Fall River Heritage State Park
Encyclopedia
Fall River Heritage State Park sits on the shoreline of the Taunton River
in Fall River
, Massachusetts
, USA, next to the Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge and across from the World War II
Battleship
the USS Massachusetts (BB-59)
. Eight and a half acre
s in size, it is a common place for residents of the city to relax and enjoy the beauty of Battleship Cove
. In the summer time, the park's 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) meadow is filled with summer concerts, outdoor movies, festivals (such as Fall River Celebrates America), and families looking for a spot to picnic. Located adjacent to the park is an antique carousel
and the Battleship Cove community sailing program. Fall River Heritage State Park is managed and maintained by Massachusetts' Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
Directions:
Go right at the fork onto RT 79 & 138 north to Taunton. Take next right exit onto Davol Street. At the base of the ramp carefully bear left taking first left going under the overpass. Go left onto RT 138 South (Battleship Cove\Tiverton RI). Continue on RT 138 South, passing Boathouse parking lot on right followed by the park’s Visitor’s Center, then taking the next right turn (under the Braga Bridge) on to Central Street. Bottom of hill take right into main parking lot .
Taunton River
The Taunton River , is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater...
in Fall River
Fall River
-Cities and towns:In Canada:*Fall River, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:*Fall River, Kansas*Fall River, Massachusetts, the largest city with this name*Fall River, Tennessee*Fall River, Wisconsin*Fall River County, South Dakota-Rivers:In Canada:...
, Massachusetts
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...
, USA, next to the Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge and across from the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
the USS Massachusetts (BB-59)
USS Massachusetts (BB-59)
USS Massachusetts , known as "Big Mamie" to her crewmembers during World War II, was a battleship of the second South Dakota-class. She was the seventh ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the sixth state, and one of two ships of her class to be donated for use as a museum ship...
. Eight and a half acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
s in size, it is a common place for residents of the city to relax and enjoy the beauty of Battleship Cove
Battleship Cove
Battleship Cove, located in Fall River, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit maritime museum and war memorial that traces its origins to the wartime crew of the World War II battleship . This dedicated veterans group was responsible for the donation of the decommissioned vessel from the Navy and its...
. In the summer time, the park's 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) meadow is filled with summer concerts, outdoor movies, festivals (such as Fall River Celebrates America), and families looking for a spot to picnic. Located adjacent to the park is an antique carousel
Carousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
and the Battleship Cove community sailing program. Fall River Heritage State Park is managed and maintained by Massachusetts' Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
Recreational opportunities
- Accessible Restrooms
- Picnicking
- Scenic Viewing Area
- Visitor's Center (Bell Tower Closed)
- Healthy Heart Trail
Nearby attractions
- Along the waterfront:
- Battleship CoveBattleship CoveBattleship Cove, located in Fall River, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit maritime museum and war memorial that traces its origins to the wartime crew of the World War II battleship . This dedicated veterans group was responsible for the donation of the decommissioned vessel from the Navy and its...
(5 Water Street) - The world's largest historic naval ship exhibit featuring the USS Massachusetts- Notable exhibits: The USS Massachusetts (BB-59)USS Massachusetts (BB-59)USS Massachusetts , known as "Big Mamie" to her crewmembers during World War II, was a battleship of the second South Dakota-class. She was the seventh ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the sixth state, and one of two ships of her class to be donated for use as a museum ship...
, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850)USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850)USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. is a of the United States Navy.The ship was named after Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., a naval aviator, son of the former Ambassador to Britain, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., and older brother of future President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy would serve, with interruptions...
, the USS Lionfish (SS-298)USS Lionfish (SS-298)USS Lionfish , a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy named for the lionfish, a scorpaenid fish found in the West Indies and the tropical Pacific....
