Spencer State Forest: Difference between revisions
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Spencer State Forest is divided among three non-contiguous parcels. The most notable of these, located in south Spencer, is the Howe Pond parcel, an estate formerly belonging to [[Elias Howe]], the inventor of the [[sewing machine]]. The Howe Pond parcel (sometimes referred to as Howe Park) includes a mill pond and dam constructed by the inventor. Swimming is permitted in the pond; lifeguards are present in season. The Howe Pond parcel also includes picnic tables and outdoor grills. It is located off [[Massachusetts Route 31]] via Howe Pond Road. |
Spencer State Forest is divided among three non-contiguous parcels. The most notable of these, located in south Spencer, is the Howe Pond parcel, an estate formerly belonging to [[Elias Howe]], the inventor of the [[sewing machine]]. |
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The Howe family of Spencer did much to make the town famous in the annals of ingenious Americans. William Howe of Spencer developed a wooden truss bridge named for him, his brother, Tyler Howe, patented a spring bed. Their nephew, Elias Howe, Jr., may well have eclipsed them when he invented the lockstitch sewing machine. The Howe Pond parcel (sometimes referred to as Howe Park) includes a mill pond and dam constructed by the inventor. Swimming, once permitted is not currently permitted in the pond; lifeguards are no longer present in season. The Howe Pond parcel also includes picnic tables and outdoor grills. It is located off [[Massachusetts Route 31]] via Howe Pond Road. |
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The 92 mile Mid-State Trail is marked by yellow triangles and extends from Douglas State Forest at the Massachusetts/Rhode Island border in the south to New Hampshire. In Spencer, it enters from Charlton via Four Chimneys Wildlife Area on Borkum Road traversing Spencer State Forest sections on East Charlton Road, Ash Street, then leads off-street through the forest to R Jones Road, where it crosses a primitive field parking lot continuing on through Spencer's newly designated Sibley/Warner Farm conservation lands to Route 9 near the Spencer/Leicester Line. The trail ties Spencer State Forest parcels, Moose Hill and Buck Hill Wildlife Management areas, Sugden Reservoir, Thompson and Browning Ponds, Camp Marshall 4H Camp, Treasure Valley Boy Scout reservation, Sampson's Pebble and leads into Oakham. In Spencer, Mid-State trail parking is roadside at East Charlton and I Capen Roads and in the Buck Hill areas. |
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The trail sections north of Route 9 go through Moose Hill Wildlife Management Area crossing the Scenic Moose Hill levy pond created in the 1960s for flood control. Ski enthusiast/historians will note the former 1960's era Moose Hill Ski area.( http://www.nelsap.org/ma/moosehillma.html) above the levy area. |
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The upper section of Spencer State Forest is in northern Spencer, in the area of Turkey Hill Brook. |
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Areas comprising the Spencer forest and adjacent Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), Howe and Browning Ponds, Sugden Reservoir and the following brooks present an outstanding array of water resources for enjoyment. |
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Turkey Hill Brook flows from Paxton to Spencer in the northeast corner of town. "Dams were erected along the brook to power the wire mills that dotted this area, but the only remaining dam is the one that forms Thompson Pond. The brook joins the Seven Mile River northeast of Pine Grove Cemetery. |
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The Seven Mile River originates in Rutland and was dammed to form Browning Pond. It merges with Turkey Hill Brook and connects to the Quaboag River in East Brookfield. Seven miles from Brookfield, the river served as a landmark when Brookfield was the only settlement between Worcester and the Connecticut Valley. |
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CRANBERRY RIVER flows from Charlton and was dammed to form Cranberry Meadow Pond in the southeast corner of town and dammed again to form Howe Pond at Howe State Park, joining the Seven Mile River near Route 9. |
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The overall geography includes hilly terrain, creeks, wetlands, and transitional [[Oak-hickory forest|oak-hickory]] to [[Northern hardwood forest|northern hardwood]] forest types. |
The overall geography includes hilly terrain, creeks, wetlands, and transitional [[Oak-hickory forest|oak-hickory]] to [[Northern hardwood forest|northern hardwood]] forest types. |
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The South Spencer Rail Trail is a 2 ½‐mile walking trail along an abandoned railroad bed running from South Spencer Road to Chestnut Street, and connects into Spencer State Forest trails. There is lower Howe Pond with benches, fishing and portaged watercraft launching. Trail parking is adjacent to the railroad overpass parking on South Spencer Road. |
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The Spencer Snowbirds Snowmobile Club, a private organization formed in 1972, maintains a network of snowmobile trails throughout the town, crossing both public and private property. Trail riding permits, membership and landowner memberships are detailed at http://www.spencersnowbirds.com/phpweb/ |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 03:10, 13 July 2012
Template:Geobox Protected Area
Spencer State Forest, located in Spencer, Massachusetts, is a 965 acre (391 ha) forest and recreation reserve managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The 92 mile (148 km) Midstate Trail passes through the state forest. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also conducts logging in some parts of the property.
