since then, 725 acres have been added. It is fairly quiet with a significant amount of trails to explore. I was able to locate all the areas that appear pn the satellite views. 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. In 1969, Wompatuck State Park opened to the public. In the 1700s early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. You will receive your first email soon. The state park was formerly a munitions depot during WWII. 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. Home / Hiking / Wompatuck State Park Grove Street Entrance (Norwell), https://www.mass.gov/locations/wompatuck-state-park. Maps are provided at many of the kiosks by the Friends of Wompatuck. There will be signs for Wompatuck State Park along the way. Pump Track multi-use trail ; Overview; Photos (1) Videos (0) Reports (8) Comments (0) Ride Logs; Leaderboard; Stats; Jumps; 3D Tour; Add / Edit. Days stayed: 5. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham is rated 8.2 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. You can read more abut camping at Wompatuck State Park here. You will cross the dam and reach a paved road. English settlers purchased the land from Wompatuck in 1655. . 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. This rock, a remnant of the glacial period, balances itself at three points equally distant from each other. See 1067 Places to Stay Near The Old Ordinary, MA | Quickly compare The Old Ordinary hotels, rentals, and more. + -. Campsite fee is $17/night for Mass . Dogs: Dogs must be leashed at all times. 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. Check out some of the older satt. Blue . PO Box 43 The brook continues north to Triphammer Pond and ultimately flows into the Weir River. Approximately 100,000 people visit the park each year. For this hike, you will also go outside the park to Triphammer Pond and Whitney & Thayer Woods. It should be open. Plymouth & Brockton operates a bus from Boston South Buses to Park & Ride Lot, Rte 3 & 228 hourly. Stroller-friendly in some sections. The road will take a deep turn to the left and the State Park will be on the right. Menu Back. However, a gate blocked access from the trail to the northwest section of the park, which still had several dangerous abandoned buildings. The park has over 400 campsites and is a great place for hiking, biking, and fishing. On January 1, 2004, a 125 acre parcel off of Leavitt Street was added to the park. For mountain bikers, the park is home to one of the longest sections of switchbacked singletrack in the state. 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. Its an excellent access point for a hike to the top of Prospect Hill. The episode led the 100-member Friends group to christen their annual bike race fund-raiser the Landmine Classic. Privacy Policy DisclaimerTerms and ConditionsAccessibility Statement, Fall In Love with Kanopolis Lake Hiking Trails Ellsworth, Kansas, Buffalo Track Canyon Trail Kanopolis State Park, Kansas, Hiking Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area- Hanson, MA, 3 Epic Hiking Trails in Myles Standish State Forest- Carver, MA, Cave-like shelter between N32 and N33 close to the missile test building, Stone paving circles used as a floor near the Aaron River Reservoir, Another cave-like shelter is located on the right-hand side of NS10 when entering from the northeast direction, It is also believed that Burbank Boulder at NS9 could be a Native American sacred perched boulder, Union Street and 100 on either side of the street, Doane Street (from the Cohasset gate to the power line). Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Water features include Cohassets Aaron River Reservoir which was created by damming the Aaron which flows east from Holly Pond. Looking for some of the best hotels in Accord? There are several old military buildings on the property, as well as an abandoned railroad. Most of it was never developed or utilized until the 1800s when families began using the land to graze their farm animals and harvest woodlots. This 3,500-acre Massachusetts state park served as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. It stretches into four towns Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell. The dam that holds the reservoir in place was constructed from 1976-1978. There are ponds for fishing, and hunting is permitted in season. Difficulty (Grade/Surface): Easy, Moderate An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Inside the park along Union St - afterpark entrance,Visitor Center area,Orchard Triangle,Transfer Station, Mt Blue Spring and MtBlue Stgate. [8] The station opened with the rest of the Greenbush Line on October 31, 2007. In 1969 the park opened for limited outdoor recreational use, and in 1973 it was dedicated as Wompatuck State Park. This area was known as the Cohasset Annex. 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. If you want to see the exterior on Bunker N-9 continue of the drivable road about a quarter mile past the visitor center and on the right is the restored bunker a little off the street. 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. Blue Spring . 