Callahan State Park

Raymond J. Callahan State Park
Massachusetts State Park
Eagle Pond
Named for: A local journalist[1]
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Middlesex
Municipalities Framingham, Marlborough
Elevation 410 ft (125 m) [2]
Coordinates 42°20′35″N 71°26′55″W / 42.34306°N 71.44861°W / 42.34306; -71.44861Coordinates: 42°20′35″N 71°26′55″W / 42.34306°N 71.44861°W / 42.34306; -71.44861 [2]
Area 958 acres (388 ha) [3]
Established 1970
Management Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Location in Massachusetts
Website: Callahan State Park

Callahan State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area located in the town of Framingham and the city of Marlborough, Massachusetts. The state park was named in honor of former newspaper editor Raymond J. Callahan by an act of the Massachusetts legislature in 1971.[1] The day-use park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.[4]

Activities and amenities

There are three parking lots for Callahan State Park. The two in Framingham are located on Millwood Street and Edmands Road. The other lot is located on Broadmeadow Road in Marlborough.[5] The park has 7 miles (11 km) of marked trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and equestrian use.[4] Visitors can also fly kites atop the Earthen Dam, picnic at the Edmands road lot, and look for two chimneys in the woods.

Flora and fauna

The park is home to a wide variety of trees both coniferous and deciduous. Wildlife spotted at Callahan State Park include snapping turtles, spotted turtles, red bellied turtles, white tail deer, garter and water snakes, tree frogs, most New England frog and toad varieties, minks, fisher cat, red fox, coyote, largemouth bass at Eagle Pond, various common trout, pumpkin seeds and blue gills, herons, egrets, bobolinks, goldfinches, orioles, red tail hawks, mocking birds, sparrows, swifts, swallows, grackles, cow birds, cat birds, barred owl, other various birds of prey, robins, cardinals, blue jays and other New England birds. Deer flies, ticks, and mosquitoes are common. Garter snakes can be seen basking on the hot dirt paths in spring and summer.

Warnings

Caution in the park is advised, as sightings of wildlife including coyotes and large deer are not unheard of. Because of the large deer and other wildlife population, pets should stay on trails and avoid other animals fecal matter because of parasites, notably mange. Pets who harass wildlife are discouraged; if your dog chases deer, don't let it off leash. Hikers should come with insect repellent. Visitors should be aware of the time of day they are entering, as the thick woods become dark long before sunset. All motorized vehicles are prohibited. Bikers are advised to make themselves known to hikers on trails in advance and show proper etiquette. Horseback riders are required to keep their horses under control at all times. Dogs are required to be on-leash in all parking lots, on the Earthen Dam, and any borderline trails including: Foxhunt, Pipeline, Coco Ridge, Pinecone, Hawk, Healthy Heart and a portion of Rocky Road. Pets MUST BE picked up after and kept under control at all times.

References

  1. 1 2 Massachusetts (July 1, 1971). "An act designating certain state land in the town of Framingham as the Raymond J. Callahan park" (PDF). Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Richard Callahan State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  3. "2012 Acreage Listing" (PDF). Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Callahan State Park". MassParks. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  5. "Trail Map" (PDF). MassParks: Callahan State Park. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
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