Callahan State Park
Encyclopedia
Callahan State Park is a Massachusetts
state park
partly located in Framingham
and Marlborough, Massachusetts
. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation
(DCR).
The park was named in honor of Raymond J. Callahan in 1971 by an Act of the Massachusetts legislature.
, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing
. The park is home to a wide variety of trees both coniferous and deciduous
. The park is open all year. Come winter the park is used by cross-country skiers and snowshoe
rs. One should use caution in the park though, as sightings of wildlife including coyotes and large deer
are not unheard of. Because of the large deer and other wildlife population, pets should stay on trails and avoid other animals fecal matter because of parasites, notably mange
. Hikers should also come with insect repellent in the summer, as deer flies, ticks, and mosquitoes are common. Garter snakes can also be seen basking on the hot dirt paths in spring and summer.
Hunting
, camping
, and fires are all illegal inside the park. Some of the trail markers may have been vandalized or removed. When trails are closed for regrowth, safe detours are always provided. There are three parking lots for Callahan State Park. The two in Framingham are located on Millwood Street and Edmands Road. The other lot is located on Broadmeadow Road in Marlborough. Visitors to the park may obtain a free map in the parking areas and online at: Callahan State Park Trail Map. Visitors should be aware of the time of day they are entering, as the thick woods become dark long before sunset. All motorized vehicles are prohibited. Bikers are advised to make themselves known to hikers on trails in advance and show proper etiquette. Horseback riders are required to keep their horses under control at all times. Dogs are required to be on-leash in all parking lots, on the Earthen Dam, and any borderline trails. Pick up after your pets and keep them under control at all times.
Contact Callahan State Park
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
partly located in Framingham
Framingham, Massachusetts
Framingham is a New England town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 68,318 as of the United States 2010 Census. -History:...
and Marlborough, Massachusetts
Marlborough, Massachusetts
Marlborough is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 38,499 at the 2010 census. Marlborough became a prosperous industrial town in the 19th century and made the transition to high technology industry in the late 20th century after the construction of the...
. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation
Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)
The Department of Conservation and Recreation is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, situated in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. It is best known for its parks and parkways. As of May 24, 2011 the Commissioner of the DCR is Edward M. Lambert, Jr...
(DCR).
The park was named in honor of Raymond J. Callahan in 1971 by an Act of the Massachusetts legislature.
Description
Raymond J. Callahan State Park is a 820 acres (3.3 km²) day use area principally used for hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
. The park is home to a wide variety of trees both coniferous and deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
. The park is open all year. Come winter the park is used by cross-country skiers and snowshoe
Snowshoe
A snowshoe is footwear for walking over the snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person's foot does not sink completely into the snow, a quality called "flotation"....
rs. One should use caution in the park though, as sightings of wildlife including coyotes and large deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
are not unheard of. Because of the large deer and other wildlife population, pets should stay on trails and avoid other animals fecal matter because of parasites, notably mange
Mange
Mange is the common name for a class of persistent contagious skin diseases caused by parasitic mites. Since mites also infect plants, birds, and reptiles, the term "mange," suggesting poor condition of the hairy coat due to the infection, is sometimes reserved only for pathological...
. Hikers should also come with insect repellent in the summer, as deer flies, ticks, and mosquitoes are common. Garter snakes can also be seen basking on the hot dirt paths in spring and summer.
Hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, and fires are all illegal inside the park. Some of the trail markers may have been vandalized or removed. When trails are closed for regrowth, safe detours are always provided. There are three parking lots for Callahan State Park. The two in Framingham are located on Millwood Street and Edmands Road. The other lot is located on Broadmeadow Road in Marlborough. Visitors to the park may obtain a free map in the parking areas and online at: Callahan State Park Trail Map. Visitors should be aware of the time of day they are entering, as the thick woods become dark long before sunset. All motorized vehicles are prohibited. Bikers are advised to make themselves known to hikers on trails in advance and show proper etiquette. Horseback riders are required to keep their horses under control at all times. Dogs are required to be on-leash in all parking lots, on the Earthen Dam, and any borderline trails. Pick up after your pets and keep them under control at all times.
Contact Callahan State Park
Recreational opportunities
- Bike Paths
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding Trails
- Skiing (Cross-Country)
- Walking Trails
- Bird Watching
External links
- Park Website: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/call.htm
- Trail Map: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/callahan.gif