Ellisville Harbor State Park
Encyclopedia
Ellisville Harbor State Park is a Massachusetts
state park
located in the village of Ellisville
in Plymouth. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation
(DCR).
, rolling meadows, and red pine
forest habitats. One of the most scenic spots on the South Shore coastline, visitors can see small fishing boats, a barrier beach, sphagnum
bog
, forested upland and open meadows. The large bog attracts many interesting birds as both a habitat and migrations stopover. In fall and winter, harbor seal
s can often be seen just offshore.
A wide main trail of about 350 yards is maintained with a processed stone surface from a parking area to a wide, rocky beach. The endangered
Piping Plover
s and Least Terns nest along a section of the beach which is closed in the spring. Several side trails access other areas of the park. Poison ivy is a concern along trail edges.
An 18th century farmstead is also included on the property and is part of the Department of Conservation and Recreations Historic Curatorship Program
. As of 2009, the curators are Don and Kristy McIvor.
The park is accessed from Massachusetts Route 3A
, about one mile north of Massachusetts Route 3's Exit 2. Parking is free.
The area was designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern in January 1980.
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...
located in the village of Ellisville
Ellisville, Massachusetts
Ellisville is a village in southeastern Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States. It is located on Cape Cod Bay, and is situated south of Vallerville and north of Cedarville. The neighborhoods within Ellisville include Harlow’s Landing and Eastland Heights...
in Plymouth. 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).
Description
Ellisville Harbor State Park protects a unique coastal property which includes beachfront, salt marshSalt marsh
A salt marsh is an environment in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and salt water or brackish water, it is dominated by dense stands of halophytic plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh...
, rolling meadows, and red pine
Red Pine
Pinus resinosa, commonly known as the red pine or Norway pine, is pine native to North America. The Red Pine occurs from Newfoundland west to Manitoba, and south to Pennsylvania, with several smaller, disjunct populations occurring in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia, as well...
forest habitats. One of the most scenic spots on the South Shore coastline, visitors can see small fishing boats, a barrier beach, sphagnum
Sphagnum
Sphagnum is a genus of between 151 and 350 species of mosses commonly called peat moss, due to its prevalence in peat bogs and mires. A distinction is made between sphagnum moss, the live moss growing on top of a peat bog on one hand, and sphagnum peat moss or sphagnum peat on the other, the...
bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
, forested upland and open meadows. The large bog attracts many interesting birds as both a habitat and migrations stopover. In fall and winter, harbor seal
Harbor Seal
The harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
s can often be seen just offshore.
A wide main trail of about 350 yards is maintained with a processed stone surface from a parking area to a wide, rocky beach. The endangered
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
Piping Plover
Piping Plover
The Piping Plover is a small sand-colored, sparrow-sized shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. The adult has yellow-orange legs, a black band across the forehead from eye to eye, and a black ring around the neck...
s and Least Terns nest along a section of the beach which is closed in the spring. Several side trails access other areas of the park. Poison ivy is a concern along trail edges.
An 18th century farmstead is also included on the property and is part of the Department of Conservation and Recreations Historic Curatorship Program
Historic Curatorship Program
The Massachusetts Historic Curatorship Program is a leasing program within the state of Massachusetts that promotes private investment in historic, public properties that are currently empty and in various states of disrepair....
. As of 2009, the curators are Don and Kristy McIvor.
The park is accessed from Massachusetts Route 3A
Massachusetts Route 3A
Route 3A is a state highway in eastern Massachusetts, which parallels Route 3 and U.S. Route 3 from Cedarville in southern Plymouth to Tyngsborough at the New Hampshire state line....
, about one mile north of Massachusetts Route 3's Exit 2. Parking is free.
Recreational opportunities
- FishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
- Salt water from shore and jette - Bird watching
- HikingHikingHiking 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...
- Scenic viewing area
- Cross-country skiingCross-country skiingCross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
- Walking trails
- BeachcombingBeachcombingBeachcombing and beachcomber are words with multiple, but related, meanings that have evolved over time.A beachcomber is someone who "combs" the beach, and the intertidal zone in general, looking for things of value, interest or utility....
History
Between 2,500 and 5,000 years ago, prehistoric Native Americans hunted, fished, harvested shellfish and made tools here. At least two Native American sites are in the area. The park was once part of the Harlow family farmstead. In its earlier days the harbor was a busy loading spot for ships taking timber to Boston and for local fishing.The area was designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern in January 1980.
External links
- State park website: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/ells.htm
- State DCR page re: Area of Critical Environmental Concern