The park site served as the Cohasset Annex until 1962. 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. 1,321 ft. Continue straight through lights at route 53 continuing on route 228. There are 12 miles of paved biking trails in the park, and many more miles . 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. Follow the paved trail to NN7 into Whitney and Thayer Woods. Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company. In the west, Prospect street in Norwell and residential property east of Prospect, Charles, Lazell and Free Streets; Triphammer Woods and Triphammer Pond Conservation Land; and a mix of residential and conservation land north of Triphammer Pond, in Hingham and Cohasset form the boundary. The sites concrete munitions storage bunkers, some designed with loading docks, were filled and closed by the Corps. Reply #3 on: April 29, 2004, 02:54:39 PM . Length: 3.9 mi Est. Accessible. They're the ones who restored it and give tours, from what Ive heard. 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 park is very popular with trailer campers: electric hookups, a dumping station, and potable water are all available. 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. Some motor pool and factory buildings remain north-north-east but the asbestos abatement has reduced them to mere hulks. There are ponds for fishing, and hunting is permitted in season. Via Car Use the address of Faneuil Hall as a guide for GPS directions: 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109. It stretches into four towns Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell. From route 3 take exit 35 heading north on route 228. Water from Mt. (214 South Street) and some of the bunkers are still visible. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. The land itself feels lush and magical. 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. This park is the site of the Burbank Boulder. Some cool old bunkers (unfortunately some . In 1941, the United States government established the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex (known by locals as the Cohasset Annex). This area was known as the Cohasset Annex. In 1655 he deeded the land we now call Hingham so that others could enjoy the land as he did. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. Another option is to create your own hike. The road loops past 2 trails on the right and another building foundation at trail marker NN10. Every winter, the sailing vessel Noorderlicht is intentionally frozen into Tempelfjorden. theres a path up to it, this place is well worth the trip. 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. Here you can locate several hikes that will also provide a GPS navigator. Each varies in length from 1 mile to 25 miles. Stroller-friendly in some sections. Good to see there's still something there. There are several old military buildings on the property, as well as an abandoned railroad. Robert Knox can be reached at rc.knox2@gmail.com. All the other bunkers I've seen over there are just one room but maybe they have some special setup for special cases. 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. I prefer the dirt, but the occasional walk along the pavement was also welcoming. The tall trees were used for masts and stone walls were built to denote survey and boundary lines. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. Wednesday: 9:00am-5:00pm This map is centered on the presently in-use state park camping area. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. There is one campground at Wompatuck State park with 260 sites. Leavitt Street, which continues into Doane Street and into Cohassets Beechwood area. Email: info@nsrwa.org, Public Office Hours: The trail system is well marked and the trail map is a very good representation of the park. Exploring some building ruins. Blue Spring, which has been in operation since the mid-19th century. Still some stuff there, but you can see that they are systematically taking it all down. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. Federal engineers also discovered the land mine area of suspected unexploded ordnance buried near a bike trail, Boles said. Nightly rate: $30. 781-447-7223 | 242 Bedford St. Whitman MA 02382. . The sites are: Read the full Friends of Wompatuck Newsletter to learn more about Native American stonework in Eastern Massachusetts. Overall Rating. Get Directions . Mount Hope is in the southeast corner of the park, north of Mount Blue, which is south of the park in Norwell. People should be using it.. Its also great spot to begin a mountain bike ride through the park. Wompatuck State Park has 262 wooded campsites; 140 of them offer electricity. There are water spigots throughout the campground. Home / Hiking / Wompatuck State Park Prospect Street/Norwell Entrance, https://www.mass.gov/locations/wompatuck-state-park. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. Wompy's trails can be wet in early spring. The Annex was known by locals as the Cohasset Annex. The park features numerous seasonal campsites, plus fishing and non-motorized boating on the Aaron River Reservoir. This all came to an end in 1962. The Corps fenced off and thoroughly examined several acres before pronouncing it safe. The Friends of Wompatuck have made it a little easier to navigate with a downloadable map on your device that has a GPS locator. This park is said to contain approximately 600 acres. 2023 North & South Rivers Watershed Association. Only 35 minutes from Boston, Wompatuck State Park is a gem that will make you forget that you are in Eastern Massachusetts. The materials disposed of consist of small arms ammunition, machine gun bullets, flares, incendiaries, irritants (gases), and grenades, Charette said. 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. It is a place that transports you away from the stresses of life and allows you to just be. Explosives such as TNT loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored along with the assembly of rocket motors. cache 6h 0m Wednesday: 9:00am-5:00pm Among the most common are swamp azalea, solomons seal, white geranium, ladies slipper, and sheep laurel. 19ms. the dog but I have also ridden a great deal of the mountain bike trails.The trail system is well marked and the trail map is a very good . 