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. Please log in if you don't want to post Hours: Sunrise to sunset, plus overnight camping with reservation. I was slightly irritated when I first looked at the state park trail map because I did not want to hike in an area where I would need to pull out my map so frequently. The state park's well-equipped campgrounds feature hundreds of campsites. Love Massachusetts? One of Wompy's trails leads right into Whitney Thayer, and covering both areas on the same day would make for a very lengthy ride. those are great photos. Some motor pool and factory buildings remain north-north-east but the asbestos abatement has reduced them to mere hulks. This left most of the land untouched until 1941. The Gulf River flows into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor. The nice thing about this park is that there is an abundance of trail types from wide paved paths to dirt and rocky hiking trails to choose from. 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. 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. [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]. There are 12 miles of paved bike paths, plus off-road trails for hiking, dog walking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. 100,000 Approximate number of people visiting the park each year. Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. Other major rivers are Aaron River and Bound Brook which originate near the Norwell border and flow east along Hinghams borders with Norwell and Scituate into Aaron River Reservoir. Wednesday: 9:00am-5:00pm 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 . Conservation and recreation officials, however, said the deteriorating military buildings pose significant safety concerns to the public. Cleaning up contamination resulting from ammunition and fuel storage and disposal has been a long story for the park, Boles said. In 1655, Chief Josiah Wompatuck, leader of the tribe, deeded the land, we now call Hingham and Cohasset, to the settlers from England. A lock icon ( This park is the site of the Burbank Boulder. Camping is open from mid-April until mid-October. Land and water creatures abound in the park. Explosives such as TNT loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored along with the assembly of rocket motors. Stroller-friendly in some sections. Thanks for the info, we'll just have to add it to our ever growing list. The railroad tracks fan out throughout the property from what is now known as the Whitney Spur Rail Trail at the northwest corner of the park. Email: info@nsrwa.org, Public Office Hours: The Friends of Wompatuck have made it a little easier to navigate with a downloadable map on your device that has a GPS locator. The road continues to the right past another foundation and follows a trail to the right. In 1941, the United States government established the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex (known by locals as the Cohasset Annex). The Aaron River finds its source within Wompatuck State Park and flows northeast to the Aaron River Reservoir. Get Directions . DCR maintains the former Navy ammunition depot annex where old bunkers and the remains of an extensive railroad are still evident. The streams powered Stockbridge Mill, which was used to make shingles. Explosives such as TNT loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored along with the assembly of rocket motors. The trail leads to a paved road, which is Leavitt Street, at marker NN12. Leavitt Street, which continues into Doane Street and into Cohassets Beechwood area. Soon after it exits the pond, it flows into the Weir River. The park itself opened in 1969. with this post, location or person. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 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. REGIONAL TOURISM COUNCILS GREATER BOSTON CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU 1 888-733-2678 wwwBostonUSAcom NORTH OF BOSTON CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU 2 978-465-6555 northofbostonorg anyways you go in through the main gate and then the first parking area on the left is the trailhead to the old buildings that are left.. you gotta jump a fence now, I was there last week and they fixed the opening that had been there since i started going there.. just follow the old roads to get around and theres also some nice old rail lines to follow. The land was originally the property of Native American chief Josiah Wompatuck, who deeded the land to English settlers in 1655. The materials disposed of consist of small arms ammunition, machine gun bullets, flares, incendiaries, irritants (gases), and grenades, Charette said. 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. Being adjacent to the rail access point to the Ammunition Depot Annex, the area features remnants to many depot structures and abandoned railroad tracks fanning out from the spur track. The rest of the park contains a great many hiking trails. Wompatuck State Park Grove Street Entrance (Norwell), Count Fish Online South River, Marshfield, Dumpster Maintenance and Waste Materials Checklist. Blue Street, Norwell. I prefer the dirt, but the occasional walk along the pavement was also welcoming. There are numerous woodland trails within the park for hiking, dog-walking, horseback riding, cycling, and cross-country skiing. A rail spur known as the Whitney Spur formerly connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad's Greenbush Line. Alternatively, MBTA operates a train from South Station to Nantasket Junction every 2 hours. 