The trail system is well marked and the trail map is a very good representation of the park. Overall, Wompatuck State Park is a beautiful wooded location nestled close to Boston. Campers may choose from an extensive array of trails for biking, hiking, horseback riding, and ski touring. Its helpful to know that the trail from the parking lot leads to marker S27. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Never enough time. Habitats include semiconserved oak-conifer transitional forest, hemlock groves, ponds, palustrine wooded swamps and early successional shrubland. The Annex was connected to the Ammunition Depot on the Back River, at what is now Bare Cove Park by railroad. 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. Project manager Carol Ann Charette said that after munitions and diesel fuel were burned and disposed of, the residue was buried in spots that were then bulldozed, spreading some contaminants over an area of several acres. Check out these highly recommended hotels in Accord for 2023! The Aaron Reservoir Dam was constructed from 1976-1978. Also, the park contains the highest point in Hingham: Prospect Hill. To get there, follow the trail from Marker S32 to S33 to S 34, and then onward to S3 and S4. That could range from a minimal cost to hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. It should be open. 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. It remained in use until 1965, and served both World War II and the Korean Conflict. It is very peaceful and since Womaptuck has been a state park since 1969, many of the trees have been allowed to grow tall and large. Blue Spring was commercially bottled.When the Civil War broke out all the local men were swept into the fight. However, a gate blocked access from the trail to the northwest section of the park, which still had several dangerous abandoned buildings. Water features include Cohassets Aaron River Reservoir which was created by damming the Aaron which flows east from Holly Pond. You cant beat that. Blue . The farmers used the fields to graze their horses, sheep, and oxen. Wompatuck State Park has 262 wooded campsites; 140 of them offer electricity. Other recommended hikes: Use the Wompy Web Map and click on the sandwich bar on the top right corner. 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. Many are intended for mountain bikes, but are also ideal for hiking. . 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. The Gulf River flows into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor. Still some stuff there, but you can see that they are systematically taking it all down. This map is centered on the presently in-use state park camping area. 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. Please log in if you don't want to post Get more stories delivered right to your email. Days stayed: 5. Wompatuck State Park $17 for MA resident / $54 for non-resident; PLUS $6 electric hookups (if applicable). Good to see there's still something there. Water from Mt. 1665 Chief Josiah Wompatuck deeded the land to settlers. 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. Approximately 100,000 people visit the park each year. The newest (2022) access point to Wompatuck State Park! 451 trails on an interactive map of the trail network. Trails in Wompatuck State Park consist of wide non-motorized paved roads, paved bike paths, and dirt foot trails. Throughout the park, you will encounter a lake, a cave, forests, and breathtaking views. 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. 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. Leavitt Street, which continues into Doane Street and into Cohassets Beechwood area. Book Plymouth County Weir River Farm hotels and get the lowest price guranteed by Trip.com! There are numerous woodland trails within the park for hiking, dog-walking, horseback riding, cycling, and cross-country skiing. This vast expanse of woods was named for its prior owner, Josiah Wompatuck, who was chief of the Mattakeessett and grandson of Chief Chickatawbut. 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. alot of lead experements, and at one time a piece of the manhatten project was worked on there. When the state restored the Greenbush line, local mitigation for building a new Cohasset station included constructing a rail trail from the station through the Whitney Thayer Woods to Wompatuck. 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. But if you wandered off the trail, you might have a blast of another kind.. ely funeral home neptune, nj; longest nfl game weather delay; cari laque bio; Online Forms. Save on popular stays in Accord, Hingham from 138,946. Park trails include 12 miles of paved bicycle routes as well as trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. 2023 North & South Rivers Watershed Association. The spring was closed when we were there and we did not explore the park much. The land was later granted back to the state of Massachusetts to create the state park. The U.S. Navy deactivated the Cohasset Annex and in 1963 the land was declared surplus by the Navy. A few other pics from the Annex from this spring. The sites are mostly wooded and spacious. 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. - Trail Map (PDF) - Recommended Spring '22 Hikes (PDF) Season: Camping Season is mid-May through mid-October. The red train shop was always my favorite spot anyway, good to see it's still around. The ammunition depot closed in 1965 allowing the State of Massachusetts to purchase the land. While there is plenty of natural beauty to explore around the Bay State, there are also fascinating ruins to be found as well. Wompatuck State Park. 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. This state park was previously owned by the Native American chief Josiah Wompatuck. Zimmerman said his department is unable to say when the closed area will be opened. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. Camping season typically runs from early May until Columbus Day weekend. 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. Land and water creatures abound in the park. In 1941, the United States government established the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex (known by locals as the Cohasset Annex) on the site. 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. Wompatuck State Park is covered by the Cohasset, MA US Topo Map quadrant. 