Connecticut River Greenway State Park

Connecticut River Greenway State Park
Massachusetts State Park
Paddling north on the Connecticut River in Sunderland
Country United States
State Massachusetts
Counties Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire
Coordinates 42°36′27″N 72°32′30″W / 42.60750°N 72.54167°W / 42.60750; -72.54167Coordinates: 42°36′27″N 72°32′30″W / 42.60750°N 72.54167°W / 42.60750; -72.54167
Area 1,048 acres (424 ha) [1]
Biomes Stream, wetland, river, park
Established Unspecified
Management Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Location in Massachusetts
Website: Connecticut River Greenway State Park

Connecticut River Greenway State Park is a Massachusetts state park consisting of separate state land holdings, including open spaces, parks, scenic vistas, archaeological sites, and historic sites, along the Connecticut River in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts.[2] The park includes critical wildlife and plant habitat as well as areas providing public access to the river in its run across the state[3] and is intertwined with other protected land including farmland under state-held agricultural preservation restrictions[4] (a type of conservation easement), municipal and conservation land trust holdings, and state and national wildlife refuges.

History

The Department of Conservation and Recreation acquired most of the parcels over a period of 20 years beginning around 1986, adding to earlier state holdings including Mount Tom State Reservation, Mount Holyoke Range State Park and J.A. Skinner State Park. Much of the DCR's land acquisition for the park was spearheaded by staff person Terry Blunt, of whom the Director of State Parks and Recreation, Priscilla Geigis, said, "It's really been his leadership and his vision and his drive that has helped to coordinate so many different entities, landowners, towns, organizations, to come together and protect this very special place."[5]

River access points

There are over 12 miles of permanently protected shoreline, and numerous access points to the river. The DCR has identified the following places where the river can be tackled:[2]

References

  1. "2012 Acreage Listing" (PDF). Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Connecticut River Greenway State Park". MassParks. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  3. "Map of Connecticut River Greenway State Park". MassParks. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  4. "Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program (APR)". Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  5. Rossi, Dan (21 December 2006). "Blunt receives recognition for work". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Northampton, Mass.
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