Nickerson State Park: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 41°45′14″N 70°01′19″W / 41.75389°N 70.02194°W / 41.75389; -70.02194
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Geobox Protected Area
{{Infobox protected area
<!-- *** Name section *** -->
| name = Nickerson State Park
| name = Nickerson State Park
| native_name =
| iucn_category =
| other_name =
| iucn_ref =
<!-- images -->
| other_name1 =
| photo = Flax Pond, Nickerson State Park, Brewster MA.jpg
<!-- *** Category *** -->
| photo_caption = Flax Pond
| category_local = [[List of Massachusetts state parks|Massachusetts State Park]]
<!-- map -->
| category_iucn =
| map = USA Massachusetts#USA
<!-- *** Image *** -->
| map_image =
| image = Flax Pond, Nickerson State Park, Brewster MA.jpg
| image_caption = Flax Pond
| map_size =
| map_caption = Location in Massachusetts
<!-- *** Etymology *** --->
| etymology_type = Named for
| relief = 1
<!-- location -->
| etymology =
| location = [[Brewster, Massachusetts]]
<!-- *** Country etc. *** -->
| nearest_city =
| country = United States
| nearest_town =
| state = Massachusetts
| coordinates = {{coord|41|45|14|N|70|01|19|W|display=inline,title}}
| region_type = County
| coords_ref = <ref name=gnis/>
| region = [[Barnstable County, Massachusetts|Barnstable]]
<!-- stats -->
| district_type =
| district =
| length =
| city =
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<!-- *** Geography *** -->
| width =
| location = Route 6A, [[Brewster, Massachusetts]], [[United States|USA]]
| lat_d = 41
| width_mi =
| lat_m = 45
| width_km =
| area_acre = 1,967
| lat_s = 40
| area_ref = <ref name=2012acreagelist/>
| lat_NS = N
| elevation = {{convert|85|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|606849|Nickerson State Forest Park}}</ref>
| long_d = 70
| long_m = 2
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| elevation_imperial = 85
| designation =
<!-- dates & info -->
| elevation_round = 0
| elevation_note =
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| area_unit = acre
| created =
| area_imperial = 1900
| designated =
| area_round = 0
| established = 1934
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| governing_body = [[Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation]]
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<!-- website, embedded -->
| highest_lat_d =
| website = [http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/nickerson-state-park.html Nickerson State Park]
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<!-- *** Nature *** -->
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| free_type = Nearest city
| free = [[Brewster, Massachusetts]]
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<!-- *** Map section *** -->
| map = Massachusetts Locator Map.PNG
| map_caption = Location of Nickerson State Park in Massachusetts
| map_locator = Massachusetts
| map_first = yes
<!-- *** Website *** -->
| website = [http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/nick.htm Nickerson State Park (DCR)]
}}
}}
'''Nickerson State Park''' is a {{convert|1900|acre|ha|-1|adj=on}} park located on [[Cape Cod]] near [[Brewster, Massachusetts|Brewster]], [[Massachusetts]]. The park is managed by the [[Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)|Department of Conservation and Recreation]] (DCR).


'''Nickerson State Park''' is a state-owned, public recreation area of more than {{convert|1900|acre}} located on [[Cape Cod]] in [[Brewster, Massachusetts]]. The park's sandy soil and scrub pines surround many [[kettle (landform)|kettle ponds]] which are dependent on groundwater and precipitation. The largest of these are [[Cliff Pond]] (the largest at {{convert|0.7|mi}} across), [[Flax Pond (Brewster, Massachusetts)|Flax Pond]], Little Cliff Pond, and [[Higgins Pond]]. Ruth Pond, Keeler's Pond, Eel Pond, and Triangle Pond provide additional water habitats.
==Description==
Nickerson's sandy soil and scrub pines surround many [[kettle (landform)|kettle ponds]] which are dependent on groundwater and precipitation. The largest of these are Cliff Pond (the largest at 0.7&nbsp;mi or 1.1&nbsp;km across), Flax Pond, Little Cliff Pond, and Higgins Pond, all of which are stocked yearly with trout.<ref>[http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/trout/trout_waters_sd.htm MassWildlife: Trout Stocked Waters 2009]</ref> Ruth Pond, Keeler's Pond, Eel Pond and Triangle Pond provide additional water habitats. Sprinkled throughout are 420 camp sites.


