Chicopee Reservoir Path and Healthy Heart Trail

Approaching the beach

If you live in the Springfield area, the Reservoir Path at Chicopee Memorial State Park is a wheelchair accessible getaway to a natural setting. With fall coming, this park offers a great place to watch the leaves change color along the water.

Chicopee Memorial State Park is located east of Springfield just off exit 6 on the Mass Pike. The address is 570 Burnett Road, Chicopee, MA. The park is usually quite busy in the summer, but visitation  tapers off by mid-August. When I was there two weeks ago, only a few people were sunning themselves on the beach and a few families and individuals were out on trails. Most people were not wearing masks, but this did not present an issue as the trails are very wide. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Wheelchair access to the beach

From the main parking area you can access a paved road that is closed off to vehicular traffic. The first 400 feet is a 5% grade downward towards the bath house for the beach. This is the main consideration for doing this trail as some people in wheelchairs may need assistance to manage this extensive mild grade. Otherwise, the 1/2 mile path along the reservoir is flat, with a woodland on one side and the reservoir on the other. You will pass the beach with a wheelchair accessible ramp to the sand. People may be fishing along the banks, which are well away from the trail. Random benches are located well off the trail too. There are no benches right along the trail. For those who like or need to sit along the way, this may present a problem, unless it is possible to bring along a folding chair or two.

Approaching the dam

As you stroll along the path, you will come alongside the reservoir dam which is an interesting site, and after this the sounds of rushing water can be heard through the trees. Shortly thereafter, the trail will come to a turn to the right that proceeds downhill at a 15% grade for 75 feet. You may be able to see a bridge at the bottom of this run, which is over the spillway. As this grade may be prohibitive for some, it could be advisable to turn around before this downhill section to return. Others may want to go down to the spillway bridge. In this section of the park you can hear the Mass Pike. I found this an interesting audio landmark. Hearing people strolling the Reservoir Path or the Healthy Heart Trail mentioned next can use this sound to navigate - hikers with visual impairments are likely to be able to gauge their location and proximity by the volume of sound.

View from spillway bridge

Anyone who is ambulatory with plenty of energy and stamina might like to consider the Healthy Heart trail, which starts just beyond the spillway bridge. This loop trail is 1.5 miles. Despite being entirely paved, this trail is not an Easy Walk. Whichever side of the loop you start on, you will soon encounter a significant lengthy uphill climb with grades reaching 15-18%. The loop goes up and around a wide forested knoll, and once up there, half the trail is flat, with one bench mid-way. At it's far side the trail passes alongside the Chicopee Air Force Base, with a fence line and open field visible through the trees. This would be a great place to hike if you can handle the terrain and distance but need to avoid roots and rocks - the 12 foot wide road is newly paved. I saw a large family with several kids and their dog walking here - it is a great place to exercise kids and be among tall pines and oaks. Well-used mountain bike trails lead off the pavement into the woods, but I did not explore these and they are not on the park map.

Healthy Heart Trail

DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) advocates for people to stay close to home and visit parks within walking distance or a short drive. If you plan to venture further afield, as well as on any outing, please protect yourself and others. In addition to following safe practices outlined by the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, please be sure to follow these additional DCR guidelines for safe park visiting:

• Minimize outdoor recreational time to limit potential exposure to COVID-19;
• Stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of ten or more people;
• Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals;
• Administer healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds;
• Participate in only non-contact recreational activities;
• Leave a park or area should large gatherings begin to build; and,
• Stay home if ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population