Moore State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moore State Park |
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Sawmill at Moore State Park
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 Moore State Park
Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Paxton, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 737 acres (298 ha) |
| Elevation | 307.8 m (1,010 ft) |
| Operator | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Moore State Park |
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Moore State Park Historic District
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| Nearest city | Paxton, Massachusetts |
| Architectural style | Early Republic |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000535 |
| Added to NRHP | May 21, 2004 |
Moore State Park is a cool place to visit in the town of Paxton. It's a big public park, about 737 acres! Here, you can enjoy nature and learn about history. Some parts of the park are even listed as a historic district.
The park has many interesting features. You can see old building foundations and a restored sawmill. There's also a pretty spot called Eames Pond, along with waterfalls and old mill chutes. In spring, the park is full of colorful azaleas, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel flowers. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation takes care of this special park.
Park History
Long ago, in the 1700s and 1800s, this area was a busy place! People built at least five watermills here. These mills used the power of Turkey Hill Brook. This brook rushes down 90 feet over a long stretch of 400 feet. The very first mills, a gristmill (for grinding grain) and a sawmill (for cutting wood), were built around 1747.
You can still see parts of the old mill village today. Look for remnants of a triphammer, a quarry, a schoolhouse, and a tavern. In the early 1900s, the land became a large private estate. Later, big parts of this estate became what we now know as Moore State Park.
Bringing Back Chestnut Trees
In 2003, something exciting happened at the park. Park staff worked with the American Chestnut Foundation. They planted many special chestnut trees. These trees were bred to be strong against a disease called blight. This project is part of a bigger effort to bring healthy American chestnut trees back to the United States.
Things to Do at the Park
Moore State Park offers lots of fun activities for everyone.
- You can go canoeing on Eames Pond.
- It's a great spot for fishing.
- Some areas are open for hunting.
- There are many trails for hiking.
- In winter, you can enjoy cross-country skiing.
- It's also a perfect place for a picnic.
The park also hosts special events. You might find interpretive programs where you can learn more about the park. Sometimes, they even have concerts during certain seasons!