110+ underground bunkers stored munitions. These natives grew crops, foraged, hunted, and fished in the Assinippi and North River areas. View Location View Map. If you have, please let us know if you saw the abandoned buildings. Norwell MA 02061, Phone: 781.659.8168 The hiking trails at Ames Nowell State Park are plentiful. Stop in the Visitor Center to see more. Park at the lot across from the visitor center. Before that can happen, another restricted area no longer in federal hands must be restored to public use. THERE IS A $4.50 NON-REFUNDABLE TRANSACTION CHARGE FOR EACH RESERVATION MADE. anonymously (anonymous users cannot post links). Find cheap hotels near Verizon Authorized Retailer - GoWireless in Plymouth County with real guest reviews and ratings. Wompatuck State Park, an unusual site in Hingham. Blue Spring is open seasonally, featuring water drawn directly from a natural aquifer. Hours: Sunrise to sunset, plus overnight camping with reservation. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the Annex, in 1966, and later turned the 3,500 acres (14 km 2) into the present day Wompatuck State Park. Leavitt Street, which once connected Cohassets Beechwood Area to Hinghams Town Hall, extends into Wompatuck and becomes Doane Street at the Cohasset town boundary. Date of experience . The park's campground offers 262 campsites, 140 of which have electrical service. The route continues past the foundation of another warehouse on the right. In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. One would hope this [the project] is coming to the end of a very long process, Boles said. In 1986 the Park acquired an additional 600 acres from the government. Wompatuck State Park spans 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. The park site served as the Cohasset Annex until 1962. You will find Eastern White Pine, Hemlock, Maple, Oak, Cedar, Birch, and many more types of trees. Peter Pan Bus Lines also services this route once daily. Among the most common are swamp azalea, solomons seal, white geranium, ladies slipper, and sheep laurel. 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. Blue Street, Norwell. Another option is to create your own hike. Some motor pool and factory buildings remain north-north-east but the asbestos abatement has reduced them to mere hulks. Hingham Historical Society Presents a Waves of Change Presentation:Lasting Imprints of WWI and WWII:Bare Cove Park and WompatuckCamp Hingham and the Munition. Doane Street was created at the initiative of Doane to make it easier for second parish residents to attend Hingham town meetings at the corner of Leavitt and East Streets. 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. 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 1967 the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources purchased the 3496 acres to convert it to a public park. 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 . i did not see this 0.0 any chance u can pm me a location? Robert Knox can be reached at rc.knox2@gmail.com. Wompatuck State Park comprises 3,000 acres of eastern transitional forest and various other habitats. During the civil war, many of the men in the area left to serve in the war and never returned. Families maintained woodlots to heat their homes. 19ms. The 1.5-mile Whitney Spur Rail Trail now connects the Cohasset MBTA station to Wompatuck State Park. Avoid riding on the trails in wet conditions. We've since visited many, MANY other state parks in various states and can say with certainty that Wompatuck is a winner. 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. 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. For information on the Wompatuck State Park Big Loop Trail, head to the AllTrails website. . The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. The water is tested frequently for safety. Streams powered the Stockbridge Shingle Mill and water from Mt. Edit this map Wompatuck State Park trail map near hingham, ma. It was reactivated for the Korean conflict and once again went into full military operation. South Pleasant Street runs east from Main Street in Hingham to Union Street in Wompatuck State Park. A section of the now-aging chain link fencing that once demarcated the parks boundaries can be found a short distance down the trail. Water from Mt. In 1986 the Park acquired an additional 600 acres from the government. 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. I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. The state last estimated its bear population at between 4,000 and 4,500 - up from about 100 in the early 1970s. [7] Several old military buildings can be found on park property as well as an extensive network of abandoned railroad. Yes, dogs are allowed in Wompatuck State Park. LEGAL INNOVATION | Tu Agente Digitalizador; LEGAL3 | Gestin Definitiva de Despachos; LEGAL GOV | Gestin Avanzada Sector Pblico Explore South Shore Art Center when you travel to Cohasset. (214 South Street) Wompatuck State Park spans 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. Monday: 1:00-5:00pm Campsite fee is $17/night for Mass . Please do not include personal or contact information. Half the sites have electricity and half do not. yea, i believe N-9 was made specifically to hold a certain anti-aircraft or anti-tank missile or something dont quote but something along those lines, RUR-5 ASROC, an anti-sub rocket. "Bears run; they . 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. 100,000 Approximate number of people visiting the park each year. For thousands of years, the land that encompasses what is today Norwell was inhabited by indigenous people. This alternate and unofficial entrance to Wompatuck State Park is located on Prospect Street in Norwell, very close to the Hingham town line. PO Box 43 Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. In the 1700s early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. [4] The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation[5] which protects forests of the northeastern coastal forests ecoregion.[6]. 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. 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. Among the most common are swamp azalea, solomons seal, white geranium, ladies slipper, and sheep laurel. Many of the bunkers which were used to store ammunition have been filled in, but some remain open and can be explored. Directions 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). Were looking to complete the remedial investigation for the site, Charette said. you will need a lock pick or cutter to get in but thats doable. . Many never returned. Firewood must be purchased at the campground. The Friends say the state promised years ago to clean up or secure those buildings so the public can make use of a new bike trail. The park lies largely in the town of Hingham, but also touches parts of Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate. 