Chicopee Memorial State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chicopee Memorial State Park
Chicopee Memorial State Park Location in Massachusetts
Location	Chicopee, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States
Area	562 acres (227 ha)
Elevation	194 ft (59 m)
Established	1893
Operator	Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website	Chicopee Memorial State Park

Chicopee Memorial State Park is a public recreation area covering 562 acres (227 ha) in the Burnett Road neighborhood of the city of Chicopee, Massachusetts. The state park is located directly southeast of Westover Air Reserve Base, which is visible from some parts of the park. It is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

History

Once known as the Cooley Brook Reservoir and Watershed, the park was originally the site of reservoirs built in 1896, 1912 and 1926 to provide water for the city of Chicopee. The Civilian Conservation Corps worked in the watershed from 1935 to 1937, adding riprap to the reservoir, planting trees, and creating roads, trails, and pedestrian bridges among other improvements. The state took charge of the site in the 1960s, adding recreational and administrative features.

Activities and amenities

The park has trails for walking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. The former 25-acre (10 ha) reservoir pond is used for swimming and restricted fishing. Other facilities include picnic areas, restrooms, and a bathhouse.

The city's high schools use park trails for cross-country meets. The park is District Headquarters for the Massachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire Control, District 11.