Lynn Woods Reservation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lynn Woods Historic District
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Walden Pond, the reservation's largest body of water
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lynn, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | Frederick Law Olmsted |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000951 |
| Added to NRHP | September 6, 1996 |
Lynn Woods Reservation is a huge forest park located in Lynn, Massachusetts. It was started in 1881. This amazing park covers about 2,200 acres (which is about 8.9 square kilometers). That's almost one-fifth of the entire city of Lynn!
Different groups in the City of Lynn work together to manage Lynn Woods. These include the Department of Public Works, the Park Commission, and the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission. The park is a very important place for nature, for protecting water sources, and for people to enjoy outdoor fun in eastern Massachusetts.
The main part of the reservation, which is inside Lynn, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it's recognized as a special historic area in the United States. A small part of the park actually stretches into the nearby town of Saugus, Massachusetts.
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Exploring the History of Lynn Woods
For a very long time, the land that is now Lynn Woods has been open to the public. As far back as the 1700s, some southern parts of this area were used as land for animals to graze.
How Lynn Woods Became a Park
In the 1840s, Breed's Pond, which is at the southern end of the reservation, was dammed. This was done to help local industries. Later, in the 1850s, a cool spot called Dungeon Rock became a popular place for tourists to visit.
By the 1860s, people in Lynn needed more water for drinking and for putting out fires. This led to efforts to protect the forests around Breed's Pond and Walden Pond. These forests were important for keeping the water clean.
Protecting the Woodlands
In 1881, a group called the "Trustees for the Free Public Forest" was created. Their job was to look after this important natural area. Then, in 1889, a new Lynn Parks Department was formed. The Trustees joined this new department.
The Parks Department began managing about 1,600 acres of land. This land was used for both water supply and as a park. By 1892, the park grew even bigger, reaching its current size of 2,200 acres.
Fun Activities in the Park
In the 1930s, the Happy Valley Golf Course was built within the park. Also, during this time, many of the roads and trails that you can explore today were developed. These paths make it easy for everyone to enjoy the beauty of Lynn Woods.