, the East German Navy Hiddensee (corvette)Hiddensee (corvette)Hiddensee is a former East German Navy corvette now part of the Battleship Cove site in Fall River, Massachusetts.Originally commissioned by the Volksmarine as the Rudolf Egelhofer, the Hiddensee is a built at the Petrovsky Shipyard in 1984, located near the Soviet city of Saint Petersburg...
, the bow of the USS Fall River (CA-131)USS Fall River (CA-131)USS Fall River was a heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. Launched on 13 August 1944 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of Camden, New Jersey, sponsored by Mrs. Alexander C...
, PT-796, PT-617 and etc. - Notable item: The restored 1920's carousel from Lincoln Park.
- Notable exhibits: The USS Massachusetts (BB-59)
- Old Colony & Fall River Railroad MuseumOld Colony & Fall River Railroad MuseumThe Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum is a small railroad museum located in Fall River Massachusetts. The Old Colony and Fall River Railroad operated from 1854 to 1863, and later as part of the extensive Old Colony Railroad system...
(2 Water Street) - A historical and educational museum dedicated to the preservation of railroading in Fall River and New England. - The Marine Museum at Fall RiverMarine Museum at Fall RiverThe Marine Museum at Fall River in Fall River, Massachusetts is a historical and nautical museum with memorabilia, artifacts, and ship models of the Fall River Line and RMS Titanic. The museum houses a diverse collection which includes more than 150 scale models, 30,000 photographs, videos,...
(70 Water Street) - A historical and nautical museum with memorabilia, artifacts, and ship models of the Fall River LineFall River LineThe Fall River Line was a combination steamboat and railroad connection between New York City and Boston that operated between 1847 and 1937. It consisted of a railroad journey between Boston and Fall River, Massachusetts, where passengers would then board steamboats for the journey through...
(which operated between 1847 and 1937) and the RMS Titanic.- Notable item: A 28' model of the RMS Titanic.
- Narrows Center for the Arts (16 Anawan Street) - A non-profit organization and 280-seat facility that hosts high-quality, national and local performing and visual artists, musicians, writers and performers.
- Battleship Cove
- Nearby State Parks/Reservations:
- Dighton Rock State ParkDighton Rock State ParkDighton Rock State Park is a Massachusetts state park located in Berkley. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.- Description :Dighton Rock State Park is a park principally used for picnicking....
- Freetown-Fall River State ForestFreetown-Fall River State ForestThe Freetown-Fall River State Forest is a large tract of forest land located in Freetown and Fall River, Massachusetts. It is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation...
- Notable item: Profile Rock, a 50-foot outcropping, shows a profile of what the Wampanoags believe to be Chief MassasoitMassasoitMassasoit Sachem or Ousamequin ,was the sachem, or leader, of the Pokanoket, and "Massasoit" of the Wampanoag Confederacy. The term Massasoit means Great Sachem.-Early years:...
.
- Notable item: Profile Rock, a 50-foot outcropping, shows a profile of what the Wampanoags believe to be Chief Massasoit
- Horseneck Beach State ReservationHorseneck Beach State ReservationThe Horseneck Beach State Reservation is a large public state beach reservation on Westport River, Westport Harbor, Horseneck Channel, The Let, Rhode Island Sound, and Buzzards Bay, in the southern portion of the town of Westport, Massachusetts, USA....
- Dighton Rock State Park
Accessibility
- Coming from Rhode Island:
- RT 195 East to exit 5. See directions below
- Coming from Cape Cod:
- RT 195 West to exit 5. See directions below
- Coming from Boston:
- RT 24 South to RT 195 West to exit 5 (under City Hall). See directions below
Directions:
Go right at the fork onto RT 79 & 138 north to Taunton. Take next right exit onto Davol Street. At the base of the ramp carefully bear left taking first left going under the overpass. Go left onto RT 138 South (Battleship Cove\Tiverton RI). Continue on RT 138 South, passing Boathouse parking lot on right followed by the park’s Visitor’s Center, then taking the next right turn (under the Braga Bridge) on to Central Street. Bottom of hill take right into main parking lot .