Middlesex Fells Reservation
IUCN Category V - Protected Landscape / Seascape
The Middlesex Fells between the southern and central reservoir
Middlesex Fells Reservation The area, or also simplifies the Fells, is a 2,575 acres (4.2 km ²) of large state park in Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham and Winchester in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and is part of the Metropolitan Park System of Greater Boston. The administrative headquarters of the park is located, including a visitor center (2012 still under construction ) at address 4 Woodland Road in Stoneham.
Background
The park is mainly used for walking, hiking, performing dogs, running, mountain biking, climbing and skiing. In the park there with the Fells Reservoir a reservoir that supplied the city of Winchester formerly with drinking water. The spot Pond is a lake reserve the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for the Quabbin Reservoir, and there are also many smaller pools and ponds that carry water only after the snow melts in the spring. In the summer months can be assigned on the Spot Pond sailing lessons and boat hire. There are also two observation towers, of which the surroundings and the city of Boston can be considered.
Instead of the Fells Reservoir today take over the three reservoirs North, Middle and South the drinking water supply of Winchester. The Fells Reservoir and Spot Pond are part of the Wachusett - water distribution system that supplies the metropolitan area of Greater Boston as one of six primary water systems.
The leading into the park trails can be reached from the slopes Nos. 33 and 34 of Interstate 93.
History
The area around the Middlesex Fells was first explored by John Winthrop, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1632. The land was first used for the timber industry, quarries and the production of ice cream, including inter alia the village Haywardville was built within the present conservation area as a base. There are many factories and mills were built, of which company produced the first vulcanized rubber products. Remains of some of these buildings can be seen even today in the names entered in the NRHP Spot Pond Archeological District, which is located in the area of Virginia Woods of the protected area.
The area was made in 1891 by a donation of Virginia Wood on Charles Eliot the Trustees of Reservations available. In 1893 the state took over the property and pointed him out as a state park.
Recreation and leisure activities
As water can be sailed, be driven with motor boats and canoes fishing. On land there are specially designated mountain bike trails as well as bridle paths, pedestrian paths invite you to walk, hiking and running. There are picnic areas and playgrounds, rock-climbing, in winter there are opportunities for skiing and dog sledding.
Entries in the NRHP
In addition to the status of the State Park several sections of the area are registered in the National Register of Historic Places ( NRHP). The area around the spot Pond east of I -93 is part of the Middlesex Fells Reservoirs Historic District, which paved paths of the park and at its borders are listed as Middlesex Fells Reservation Parkways. The visitor center is located in the historic John Bottume House in Stoneham and is not far from the Metropolitan District Commission Pumping House from the year 1906. Historic relevant archaeological sites in the park are part of the Spot Pond Archeological District. In addition, with the Fells Connector Parkways connecting the park with the Mystic River Reservation in Winchester, also entered outlying streets in the NRHP. This applies analogously to the Lynn Fells Parkway, which connects the park with the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus.
Gallery
Sunset over the South Reservoir, Fall 2009
The middle reservoir seen from the dam from which separates it from the South Reservoir
The John Bottume House, which serves as a visitor center
Bridge over a dam from the 18th century on the Spot Pond Brook