==History==
There are {{convert|8|mi|km}} of roads, an {{convert|8|mi|km|adj=on}} bicycle path which connects to the [[Cape Cod Rail Trail]] and equestrian trails.
The land composing the park was once part of the estate of Samuel Mayo Nickerson (1830–1914), a native of the area and a [[Chicago]] liquor distiller who made a fortune as one of the founding officers of the [[First National Bank of Chicago]].<ref name=dreihaus/> In 1890, Nickerson built Fieldstone Hall on land overlooking [[Cape Cod Bay]] a mile west of the park to be the home of his son Roland C. Nickerson, Roland's wife Addie, and their three children. Fieldstone Hall was lost to fire in 1906, and a larger mansion was built on the same site. That building subsequently became a seminary and is now a major feature of the Ocean Edge resort.<ref name=oceanedge/>


Roland Nickerson died at age 51 shortly after Fieldstone Hall burned down, his death at the time being ascribed to his heartache at the loss of his home and personal possessions.<ref name=compass/> His son Roland Jr. was a naval lieutenant who died in the [[1918 flu pandemic|1918 influenza epidemic]]. In 1934, Addie Nickerson donated the portion of the estate on the south side of [[Massachusetts Route 6A|Route 6a]] for use as a "state forest park." It became the Commonwealth's first state park and was named in honor of her late husband and late son.<ref name=rmp/>
==Recreational opportunities and facilities==
Nickerson State Park offers:<ref>Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, "[http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/nick.htm Nickerson State Park]"</ref>


==Activities and amenities==
*Accessible beaches, camping, fishing, picnicking and restrooms
*Camping: The park offers more than 400 campsites including cabins and [[yurt]]s.<ref name=dcr/>
*Hiking trails and bike paths
*Trails: In addition to {{convert|8|mi|km}} of roads, the state park has trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback and mountain bike riding, and an {{convert|8|mi|adj=on}} set of bicycle trails that connect to the [[Cape Cod Rail Trail]]. The bicycle trails bring riders to white pine stands, spruce stands, a cedar swamp, pond views, and woodlands.<ref name=bikebook/>
*Year-round ponds stocked with trout
*Fishing: Cliff, Flax, Little Cliff, and Higgins ponds are stocked yearly with trout.<ref name=dcrfish/>
*Boat ramp, canoeing, non-motorized boating and swimming
*Other facilities include a boat ramp, lakes for canoeing and swimming, showers, interpretive programs, and an amphitheater.
*Campsites and [[yurt]] camping; trailer or RV dumping
*There are also wheelchair-accessible beaches, camping, fishing and picnicking facilities and restrooms.
*Showers
*Group day use
*Horseback riding trails
*Seasonal interpretive and recreational programs
*Mountain biking
*Skiing (cross-country)

*An amphitheater


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<references/>
<ref name=2012acreagelist>{{cite web |url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/ld/acreage.pdf |title=2012 Acreage Listing |publisher=Department of Conservation and Recreation |date=April 2012 |access-date=January 19, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name=dcr>{{cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/nickerson-state-park.html |title=Nickerson State Park |work=MassParks |publisher=Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs |access-date=July 13, 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=dreihaus>{{cite web|url=http://www.driehausmuseum.org/press_pdf/6._Samuel_M._Nickerson_Bio_The_Richard_H._Driehaus_Museum.pdf |title=Original Homeowner, Samuel M. Nickerson (1830-1914)|publisher=Driehaus Museum |access-date=September 17, 2015}}</ref>

<ref name=oceanedge>{{cite web |url=http://www.oceanedge.com/about-ocean-edge/ |title=About Ocean Edge |publisher=Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club |access-date=September 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726171111/http://www.oceanedge.com/about%2Docean%2Dedge/ |archive-date=July 26, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=compass>{{cite web|url=http://www.oceanedge.com/pdfs/compass.pdf |title=La Salette: History of a Grand Cape Cod Estate |work=Cape Cod Compass |author=Kathryn Griffin |publisher=Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club |access-date=September 17, 2015}}</ref>

<ref name=rmp>{{cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/stewardship/rmp/nickerson/section7-nick.pdf |title=Section 7: Roland C. Nickerson State Park |work=Resource Management Plan: Nickerson (Cape & Islands) Complex |publisher=Department of Conservation and Recreation |date=June 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2015}}</ref>

<ref name=dcrfish>{{cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/hunting-fishing-wildlife-watching/fishing/southeast-district.html |title=Trout Stocked Waters - Southeast District |publisher=Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs |access-date=July 13, 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=bikebook>{{cite web|url=http://www.capecodbikebook.com/2015/07/nickerson-state-park-trails.html |title=Nickerson State Park Bicycling Trails |publisher=William E. Peace |work=Cape Cod Bike Book |access-date=July 10, 2015}}</ref>

