yes it was declared a superfund site, and their 2 reasons why. Wompatuck State Park is a fantastic place to take kids bike riding. During the 1800s, families maintained woodlots to heat their homes. Read more. The hiking trails at Ames Nowell State Park are plentiful. In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. In 1966 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the Cohasset Annex property. To get there, follow the trail from Marker S32 to S33 to S 34, and then onward to S3 and S4. Recommended Trail Activities: Running, Walking, Hiking, Trail Biking a little known fact that many dont know about. Among the most common are swamp azalea, solomons seal, white geranium, ladies slipper, and sheep laurel. It joins with Brass Kettle Brook and eventually empties into the Gulf River in North Scituate. 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 State Park Address: 204 Union St., Hingham MA 02043 Phone: 781-749-7160 . Wompatuck State Park has six entrances. Nightly rate: $30. Encompassing 3,500 acres (1540 in Hingham), this heavily wooded park is one of the towns greatest conservation assets. 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. It consists of 3, 526 acres and is surrounded by other conservation areas creating a beautiful area in which one can find solitude and quietness. The route continues on the road straight past NN10 and turns right onto a dirt trail. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Another option is to create your own hike. Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash. hey - how come you guys havenet been to Wompatuck state park at teh intersection of Norwell, Hingham, Scituate etc, in MA? If you are lucky, you may see a deer or fox. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. 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. Ammo Dump remains in Wompatuck State Park. Debee Tlumacki . This all came to an end in 1962. Reply #3 on: April 29, 2004, 02:54:39 PM . Find Wompatuck State Park camping, campsites, cabins, and other lodging options. The land was originally the property of Native American chief Josiah Wompatuck, who deeded the land to English settlers in 1655. Wompatuck State Park spans 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. Length: 3.9 mi Est. Blue Spring is open seasonally, featuring water drawn directly from a natural aquifer. In addition to being a popular camping location, Wompatuck is a favorite among hikers, bicyclists, kayakers, and those who like to fish. Water features include Cohassets Aaron River Reservoir which was created by damming the Aaron which flows east from Holly Pond. click for Fullsize. I jetted ASAP and will go back when I have someone else with me. In 1969, Wompatuck State Park opened to the public. The Aaron Reservoir Dam was constructed from 1976-1978. There are numerous woodland trails within the park for hiking, dog-walking, horseback riding, cycling, and cross-country skiing. From route 3 take exit 35 heading north on route 228. Close to the Norwell entrance to the park is the highest point in Hingham: Prospect Hill. Turkey Hill is north of the park in Cohasset. Before that can happen, another restricted area no longer in federal hands must be restored to public use. 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. The loop trail connecting these two points to S11-S14 crosses the Aaron River twice. You will pass a raised area, which is the foundation for an old warehouse on the left side and follow the road as it turns to the left and stays left at a fork in the road. It is a wonderful place to spend a weekend exploring. 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. In the spring some of the trails can be muddy so be prepared. Parking In addition, Accord Brook flows northward along the western edge of the park, eventually into Triphammer Pond. In 1967 the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources purchased the 3496 acres to convert it to a public park. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. There are several old military buildings on the property, as well as an abandoned railroad. 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. Blue Spring is open seasonally, featuring water drawn directly from a natural aquifer. The park lies largely in the town of Hingham, but also touches parts of Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate. The Burbank Boulder is located in the northeast area of the park near Whitney Thayer Woods. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. Many never returned. 2023 North & South Rivers Watershed Association. Below the dam, the river continues to flow through Cohasset. You can read more abut camping at Wompatuck State Park here. . You cant beat that. Blue . With so many trails, a map is definitely needed to navigate. Many of these roads go back to colonial times. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. hiking trails of abingtonAmes Nowell State Park. The path will connect to N11 again. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements. Waterbody/Watershed: Accord Brook (Weir River watershed) and Aaron Brook (Gulf River watershed), NSRWA Office 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 You can also join our Abandoned States of America Facebook group and share any of the photos you have. as the gemtlemen said ina previous post be careful how far you poke around you may run into some bad stuff. The park has a large number of paved roads remaining from its use as a Naval Ammunition Depot. Ames Nowell State Park. Wompy's trails can be wet in early spring. US Topo Map. It joins with Brass Kettle Brook and eventually empties into the Gulf River in North Scituate. Its an excellent access point for a hike to the top of Prospect Hill. That could range from a minimal cost to hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. When the Civil War broke out all the local men were swept into the fight. English settlers purchased the land from Wompatuck in 1655. . 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 . Explosives such as TNT loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored along with the assembly of rocket motors. 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! The ammunition depot closed in 1965 allowing the State of Massachusetts to purchase the land. 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. If the risk to public health is higher, remediation could consist of removing contaminated soil or capping the ground. A lock icon ( 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. The ammo dumps (bunkers) are to the north and east and have been completely destroyed. During WWII and the Korean War, it served as an ammunitions depot for the U.S. military. The streams powered Stockbridge Mill, which was used to make shingles. Our main concern is public safety, he said. 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. Many cement bunkers were constructed and the area became a huge munitions storage depot. Check out historicaerials and you can see where soem bunkers were removed or flooded for the reservoir at the other end of the property. Explore South Shore Art Center when you travel to Cohasset. Not all maps have been updated to include this entrance. I used to skateboard in the correct spot to the northeast with my friends in the 80's when I was a teen. We've since visited many, MANY other state parks in various states and can say with certainty that Wompatuck is a winner. The Aaron River finds its source within Wompatuck State Park and flows northeast to the Aaron River Reservoir. Or you can just get in contact with the local Boy Scouts troop down there. Please do not include personal or contact information. subject to the rules of our, THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING, Report: Warrant Issued for Roggies Bar Owner, Boston Pops Concert Move Keeps the Beach Boys, Ditches Joey McIntyre, Lawmakers pass compounding pharmacy oversight bill, Follow this list on Twitter: @BostonPopular. Wompatuck State Park abuts Cohasset's Whitney Thayer Woods, a Trustees of Reservations property that allows mountain biking on a network of well maintained gravel paths. Entering from the Leavitt Street cul-de-sac the route goes straight past trail marker NN3 uphill to marker NN11 and turns left. Each varies in length from 1 mile to 25 miles. Waterbody/Watershed: Aaron River (Gulf River watershed), NSRWA Office Blue Spring, which has been in operation since the mid-19th century. 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. The rail spur connected the two sites by way of the Greenbush Rail Line. I prefer the dirt, but the occasional walk along the pavement was also welcoming. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Avoid riding on the trails in wet conditions. During the civil war, many of the men in the area left to serve in the war and never returned. [5] Upland game bird hunting is allowed in season in the South Field area. Larson added that a bear sighting wasn't a public safety threat. But the conclusion of the burning grounds decontamination project will not by itself open the whole park to the public, the Friends say.