3,526 acres, 262 wooded campsites, 12 miles of paved bicycle trails. Tweet. During World War II the Depot was the main ammunition supply for the North Atlantic naval forces. . If you need assistance, please Learn About DCR| Mass.gov. I've worked in the entertainment industry for much of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Each trail has a letter and number to help in navigating the trail system. We utilized this park as an economical . Overall, Wompatuck State Park is a beautiful wooded location nestled close to Boston. The brook continues north to Triphammer Pond and ultimately flows into the Weir River. In 1966 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the Cohasset Annex property. The trails can be quite wet in the spring. REGIONAL TOURISM COUNCILS GREATER BOSTON CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU 1 888-733-2678 wwwBostonUSAcom NORTH OF BOSTON CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU 2 978-465-6555 northofbostonorg Wompatuck State Park is located south of Boston in a small town called Hingham. Soon after it exits the pond, it flows into the Weir River. The Wompy map also provides information about areas to visit within the park and highlights several of the mountain bike trails. Access to the Boston public rail system was convenient and provided access to many parts of the Boston area. Scoop the poop! yes it was declared a superfund site, and their 2 reasons why. There are numerous woodland trails for hiking, dog-walking, horseback riding, cycling, and cross-country skiing. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham is rated 8.2 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. 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 Days stayed: 5. PO Box 43 Blue Spring is open seasonally, featuring water drawn directly from a natural aquifer. Hingham Historical Society Presents a Waves of Change Presentation:Lasting Imprints of WWI and WWII:Bare Cove Park and WompatuckCamp Hingham and the Munition. There are 12 miles of paved bike paths, plus off-road trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Wompatuck State Park. The park is popular with campers and has more than 250 wooded campsites (some with electricity). The Wompatuck Trail is ADA accessible. This alternate and unofficial entrance to Wompatuck State Park is located on Prospect Street in Norwell, very close to the Hingham town line. 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. Don't worry, if you die.We'll make it. THERE IS A $4.50 NON-REFUNDABLE TRANSACTION CHARGE FOR EACH RESERVATION MADE. In 1986 the Park acquired an additional 600 acres from the government. Taking a trip out thursdayanyone want to join or give advice? Blue Street, Norwell. Avoid riding on the trails in wet conditions. You will have access to toilets and showers at the campground. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state, Read the rules for hunting in state parks. Parking: Two informal roadside parking areas, each for 3-4 vehicles, on Prospect Street in Norwell, close to the Hingham town line. Twelve miles of paved bicycle trails, in addition to miles of wooded bridle paths and hiking trails, offer lots of riding options. Debee Tlumacki . The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. Eight to 10 acres were examined and then narrowed to the smaller, currently fenced-off site. Campsite fee is $17/night for Mass . 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Camping at Wompatuck State Park is $17/night for Massachusetts residents and $54/night for non-residents. Wompatuck State Park, or `Wompy' as most locals refer to it, offers an extremely varied riding experience to area mountain bikers. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. The area of the Leavitt Street entrance is characterized by Leavitt Street and the Whitney Spur Rail Trail. The land at Wompatuck State Park was commonly used by the Massachusett tribe, led by Chief Josiah Wompatuck. In their absence, the land was not utilized and the forest started to reclaim it. This entrance features a new ADA trail that connects via a boardwalk and a crushed stone pathway to established trails within the park. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Massachusetts: 33 reviews, 24 photos, & 8 tips from fellow RVers. Ancillary Activities: Horses (permission may be required), Birding, Hunting (permission may be required), Camping (permission may be required), Snowmobiles, Historic Sites. The hiking trails at Ames Nowell State Park are plentiful. If you are lucky, you may see a deer or fox. - Trail Map (PDF) - Recommended Spring '22 Hikes (PDF) Season: Camping Season is mid-May through mid-October. The road continues to the right past another foundation and follows a trail to the right. The Doane Street creates a direct connection between East Street in Hingham and the Beechwood area in Hinghams second parish (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. 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. If the risk to public health is higher, remediation could consist of removing contaminated soil or capping the ground. The tall trees were used for masts and stone walls were built to denote survey and boundary lines. 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. Wompatuck Trail Map. 1941 Navy acquired the land for an ammunition depot. . 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. In addition, Accord Brook flows northward along the western edge of the park (including the section abutting Prospect Street), eventually into Triphammer Pond. Before that can happen, another restricted area no longer in federal hands must be restored to public use. Were looking to complete the remedial investigation for the site, Charette said. The ammunition depot closed in 1965 allowing the State of Massachusetts to purchase the land. 2023 North & South Rivers Watershed Association. I'm sorry to point out that this is incorrect but not far off. Blue . Hours: Sunrise to sunset, plus overnight camping with reservation. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. Cleaning up contamination resulting from ammunition and fuel storage and disposal has been a long story for the park, Boles said. Stroller-friendly in some sections. The land at Wompatuck State Park originally belonged to Wampanoag chief Josiah Wompatuck. Visit the MBTA website for further information. Wompatuck State Park has six entrances. See 1067 Places to Stay Near The Old Ordinary, MA | Quickly compare The Old Ordinary hotels, rentals, and more. Close to the Norwell entrance to the park is the highest point in Hingham: Prospect Hill. 