Photo By Andrew Stamer | A group of friends play disc golf, one of many popular recreation activities at Tully...... read more read more
Story by Jess Levenson, Pathways intern, Public Affairs
CONCORD, Mass. - In New England, summer is an annual gift that always retains its sheen and never disappoints, a tradition that the Corps contributes to by providing New Englanders access to pristine family-based recreational facilities co-located with its dams and flood-control projects throughout the region.
The New England District provides outdoor recreational opportunities at each of the 31 Corps-operated flood risk management reservoirs within Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
According to the National Recreation and Park Association, “Water is the number one recreation attraction in America … swimming in lakes, streams and oceans is ranked among the top ten recreation activities; lakes and oceans remain the top vacation destination in America. Whether one uses aquatic resources to swim, boat, ski, fish or simply take advantage of surrounding resources such as bicycle paths, walkways and hiking trails, water is a recreation resource that offers rest, relaxation, fun and fitness.”
Here is a snapshot of what to look forward to at the sites.
The recreational facilities in Connecticut are located at Black Rock Lake, Colebrook River Lake, Hancock Brook Lake, Hop Brook Lake, Mansfield Hollow Lake, Northfield Brook Lake, Thomaston Dam, and West Thompson Lake. Each facility offers fishing and supports warm-water fish species like trout and bass. Hancock Brook Lake and Thomaston Dam also offer remote control model aircraft fields. Various sporting activities at the sites include volleyball, disc golf, and horseshoes.
Barre Falls Dam, Birch Hill Dam, Buffumville Lake, the Cape Cod Canal, Charles River Natural Valley Storage Area, Conant Brook Dam, East Brimfield Lake, Hodges Village Dam, Knightville Dam, Littleville Lake, Tully Lake, West Hill Dam, and Westville Lake are located in Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Canal has 13.5 miles of paved roads, useful for bicycling, in-line skating, jogging, and more. The canal itself provides an attractive view of traveling tugs, container ships, and luxury yachts. Additionally, the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center has educational films, interactive exhibits, live radar, and a retired 41-foot patrol boat. Fishing is available at all of the Massachusetts sites with the proper license. Sporting activities include mountain and dirt biking, canoeing, disc golf, and volleyball. West Hill Dam has a wheelchair accessible playground and handicap accessible parking. Conant Brook Dam even features horseback riding, as do other sites.
The sites in New Hampshire are Blackwater Dam, Edward MacDowell Lake, Franklin Falls Dam, Hopkinton-Everett Lakes, Otter Brook Lake and Surry Mountain Lake. Sporting activities include hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and volleyball. Franklin Falls Dam includes Profile Falls, which presents a beautiful waterfall. Hopkinton-Everett Lake has both a swimming beach and a model airplane flying field.
When the public visits Vermont, they can travel to Ball Mountain Lake, North Hartland Lake, North Springfield Lake, Townshend Lake and Union Village Dam. Ball Mountain Lake has Atlantic Salmon fishing. There are trails, volleyball courts, basketball courts, and playgrounds all in Vermont, and visitors can look forward to scenic views and a wealth of enjoyment.
Interpretive programs are scheduled at many recreation areas. Programs may include visits to local dams, sessions on natural science, wildlife, local history and recreation safety, Junior Park Ranger programs, and more. Visitors are also attracted to special events, like fishing tournaments, sailing regattas, arts and crafts festivals and scouting activities.
For more information, visit the online brochure at http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/employees/vtn/pdfs/recreation.pdf.
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2013 16:56 |
| Story ID: | 109404 |
| Location: | CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 188 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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