State Park near Wheaton offers recreation
Taking advantage of everything our local community has to offer
Peter Ginsbury '08
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Commentary
Ever wish Wheaton had some more opportunities to get outside and get away from campus for a bit?
Well there is 1700 acres of that very freedom you seek only about 20 minutes from us. Borderland State Park is located about eleven miles away which on average may take about 40 minutes to bike if that's your forte.
Recreational opportunities include canoeing (or other non-motorized boating) and fishing on the huge pond they have there. They also have a very lengthy system of awesome trails for hiking, horseback riding, or just strolling around the pond checking out the wildlife.
If you're into mountain biking there's a NEMBA (New England Mountain. Bike Association) certified trail at the north end of the park and plenty of huge rocks with chalked up routes for bouldering.
Wheaton's Outdoors Club as well as the Think Global, Live Local House certainly advocate getting off campus frequently and utilizing this amazing playground right down the road. The Outdoors Club will be taking advantage of Borderland more in the near future with bouldering day trips and other righteous activities, so keep your ear to the ground for news on that.
Getting there is a breeze: From Wheaton, drive down Rt. 123 toward lower campus and the Trinitarian church. Follow Rt. 123 until you get to the intersection with Rt. 106. Take a right at that intersection and keep your head up because only a couple hundred yards down that road is a left turn with a "Borderland State Park" sign onto Poquanticut Ave. After about a mile the road will fork, bear to the left onto Massapoag Ave. and follow the signs to the park, approximately another two miles. The entrance will be on your right.
It costs two dollars officially to get in but you fight the system a bit by parking on the side of the road across the street. Also, remember to always carpool when possible and not forget that it's a pretty sweet little bike ride too; and bikers get in free. The park is open from 8am to sunset and the visitors' center with bathrooms is open daily. You can also pick up free trail maps at the visitor's center or 22 Howard, the Think Global, Live Local House. So get out there while it's still warm outside and always remember to support your local community!
Well there is 1700 acres of that very freedom you seek only about 20 minutes from us. Borderland State Park is located about eleven miles away which on average may take about 40 minutes to bike if that's your forte.
Recreational opportunities include canoeing (or other non-motorized boating) and fishing on the huge pond they have there. They also have a very lengthy system of awesome trails for hiking, horseback riding, or just strolling around the pond checking out the wildlife.
If you're into mountain biking there's a NEMBA (New England Mountain. Bike Association) certified trail at the north end of the park and plenty of huge rocks with chalked up routes for bouldering.
Wheaton's Outdoors Club as well as the Think Global, Live Local House certainly advocate getting off campus frequently and utilizing this amazing playground right down the road. The Outdoors Club will be taking advantage of Borderland more in the near future with bouldering day trips and other righteous activities, so keep your ear to the ground for news on that.
Getting there is a breeze: From Wheaton, drive down Rt. 123 toward lower campus and the Trinitarian church. Follow Rt. 123 until you get to the intersection with Rt. 106. Take a right at that intersection and keep your head up because only a couple hundred yards down that road is a left turn with a "Borderland State Park" sign onto Poquanticut Ave. After about a mile the road will fork, bear to the left onto Massapoag Ave. and follow the signs to the park, approximately another two miles. The entrance will be on your right.
It costs two dollars officially to get in but you fight the system a bit by parking on the side of the road across the street. Also, remember to always carpool when possible and not forget that it's a pretty sweet little bike ride too; and bikers get in free. The park is open from 8am to sunset and the visitors' center with bathrooms is open daily. You can also pick up free trail maps at the visitor's center or 22 Howard, the Think Global, Live Local House. So get out there while it's still warm outside and always remember to support your local community!
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