Wompatuck State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wompatuck State Park
Black-and-white warbler in Wompatuck State Park
Wompatuck State Park Location in Massachusetts
Location	Hingham, Cohasset, Norwell, Scituate, Plymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States
Area	3,579 acres (14.48 km2)
Elevation	131 ft (40 m)
Established	1969
Named for	Indian chief Josiah Wompatuck
Governing body	Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website	Wompatuck State Park

Wompatuck State Park is a large park in Massachusetts, USA. It covers about 3,500 acres. Most of the park is in Hingham. Parts of it are also in Cohasset, Norwell, and Scituate.

The park is a great place for outdoor fun. It has a big campground and many trails. You can also get free spring water from Mt. Blue Spring. This spring has been used since the mid-1800s. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation manages the park. They help protect the forests in the area.

Park History: From Military Base to Nature Park

The land where Wompatuck State Park now sits has a long history. It once belonged to a Native American chief named Josiah Wompatuck. He gave the land to English settlers in 1655.

The Naval Ammunition Depot

Later, from 1941 to 1965, the park land was a military base. It was called the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex. This base stored ammunition for the Navy. You can still see over 100 old military bunkers there. Many of these bunkers have been filled in. Some are still open and show parts of the Navy's first nuclear depth charge from the 1950s.

You can also find old military buildings in the park. There is a large network of abandoned railroad tracks too. Most of the old buildings no longer have roofs or windows.

The Whitney Spur Rail Trail

There was a special railroad track called the Whitney Spur. It connected the old Ammunition Depot to another train line. In 2003, some of this land was sold. It was used to build the Cohasset commuter train station.

In return, a new rail trail was built on the old rail line. This trail is about 1.5 miles long. It opened around the same time as the train station in 2007. The trail helps people get from the station right into the park.

For a long time, a gate blocked part of the trail. This was because some old, unsafe buildings were still in that area. In 2014, these buildings were taken down. The gate was removed in November 2014. Now, the trail gives easy access to the park. There are even special parking spots at the station for park visitors.

Fun Activities and Park Features

Wompatuck State Park offers many ways to enjoy nature. It's a great place for families and friends.

Camping and Boating

The park has a large campground. There are 262 campsites available. About 140 of these sites have electricity. You can go camping from mid-April until mid-October.

There is also a boat ramp. This ramp lets you get onto the Aaron River Reservoir. You can use boats that do not have motors, like canoes or kayaks.

Trails for Everyone

Wompatuck State Park has many trails. There are 12 miles of paved paths perfect for biking. You can also find trails for:

• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Horseback riding
• Cross-country skiing

In certain seasons, people can also hunt upland game birds in the South Field area.

Images for kids

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  Whitney Spur Rail Trail in March 2014