Geography
Spencer State Forest is divided among three non-contiguous parcels. The most notable of these, located in south Spencer, is the Howe Pond parcel, an estate formerly belonging to Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine. The Howe family of Spencer did much to make the town famous in the annals of ingenious Americans. William Howe of Spencer developed a wooden truss bridge named for him, his brother, Tyler Howe, patented a spring bed. Their nephew, Elias Howe, Jr., may well have eclipsed them when he invented the lockstitch sewing machine. The Howe Pond parcel (sometimes referred to as Howe Park) includes a mill pond and dam constructed by the inventor. Swimming, once permitted is not currently permitted in the pond; lifeguards are no longer present in season. The Howe Pond parcel also includes picnic tables and outdoor grills. It is located off Massachusetts Route 31 via Howe Pond Road.
The 92 mile Mid-State Trail is marked by yellow triangles and extends from Douglas State Forest at the Massachusetts/Rhode Island border in the south to New Hampshire. In Spencer, it enters from Charlton via Four Chimneys Wildlife Area on Borkum Road traversing Spencer State Forest sections on East Charlton Road, Ash Street, then leads off-street through the forest to R Jones Road, where it crosses a primitive field parking lot continuing on through Spencer's newly designated Sibley/Warner Farm conservation lands to Route 9 near the Spencer/Leicester Line. The trail ties Spencer State Forest parcels, Moose Hill and Buck Hill Wildlife Management areas, Sugden Reservoir, Thompson and Browning Ponds, Camp Marshall 4H Camp, Treasure Valley Boy Scout reservation, Sampson's Pebble and leads into Oakham. In Spencer, Mid-State trail parking is roadside at East Charlton and I Capen Roads and in the Buck Hill areas.
The trail sections north of Route 9 go through Moose Hill Wildlife Management Area crossing the Scenic Moose Hill levy pond created in the 1960s for flood control. Ski enthusiast/historians will note the former 1960's era Moose Hill Ski area.( http://www.nelsap.org/ma/moosehillma.html) above the levy area. The upper section of Spencer State Forest is in northern Spencer, in the area of Turkey Hill Brook. A primitive lean-to for overnight campers is located on the property atop the 1,014 foot (309 m) drumlin Buck Hill. A parking lot is located off McCormick Road in Spencer.
Areas comprising the Spencer forest and adjacent Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), Howe and Browning Ponds, Sugden Reservoir and the following brooks present an outstanding array of water resources for enjoyment.
Turkey Hill Brook flows from Paxton to Spencer in the northeast corner of town. "Dams were erected along the brook to power the wire mills that dotted this area, but the only remaining dam is the one that forms Thompson Pond. The brook joins the Seven Mile River northeast of Pine Grove Cemetery.
The Seven Mile River originates in Rutland and was dammed to form Browning Pond. It merges with Turkey Hill Brook and connects to the Quaboag River in East Brookfield. Seven miles from Brookfield, the river served as a landmark when Brookfield was the only settlement between Worcester and the Connecticut Valley. CRANBERRY RIVER flows from Charlton and was dammed to form Cranberry Meadow Pond in the southeast corner of town and dammed again to form Howe Pond at Howe State Park, joining the Seven Mile River near Route 9.
The overall geography includes hilly terrain, creeks, wetlands, and transitional oak-hickory to northern hardwood forest types.
The South Spencer Rail Trail is a 2 ½‐mile walking trail along an abandoned railroad bed running from South Spencer Road to Chestnut Street, and connects into Spencer State Forest trails. There is lower Howe Pond with benches, fishing and portaged watercraft launching. Trail parking is adjacent to the railroad overpass parking on South Spencer Road.
The Spencer Snowbirds Snowmobile Club, a private organization formed in 1972, maintains a network of snowmobile trails throughout the town, crossing both public and private property. Trail riding permits, membership and landowner memberships are detailed at http://www.spencersnowbirds.com/phpweb/
References
- The Midstate Trail Guide, 5th edition (2006). Worcester, Massachusetts: The Midstate Trail Committee.
- Spencer State Forest Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
