Callahan State Park
Pond
Eagle Pond
Callahan State Park is located in Massachusetts
Callahan State Park
Callahan State Park
Location in Massachusetts
Callahan State Park is located in the United States
Callahan State Park
Callahan State Park
Callahan State Park (the United States)
LocationFramingham and Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates42°19′55″N 71°28′57″W / 42.3318240°N 71.4824539°W / 42.3318240; -71.4824539[1]
Area958 acres (388 ha)[2]
Elevation509 ft (155 m)[1]
Established1970
Administered byMassachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Named forNewspaperman Raymond J. Callahan
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Callahan State Park is a public recreation area covering 958 acres (388 ha) mostly in Framingham and Marlborough, Massachusetts, with a small section in the adjoining town of Southborough.[3] The state park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.[4]

History

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The park opened with 435 acres in 1970.[5] It was officially named in honor of local newspaperman Raymond J. Callahan by an act of the Massachusetts legislature in 1971.[6]

Flora and fauna

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Callahan State Park, Framingham, Massachusetts

The park is home to a wide variety of trees both coniferous and deciduous. Wildlife include snapping turtles, spotted turtles, red bellied turtles, white tail deer, water snakes, tree frogs, most New England frog and toad varieties, minks, fisher cat, red fox, coyote, largemouth bass at Eagle Pond, various common trout, sunfish and blue gills, herons, egrets, bobolinks, goldfinches, orioles, red tail hawks, mocking birds, sparrows, swifts, swallows, grackles, cow birds, cat birds, barred owl, other various birds of prey, robins, cardinals, and blue jays. Deer flies, ticks, and mosquitoes are common. Garter snakes can be seen basking on dirt paths in spring and summer.

Activities and amenities

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The park has 7 miles (11 km) of trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.[4] Dog walking is a common activity.[7] The Bay Circuit Trail crosses through the park. Parking areas are situated on Millwood Street, Edmands Road, and Broadmeadow Road.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Gibbs Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "2012 Acreage Listing". Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  3. ^ "Trail Map". Callahan State Park. Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Callahan State Park". Department of Conservation and Recreation. June 30, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Harris, Randy. "A Timeline of Framingham History". Framingham.com. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  6. ^ "Chapter 489" (PDF). Acts, 1971. Massachusetts Legislature. July 1, 1971. p. 343. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  7. ^ "Callahan State Park". Callahan Dog Owners Group. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  8. ^ "Callahan State Park". New England Mountain Bike Association. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
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