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. 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. (214 South Street) The route continues on the road straight past NN10 and turns right onto a dirt trail. with this post, location or person. This all came to an end in 1962. Scoop the poop! Wompatuck State Park is located south of Boston in a small town called Hingham. This land is within the region of the Massachuseuk (or Massachusett) Native American tribe. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. From route 3 take exit 35 heading north on route 228. Lastly, Beechwood Street ran east from Union Street through the site of Aaron River Reservoir to Beechwood Street in Cohasset until the reservoir was formed by a dam in 1976-1978. 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 . 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. Among the most common are Swamp Azalea, Solomon's Seal, While Geranium, ladies slipper, and Sheep Laurel. Its also great spot to begin a mountain bike ride through the park. Offering an over 250 site campground, 12 miles of non-motorized roads and 40 miles of forest trails, the park is a great place to get into nature. See 1067 Places to Stay Near The Old Ordinary, MA | Quickly compare The Old Ordinary hotels, rentals, and more. The rest of the park contains a great many hiking trails. Via Car Use the address of Faneuil Hall as a guide for GPS directions: 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109. 43 reviews of Wompatuck State Park "Wompatuck State Park is a huge (something like 4000 acre?) Parking: Two informal roadside parking areas, each for 3-4 vehicles, on Prospect Street in Norwell, close to the Hingham town line. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream. 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. But the new rail trail is a trail to nowhere, the Friends say, because it is blocked by the wire fence around the closed area. Additional parking at the Main Entrance, Leavitt Street in Hingham, and Doane Street in Cohasset. Fax: 781.659.7915 Cleaning up contamination resulting from ammunition and fuel storage and disposal has been a long story for the park, Boles said. The route turns left at a paved road and quickly turns left again down another trail which is an old rail bed so you may notice railroad ties in the trail. You can also join our Abandoned States of America Facebook group and share any of the photos you have. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Located at the northern end of the park, the 200-acre closed area includes a few contaminated buildings where munitions such as torpedoes were assembled for shipping to a Navy depot at what is now Bare Cove Park in Hingham. In 1655 he deeded the land we now call Hingham so that others could enjoy the land as he did. The land was originally the property of Native American chief Josiah Wompatuck, who deeded the land to English settlers in 1655. You feel as though you are deep within a forest with intermittent areas of meadows and ponds. Wompatuck State Park is built upon land that once belonged to a former ammunition depot and several abandoned buildings remain on the property today. 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. As always, let's all help to maintain and preserve this park by not littering and treating this natural area with care. Twelve miles of paved bicycle trails, in addition to miles of wooded bridle paths and hiking trails, offer lots of riding options. When World War II ended, this area reverted to maintenance status only. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. In winter, the trails are perfect for cross . Accord Brook is the main waterway through Wompatuck Park. The Wompatuck Trail, accessible from the Main entrance in Hingham, is ADA accessible. You will receive your first email soon. Most remaining buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements. ! I did not make it far into the other area, for I believe that I saw some people out there and it was only a few days ago that it was confirmed that homeless people had been living there. Stay right on the path and follow the Pond edge. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. It joins with Brass Kettle Brook and eventually empties into the Gulf River in North Scituate. It remained in use until 1965, and served both World War II and the Korean Conflict. Don't worry, if you die.We'll make it. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs also grow in abundance. Historic site. 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. A rail spur known as the Whitney Spur formerly connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad's Greenbush Line. Read more. For this hike, you will also go outside the park to Triphammer Pond and Whitney & Thayer Woods. In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. The ammunition depot closed in 1965 allowing the State of Massachusetts to purchase the land. Wompatuck State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area of about 3,500 acres 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Find cheap hotels near Plymouth County Weir River Farm from AUD 168 with real guest reviews and ratings. Wompatuck Trail Map. View campsite map, availability, and reserve online with ReserveAmerica. Explosives such as TNT-loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored here. Looking for some of the best hotels in Accord? Land and water creatures abound in the park. Take a right on Free St. at the lights. 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 episode led the 100-member Friends group to christen their annual bike race fund-raiser the Landmine Classic. | Each varies in length from 1 mile to 25 miles. In 1967 the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources purchased the 3496 acres to convert it to a public park. . [10] The northwest section opened in November 2014 and the gate was removed. theres a path up to it, this place is well worth the trip. The last military activity at the Annex took place when the U.S. Army Reserve 187th Infantry Brigade was stationed at United States Army Reserve Center Hingham from 1971 to 1982.