Leominster State Forest
Encyclopedia
Leominster State Forest is a Massachusetts
state forest
located in Leominster
, Fitchburg
, Princeton
, Sterling
and Westminster
. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation
.
principally used for mountain biking
and hiking
.
Plants such as mountain laurel are common within the forest, and diverse wildlife is abundant.
The Midstate Trail
runs through the western edge of the forest.
This Forest also houses the District HQ of The Massachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire Control, District 8.
who used the Crow Hill ledges for shelter and for sending smoke signals to neighboring tribes. In the early 18th century, a series of land grants were given to the heirs of soldiers killed in the French and Indian Wars
, by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony
. Many of these parcels became part of the unincorporated settlement known as Notown, almost all of which is part of Leominster State Forest today. In 1838 the lands of Notown were finally incorporated into the towns of Leominster, Fitchburg, Westminster and Princeton. Today, there are numerous cellar holes, stonewalls and fruit trees still visible along the forest roads and trails.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
state forest
State forest
A state forest is a forest that is administered or protected by some agency of a sovereign state.The precise application of the term varies by jurisdiction...
located in Leominster
Leominster, Massachusetts
Leominster is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the second-largest city in Worcester County, with a population of 40,759 at the 2010 census. Leominster is located north of Worcester and west of Boston. Both Route 2 and Route 12 pass through Leominster. Interstate 190,...
, Fitchburg
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
, Princeton
Princeton, Massachusetts
Princeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States.It is bordered on the east by Sterling and Leominster, on the north by Westminster, on the northwest by Hubbardston, on the southwest by Rutland, and on the southeast by Holden....
, Sterling
Sterling, Massachusetts
Sterling is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 7,808 at the 2010 census.- History :Sterling was first settled by Europeans in 1720 and was officially incorporated in 1781....
and Westminster
Westminster, Massachusetts
Westminster is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 7,277.- History :Westminster was first settled in 1737, and was officially incorporated in 1759....
. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation
Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)
The Department of Conservation and Recreation is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, situated in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. It is best known for its parks and parkways. As of May 24, 2011 the Commissioner of the DCR is Edward M. Lambert, Jr...
.
Description
Leominster State Forest is a 4300 acres (17 km²) forestForest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
principally used for mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
.
Plants such as mountain laurel are common within the forest, and diverse wildlife is abundant.
The Midstate Trail
Massachusetts Midstate Trail
The Midstate Trail is a scenic footpath which runs through Worcester County, Massachusetts, from the Rhode Island border to the New Hampshire border, approximately west of Boston. The trail is considered highly accessible, scenic, and remarkably rural despite its proximity to urban Boston...
runs through the western edge of the forest.
This Forest also houses the District HQ of The Massachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire Control, District 8.
History
The forest has a rich history of land use, dating back to Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
who used the Crow Hill ledges for shelter and for sending smoke signals to neighboring tribes. In the early 18th century, a series of land grants were given to the heirs of soldiers killed in the French and Indian Wars
French and Indian Wars
The French and Indian Wars is a name used in the United States for a series of conflicts lasting 74 years in North America that represented colonial events related to the European dynastic wars...
, by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
. Many of these parcels became part of the unincorporated settlement known as Notown, almost all of which is part of Leominster State Forest today. In 1838 the lands of Notown were finally incorporated into the towns of Leominster, Fitchburg, Westminster and Princeton. Today, there are numerous cellar holes, stonewalls and fruit trees still visible along the forest roads and trails.
Recreational Opportunities
- Boating (non-motorized)
- Canoeing
- Educational/Interpretive Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic Site
- Hunting (restricted)
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Restrooms
- Rock Climbing on the Crow HillsCrow HillsThe Crow Hills, located in Massachusetts' Leominster State Forest 2.5 miles northeast of Mount Wachusett, are a single monadnock with a twin summit, and , and a high eastern cliff. The hills are a popular rock climbing, bouldering, and hiking destination. The Midstate Trail traverses the hills....
cliffs - Scenic Viewing Area
- Skiing (Cross-Country)
- Swimming
- Walking Trails
External links
- Park Website: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/lmsf.htm
- Trail Map: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/Leominster.gif