Directions: Click here for Google map
On a beautiful autumn day, my boyfriend and I decided to pack up the dog and go do some geocaching. I picked out Chandler Hovey Park at Marblehead Neck because it looked like a beautiful spot, it has a parking lot and dogs are allowed. Well, let me tell you, beautiful is an understatement!
As a reviewer on Yelp stated, this park is "a little piece of heaven on earth". I can't think of a better way to describe it myself. It is, in fact, quite little. You can walk the whole park in about 5 minutes. But the view, with its rocky coastline, gentle waves and bobbing sailboats, is just breathtaking. You could come here to relax, clear your mind, have a picnic, find a geocache! Our dog, Cooper, who is usually full of energy, was quite content to lie down and watch the boats go by.
Marblehead is a sailing mecca and a picturesque town with many stunning 18th century homes. We enjoyed the drive there almost as much as the park itself! From the park, you can see the shorelines of Beverly and Manchester-by-the-Sea. There are lots of pavilions, picnic tables, benches, restrooms, and parking spaces provided. The land was originally owned by the U.S. Government, but was purchased in 1948 by Marblehead resident Chandler Hovey, who donated it to the town. It is also the location of the Marblehead Light Tower, a skeletal structure that replaced the original 1835 brick and wood tower. It is the only tower of its kind in New England and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can find more information about Marblehead Light by clicking here. For park information, click here.
Dogs are required to be leashed in the park.
Information sources: Newenglandlighthouses.net, Marblehead.org
Here are the positive features:
- Calm, quiet area with beautiful ocean views
- Free parking lot
- Restrooms (closed for the winter)
- Doggie bags are provided in case you forget to bring one
- Picnic tables, pavilions, benches, trash barrels
- Gorgeous drive along the shoreline
- We didn't notice any ticks or other bugs
- A lovely little piece of New England history
- The park is quite small, so you won't be hiking around much to explore
No comments:
Post a Comment