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Myles standish state forest
Myles Standish State Forest is state forest located in the towns of Plymouth and Carver in southeastern Massachusetts, approximately 45 miles (70 km) south of Boston. It is the largest publicly owned recreation area in this part of Massachusetts and is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
Contents
- Myles standish state forest
- Myles standish state forest curlew pond rope swing
- DescriptionEdit
- EcologyEdit
- TreesEdit
- Fruit bearingEdit
- BirdsEdit
- InsectsEdit
- ReptilesEdit
- MammalsEdit
- Activities and amenitiesEdit
- TrailsEdit
- CampingEdit
- PondsEdit
- Three Cornered PondEdit
- ScoutingEdit
- PrisonEdit
- In the newsEdit
- References
Myles standish state forest curlew pond rope swing
DescriptionEdit
The forest is part of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion and consists largely of pitch pine and scrub oak forests—at 26 square miles (67 km2), one of the largest such forests north of Long Island. The forest surrounds 16 lakes and ponds, including several ecologically significant coastal kettle ponds.
EcologyEdit
Species commonly found in Southeast Massachusetts pine barrens:
TreesEdit
Fruit-bearingEdit
BirdsEdit
InsectsEdit
ReptilesEdit
MammalsEdit
Deer
Activities and amenitiesEdit
Recreational uses include swimming, hunting, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and picnicking. Day-use areas are found at College Pond and Fearing Pond. Hunting is allowed during the season, and two Wildlife Management Areas within the forest are stocked with game birds in October and November. In the summer, the park offers interpretive programs, such as pond shore walks and cranberry bog explorations.
TrailsEdit
The forest offers fifteen miles (24 km) of paved bicycle trails, thirty-five miles (56 km) of horse trails, and thirteen miles (21 km) of hiking trails. The "Bicycle Trails of Carver" were included in the Massachusetts Department of Travel and Tourism's list of 1000 great places in Massachusetts.
CampingEdit
Camping is offered at five sites, four of which are located at ponds: Curlew Pond, Fearing Pond, Charge Pond, Barrett Pond. A portion of the Charge Pond area is set aside for equestrian camping.
PondsEdit
The follow table lists the ponds and recreational activities available at each in Myles Standish State Forest.
†East Head Reservoir is owned by the Davison Partners. The property line is located six rods (99 feet) from the high-water mark around the Reservoir. ††Public swimming area was posted for elevated bacteria levels during the 2010 swimming season. yes = FORMAL ACCESS is available for recreational activity. NFA = Recreational activity is permitted, but NO FORMAL ACCESS is available. LA = LIMITED ACCESS for low impact recreational use is permitted, sensitive pond shore habitat. NP = Recreational access NOT PERMITTED, habitat protection area.
Three Cornered PondEdit
Three Cornered Pond is a 14-acre (57,000 m2) pond in the Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The pond is located northeast of New Long Pond and southwest of College Pond. The water quality is impaired due to non-native aquatic plants.
ScoutingEdit
Cachalot Scout Reservation, a Boy Scout camp, encompasses 880 acres (360 ha) surrounding Five Mile Pond adjacent to Myles Standish State Forest. Camp Squanto is also located within Myles Standish State Forest as is Camp Wind-in-the-Pines, a girl scout camp.
PrisonEdit
A state correctional facility, MCI - Plymouth, is also located in Myles Standish State Forest.
In the newsEdit
On May 14, 1977, according to the Plymouth Police Department records, Eric H. Anderson Jr. murdered Ruth Masters (née Ruth Rydberg) while she was riding her bike alone on an isolated trail in the park. He was later found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in Maine State Prison in Warren, Maine.