1941 Navy acquired the land for an ammunition depot. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. The nearly 3,600-acre park contains more than 110 now-filled storage bunkers, including - according to the sites historians - one that housed parts of the Navys first nuclear depth charge. 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. Streams powered the Stockbridge Shingle Mill and water from Mt. However, they do run out frequently so it is best to print a map prior to leaving. Accessible. From there Bound Brook flows north along the Cohasset-Scituate border to Cohasset Harbor. Blue Spring was commercially bottled.When the Civil War broke out all the local men were swept into the fight. Here you can locate several hikes that will also provide a GPS navigator. Good to see there's still something there. Save on popular stays in Accord, Hingham from NT$3,233. During WWII and the Korean War, it served as an ammunitions depot for the U.S. military. This section was opened to the public in 2014. We said if you rode the race, you had a blast, Bill Boles, president of the Friends of Wompatuck, said of the fund-raising event. There are 12 miles of paved biking trails in the park, and many more miles . Throughout the park, you will encounter a lake, a cave, forests, and breathtaking views. You can also download the Wompy map onto your phone which provides a GPS locator and map. The tall trees were used for masts and stone walls were built to denote survey and boundary lines. This entrance features a new ADA trail that connects via a boardwalk and a crushed stone pathway to established trails within the park. Fax: 781.659.7915 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 the Orange line to State Street, exit at the Old State House, follow the Freedom Trail to Faneuil Hall. Look for the entrance diagonally across the street from the Hornstra Farm sign on Grove Street. The sites concrete munitions storage bunkers, some designed with loading docks, were filled and closed by the Corps. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed, and are open to the elements. In their absence, the land was not utilized and the forest started to reclaim it. Blue Spring, which has been in operation since the mid-19th century. 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. Wednesday: 9:00am-5:00pm The dam that holds the reservoir in place was constructed from 1976-1978. | Nightly rate: $30. Primarily located in Hingham, Massachusetts, Wompatuck State Park also extends into the nearby towns of Cohasset, Norwell, and Scituate. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham: See 119 reviews, articles, and 40 photos of Wompatuck State Park, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 20 attractions in Hingham. 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 Wompatuck Trail is ADA accessible. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements. Today the parks munitions storage history survives in events such as the Landmine Classic bike race, which passes through an area once thought to have the explosive devices. This is an excellent alternative to the unofficial Prospect Street entrance, around the corner, which lacks sufficient parking. Land and water creatures abound in the park. Among the most common are Swamp Azalea, Solomons Seal, While Geranium, ladies slipper, and Sheep Laurel. If you need assistance, please Learn About DCR| Mass.gov. Follow the paved trail to NN7 into Whitney and Thayer Woods. Visit Massachusetts State Parks Locations, Snowmobile Trails in State Parks Locations, Includes level, packed-surface campsite, pedestal grill, accessible picnic table. A rail spur, the Whitney Spur, once connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroads Greenbush Line. Such great history!!! 42.2063963191386-70.8453369140625 13 satellite. Kies je ideale hotel met behulp van onze handige zoekfilters, onze kaart en hotelbeoordelingen. Typically, the Mt. 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. The Visitor Center is accessible from the Union Street entrance. Circa 1617, there was a major outbreak of disease from European settlers that decimated an estimated 90% of the native population in New England, including the Massachusett and Wampanoag tribes that inhabited this area. iam gointo do do some traveling there soon, because its been so long and the last time i was there i . We've since visited many, MANY other state parks in various states and can say with certainty that Wompatuck is a winner. At this time, the agency is reviewing these concerns and is also exploring possible alternatives that would establish recreational access while being cost-effective, Zimmerman said. Save on popular stays in Accord, Hingham from 138,946. It has multiple entrances in each of these places. Recommended Trail Activities: Running, Walking, Hiking, Trail Biking It is a wonderful place to spend a weekend exploring. The ammo dumps (bunkers) are to the north and east and have been completely destroyed. While those sites have been judged safe for peacetime uses, the parks burning grounds still feel the fires of war. 