}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/nick.htm DCR park page]
*[http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/nickerson-state-park.html Nickerson State Park] Department of Conservation and Recreation
*[http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/nickerson.gif Trail map]
*[http://www.mass.gov/eea/images/dcr/parks/trailmaps/nickerson.gif Nickerson State Park Trail Map] Department of Conservation and Recreation


{{Protected Areas of Massachusetts}}
{{Protected Areas of Massachusetts}}
{{Massachusetts}}
{{Massachusetts}}


{{authority control}}
[[Category:Massachusetts state parks]]

[[Category:State parks of Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Massachusetts natural resources]]
[[Category:Massachusetts natural resources]]
[[Category:Parks in Barnstable County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Parks in Barnstable County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Campgrounds in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Brewster, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1934]]
[[Category:1934 establishments in Massachusetts]]

Latest revision as of 01:22, 3 August 2023

Nickerson State Park
Flax Pond
Map showing the location of Nickerson State Park
Map showing the location of Nickerson State Park
Location in Massachusetts
Map showing the location of Nickerson State Park
Map showing the location of Nickerson State Park
Nickerson State Park (the United States)
LocationBrewster, Massachusetts
Coordinates41°45′14″N 70°01′19″W / 41.75389°N 70.02194°W / 41.75389; -70.02194[1]
Area1,967 acres (7.96 km2)[2]
Elevation85 ft (26 m)[1]
Established1934
Governing bodyMassachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
WebsiteNickerson State Park

Nickerson State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area of more than 1,900 acres (770 ha) located on Cape Cod in Brewster, Massachusetts. The park's sandy soil and scrub pines surround many kettle ponds which are dependent on groundwater and precipitation. The largest of these are Cliff Pond (the largest at 0.7 miles (1.1 km) across), Flax Pond, Little Cliff Pond, and Higgins Pond. Ruth Pond, Keeler's Pond, Eel Pond, and Triangle Pond provide additional water habitats.

History[edit]

The land composing the park was once part of the estate of Samuel Mayo Nickerson (1830–1914), a native of the area and a Chicago liquor distiller who made a fortune as one of the founding officers of the First National Bank of Chicago.[3] In 1890, Nickerson built Fieldstone Hall on land overlooking Cape Cod Bay a mile west of the park to be the home of his son Roland C. Nickerson, Roland's wife Addie, and their three children. Fieldstone Hall was lost to fire in 1906, and a larger mansion was built on the same site. That building subsequently became a seminary and is now a major feature of the Ocean Edge resort.[4]

Roland Nickerson died at age 51 shortly after Fieldstone Hall burned down, his death at the time being ascribed to his heartache at the loss of his home and personal possessions.[5] His son Roland Jr. was a naval lieutenant who died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. In 1934, Addie Nickerson donated the portion of the estate on the south side of Route 6a for use as a "state forest park." It became the Commonwealth's first state park and was named in honor of her late husband and late son.[6]

Activities and amenities[edit]

  • Camping: The park offers more than 400 campsites including cabins and yurts.[7]
  • Trails: In addition to 8 miles (13 km) of roads, the state park has trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback and mountain bike riding, and an 8-mile (13 km) set of bicycle trails that connect to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The bicycle trails bring riders to white pine stands, spruce stands, a cedar swamp, pond views, and woodlands.[8]
  • Fishing: Cliff, Flax, Little Cliff, and Higgins ponds are stocked yearly with trout.[9]
  • Other facilities include a boat ramp, lakes for canoeing and swimming, showers, interpretive programs, and an amphitheater.
  • There are also wheelchair-accessible beaches, camping, fishing and picnicking facilities and restrooms.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Nickerson State Forest Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "2012 Acreage Listing" (PDF). Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  3. ^ "Original Homeowner, Samuel M. Nickerson (1830-1914)" (PDF). Driehaus Museum. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  4. ^ "About Ocean Edge". Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. Archived from the original on July 26, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  5. ^ Kathryn Griffin. "La Salette: History of a Grand Cape Cod Estate" (PDF). Cape Cod Compass. Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "Section 7: Roland C. Nickerson State Park" (PDF). Resource Management Plan: Nickerson (Cape & Islands) Complex. Department of Conservation and Recreation. June 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  7. ^ "Nickerson State Park". MassParks. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  8. ^ "Nickerson State Park Bicycling Trails". Cape Cod Bike Book. William E. Peace. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  9. ^ "Trout Stocked Waters - Southeast District". Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved July 13, 2013.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nickerson_State_Park&oldid=1168484886"