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. a little known fact that many dont know about. In 1969, Wompatuck State Park opened to the public. Wompatuck State Park is located in eastern Massachusetts, just half an hour south of Boston. You cant beat that. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The path will connect to N11 again. 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. I was able to follow the roads to the other area where there are more buildings. Edit this map Wompatuck State Park trail map near hingham, ma. The water is tested frequently for safety. Pump Track multi-use trail ; Overview; Photos (1) Videos (0) Reports (8) Comments (0) Ride Logs; Leaderboard; Stats; Jumps; 3D Tour; Add / Edit. [4] The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation[5] which protects forests of the northeastern coastal forests ecoregion.[6]. Blue Spring was commercially bottled.When the Civil War broke out all the local men were swept into the fight. 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 Wompatuck State Park Big Loop Trail is 10.3 miles and rated as moderate with an overall elevation gain of 544 feet. 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. If you get to the small brook, then you have gone too far. I used to skateboard in the correct spot to the northeast with my friends in the 80's when I was a teen. It stretches into four towns Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell. Due to the number of trails, a map is necessary to explore the park. Typically, the Mt. Yes, dogs are allowed in Wompatuck State Park. A hike here is as spooky as it is fascinating. The dam that holds the reservoir in place was constructed from 1976-1978. However, I fell in love with Wompatuck very quickly and found that if I memorized a couple of the upcoming intersections, I would not have to look at the map so often. Other access points include:Main Entrance, Hingham Leavitt Street Entrance, Hingham Triphammer Pond Conservation Area, Hingham Whitney Spur Rail Trail, Cohasset Whitney & Thayer Woods, Cohasset Doane Street Entrance, Cohasset Aaron River Reservoir and Dam, Cohasset Brass Kettle Conservation Area, Cohasset Grove Street, Norwell Mt. The U.S. Navy deactivated the Cohasset Annex and in 1963 the land was declared surplus by the Navy. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed, and are open to the elements. This vast expanse of woods was named for its prior owner, Josiah Wompatuck, who was chief of the Mattakeessett and grandson of Chief Chickatawbut. . It will be unmarked. Book hotels from Trip.com and get fantastic deals and exclusive discounts! 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. The route continues past the foundation of another warehouse on the right. Most hotels are fully refundable. 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. Wompatuck State Park Address: 204 Union St., Hingham MA 02043 Phone: 781-749-7160 . 43 reviews of Wompatuck State Park "Wompatuck State Park is a huge (something like 4000 acre?) Search. 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. The road will take a deep turn to the left and the State Park will be on the right. The Burbank Boulder is located in the northeast area of the park near Whitney Thayer Woods. There are over 250 bird species in the park, including : blue jay, great blue heron, goshawk, red tail hawk, yellow warbler, ruffed grouse, and quail. You can find a map of Whitney and Thayer Woods Here, For a map of this route check out Mapy.cz. there is a huge ex-ammo depot up there, fenced but accessible very easily. . That could range from a minimal cost to hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. 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. Water from Mt. Many never returned. Here's a map of the entire state park grounds. 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. Take the Green line to Haymarket and walk south toward Faneuil Hall. While there is plenty of natural beauty to explore around the Bay State, there are also fascinating ruins to be found as well. Check out these highly recommended hotels in Accord for 2023! [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]. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. In addition to being open to the public for . those are great photos. 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. Jim R., the FOW historian I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. Such great history!!! There are several old military buildings on the property, as well as an abandoned railroad. Weather at the park is on the cool side - average temperatures can get down into the 20s in the . If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. 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 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. Stroller-friendly in some sections. In 1967 the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources purchased the 3496 acres to convert it to a public park. Other water features include: Mount Blue Spring, a source of potable spring water, and Woodpecker, Wildcat, and Heron ponds. The route turns right on the rail trail and left onto a road with an open area on the right after the turn. Explosives such as TNT loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored along with the assembly of rocket motors. The Wompatuck Trail, accessible from the Main entrance in Hingham, is ADA accessible. hi guys ive been to the wampatuck resivation and there were many explorable bunkers and sites to check out 10 years ago. Season: Any time between late spring and late fall. During the 1800s, families maintained woodlots to heat their homes. Read more. 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. The 1.5-mile Whitney Spur Rail Trail now connects the Cohasset MBTA station to Wompatuck State Park. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. Wompatuck State Park is located south of Boston in a small town called Hingham. 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. Wompatuck bunkers. This park is also the site of a glacial erratic, the Burbank Boulder.