Dunn Pond State Park
Route 101, Gardner, MA978-632-7897
With its 20-acre pond and 120 acres of woodlands, Dunn State Park is a very accessible outdoor recreation area. Besides traditional winter outdoor recreation opportunities like winter hiking, ice fishing and ice skating (when conditions allow), the park also offers miles of wheelchair accessible trails, accessible playgrounds and accessible picnic tables. The Visitor Center near the pond offers accessible bathrooms as well as a giant fireplace. During the winter, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Access Office also offers "Access to Snow" and other programs designed to allow people with disabilities enjoy winter recreation. Sit skis, sled hockey and other assistive equipment are available for park visitors to use. Dunn Park features an accessible woodland trail. For more information about these and other park programs, recreational happenings or the park in general, call park staff at 978-630-1497.
Directions: Located in north-central Massachuseets. Take Route 2 to exit 24 (Route 140 north), left at second light onto Route 101 south. Park is on the left.
Great Brook Farm State Park
Lowell Road, Carlisle978-369-6312
Great Brook Farm State Park is located on a beautiful 1000-acre tract of farmland about 25 miles northwest of Boston. Much of the land is still an active dairy farm, kept as an example of an agrarian way of life. During the winter, 12 miles of groomed cross country ski trails are open for use for a minimal fee (rental ski equipment and lessons are available and sit skis will soon be offered for people with disabilities). Twice per week the trails are open for night skiing. There are also 5 miles of ungroomed trails available for hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. No snowmobiles are allowed in the park. For more information on the cross country-skiing program call 978-369-7486.
Directions: I-495 to Route 110 (Chelmsford), Route 4 (Bedford), right at the fork, look for signs.
Douglas State Forest
Wallum Lake Road, Douglas(508) 476-7872
Douglas State Forest is a 4,640-acre facility located in the Blackstone Valley area of south central Massachusetts. Picturesque Wallum Lake, an interstate pond between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, is one of the few lakes that stocks salmon. Ice fishermen find it an outstanding location for catching salmon and trout. The state forest offers excellent trails for cross country skiing and snowmobiling. The facility is located at the site of a former "ice house," and the staff occasionally sponsor ice harvesting demonstrations. Plowed parking access is available at the park boat ramp on Route 16. Additional parking is available at the trailhead parking lot, Wallis Street parking lot, and South Street at the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. The restroom is located at the boat ramp at Wallum Lake.
Directions: I-90 (Mass Turnpike) to exit 10, I-395 south, Route 16 east for 5 miles, follow signs.
Call DCR’s Access Office (413-545-5353 or 413-577-2200-TTY) for more information on accessible winter recreation programs in the Massachusetts State Forests and Parks.
