Wompatuck State Park
Encyclopedia
Wompatuck State Park is a recreational area of about 4000 acres (16 km²) in size located primarily in Hingham, Massachusetts
, in the United States
. Portions of the park extend into the neighboring towns of Cohasset
, Norwell
, and Scituate
. It is managed by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The land was originally the property of Indian chief Josiah Wompatuck, who deeded the land to English Settlers in 1665. 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. It contains over 100 decommissioned military bunker
s, many of which have been backfilled, but some of which remain exposed, including one which housed parts of the Navy's first nuclear depth charge in the 1950s. Several old military buildings can be found on park property as well as an extensive network of abandoned railroad. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements.
The park boasts a campground with 400 camp sites, 252 of which are open; 130 of the sites have a 20 amp electrical hook-up. Camping
is open from mid-April until mid-October. The park contains a boat ramp in the Aaron River Reservoir
, where kayaks, canoes, and flat-bottomed row boats are allowed. There are a number bicycling trails and paths for riders of all abilities. For those who seek off-road riding there is a vast amount of challenging single track. There is also a large paved trail system which can be enjoyed by riders of all abilities. An abandoned rail spur, linking the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad
line, has recently been converted to a bicycle path, linking Wompatuck to the Cohasset Commuter Rail Station
(This rail trail is currently closed.). Upland game bird hunting is allowed in season in the south field area. South field is also a favorite of mountain bikers, as is the rest of the park. Free spring water can be obtained at Mt. Blue Spring, which has been in operation since the mid-19th century.
The park protects forests of the Northeastern coastal forests
ecoregion
.
Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham is a town in northern Plymouth County on the South Shore of the U.S. state of Massachusetts and suburb in Greater Boston. The United States Census Bureau 2008 estimated population was 22,561...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Portions of the park extend into the neighboring towns of Cohasset
Cohasset, Massachusetts
Cohasset is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, though it is not contiguous with the main body of the county. The population was 7,542 at the 2010 census.- History :...
, Norwell
Norwell, Massachusetts
Norwell is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population is currently 10,506 at the 2010 Census.Norwell was first settled in 1634 as a part of the settlement of Satuit , which encompasses present day Scituate and Norwell. It was officially created, in 1849 and soon became...
, and Scituate
Scituate, Massachusetts
Scituate is a seacoast town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States, on the South Shore, midway between Boston and Plymouth. The population was 18,133 at the 2010 census....
. It is managed by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The land was originally the property of Indian chief Josiah Wompatuck, who deeded the land to English Settlers in 1665. The park is built on the former Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex
Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex
The Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex, sometimes called the “Cohasset Annex” or "Hingham Annex" by local residents, covered sections of the towns of Hingham, Cohasset,Norwell, and Scituate Massachusetts.-Beginnings:...
(known by natives as the "Cohasset Annex"), which was in use from 1941 until 1965. It contains over 100 decommissioned military bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
s, many of which have been backfilled, but some of which remain exposed, including one which housed parts of the Navy's first nuclear depth charge in the 1950s. Several old military buildings can be found on park property as well as an extensive network of abandoned railroad. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements.
The park boasts a campground with 400 camp sites, 252 of which are open; 130 of the sites have a 20 amp electrical hook-up. 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...
is open from mid-April until mid-October. The park contains a boat ramp in the Aaron River Reservoir
Aaron River Reservoir
Aaron River Reservoir is a reservoir mostly in Cohasset, Massachusetts, with small stretches extending into Hingham and Scituate. The outflow of the pond is Aaron River. Most of the reservoir is in the eastern side of Wompatuck State Park. The village of Beechwood lies to the east of the reservoir...
, where kayaks, canoes, and flat-bottomed row boats are allowed. There are a number bicycling trails and paths for riders of all abilities. For those who seek off-road riding there is a vast amount of challenging single track. There is also a large paved trail system which can be enjoyed by riders of all abilities. An abandoned rail spur, linking the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad
Old Colony Railroad
The Old Colony Railroad was a major railroad system, mainly covering southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. It operated from 1845 to 1893. Old Colony trains ran from Boston to points such as Plymouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Newport, Providence, Fitchburg, Lowell and Cape Cod...
line, has recently been converted to a bicycle path, linking Wompatuck to the Cohasset Commuter Rail Station
Cohasset (MBTA station)
Cohasset Station is a rail station on the MBTA Commuter Rail system in Cohasset, Massachusetts. The station, located at 115 Chief Justice Cushing Highway , is the eighth of ten along the MBTA's Greenbush Line, which provides service between Scituate and Boston...
(This rail trail is currently closed.). Upland game bird hunting is allowed in season in the south field area. South field is also a favorite of mountain bikers, as is the rest of the park. Free spring water can be obtained at Mt. Blue Spring, which has been in operation since the mid-19th century.
The park protects forests of the Northeastern coastal forests
Northeastern coastal forests
The Northeastern coastal forests are a temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion of the northeastern United States. The ecoregion covers an area of 34,630 sq miles encompassing the Piedmont and coastal plain of seven states, extending from northern Maryland and Delaware through southeast...
ecoregion
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
.