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. 43 reviews of Wompatuck State Park "Wompatuck State Park is a huge (something like 4000 acre?) Email: info@nsrwa.org, Public Office Hours: Scattered throughout the property are over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, which were used to store ammunition. Not all maps have been updated to include this entrance. Explosives such as TNT-loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses . The area of the Leavitt Street entrance is characterized by Leavitt Street and the Whitney Spur Rail Trail. Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm. It turns east into the park and flows north into and beyond Triphammer Pond and into the Weir River. The Aaron River is relatively close to this entrance. There are several hills to explore, boulders to be amazed by, and areas along the waters edge to soak up Wompatucks natural beauty. For more Wompatuck history check out our newsletters. Explosives such as TNT-loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored here. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs also grow in abundance. The Wompy map also provides information about areas to visit within the park and highlights several of the mountain bike trails. (214 South Street) Sounds a bit more legal than bolt cutters. Hingham, with its immaculately preserved homes from a bygone era lining Main Street, Central Street and the town center, seems worlds away from nuclear ammunition, bunkers and machine gun shells. In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. Trees include Atlantic white cedar, American holly, chestnut oak, shagbark hickory, mountain laurel, pink dogwood, white pine, American beech, and hemlock some estimated to be 175 years old. Below the dam, the river continues to flow through Cohasset. From what I could see through the door it might be two rooms? The sites are mostly wooded and spacious. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Massachusetts: 33 reviews, 24 photos, & 8 tips from fellow RVers. Several routes around the area lead to the park, but the main entrance is located on Union Street. the pictures up here are amazing, but they dont do the place justice. The ammunition depot closed in 1965 allowing the State of Massachusetts to purchase the land. 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. In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. 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. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. What a treat!! Excerpts taken from the composition created by Eagle Scout, Adam IgnatiusCarll, 1997. 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. Scattered throughout the property are over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, which were used to store ammunition. Overall Rating. new york state standard deduction 2022; Sign Up. Parking: Limited; heed posted signs regarding parking as the school bus uses the circle for turning around and police will ticket drivers parked during school hours Dog Restrictions: Allowed Explore South Shore Art Center when you travel to Cohasset. Thank you for your website feedback! Wompatuck State Park mountain bike trail map. There are 12 miles of paved bike paths, plus off-road trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. In 1966 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the Cohasset Annex property. Take mass transit into the city. giving a history tour of Wompy, Walking though the park during A few other pics from the Annex from this spring. embed Pump Track trail on your website; By Hornblower7 . Follow the red and yellow trail until the yellow trail takes a sharp left- take that, Follow the yellow trail until the blue trail intersects on the left, The blue trail will break off into a side trail on the left- follow this to Bigelow Boulder, At Bigelow Boulder there will be a 5-way intersection- continue on the trail closest to the blue but on your right side (not the blue trail), Continue this trail through the yellow/blue intersection and through the yellow intersection, It will lead to Rooster Rock and Odens Den, Follow the trail until it intersects with the yellow trail then take a left at the yellow trail, You will follow this until you get to NS7 and back into Wompatuck State Park, Take NS9 to Burbank Boulder then bear left to continue onto trail NS3, Follow the reservoir edge in a counterclockwise direction, The trail will lead to a paved trail take right onto paved trail, Park in the parking lot across the road from the Visitor Center. In addition, Accord Brook flows northward along the western edge of the park, eventually into Triphammer Pond. 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. While there is plenty of natural beauty to explore around the Bay State, there are also fascinating ruins to be found as well. 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 . The Wompatuck Trail, accessible from the Main entrance in Hingham, is ADA accessible. Prospect Hill, near the southwest corner of the park, is the highest point in Hingham at 240 above sea level.