Scenic Treasures on the Taunton River

A man sitting along a boardwalk views a battleship.

I was driving in southeastern Massachusetts this week of Veteran's Day and re-discovered a couple of short accessible trails well worth mentioning for their historical significance.

The first is in Fall River, at Fall River Heritage State Park. Though the visitor center remains closed during the pandemic, the urban waterfront park and its three-quarter mile trail are open. Most helpful of all, the accessible bathroom is open and can be accessed from a separate door on the building's exterior.

Park your vehicle in one of two small parking lots off Davol Street near a community sailing facility or at Battleship Cove on 5 Water Street. This historical area is located very close to I-195 along the Taunton River. A paved and boardwalk trail circles the Heritage Park Visitor Center with a short connecting bridge to Battleship Cove. The ships sitting right there in the cove are quite impressive, as is the highway bridge over the river. It all makes for some very dynamic visuals. The USS Massachusetts is resting here, a well decorated battleship from WWII.

Accessible entrance to upper park and picnic area.

An elevated picnic area with trees is accessible from a sidewalk along Davol street. Most of the tables have been grouped together this time of year. Some benches remain usable and there are plenty more along the boardwalk at the river's edge. I even found a stone checkerboard table and seats. There is plenty to contemplate from this historical location. A few people were out walking on a delightfully warm sunny morning. Spacious walkways allow you to easily maintain safe social distancing.

For a jaunt in the forest further upstream on the Taunton River, visit Dighton Rock State Park, just a 15 minute drive north to the town of Dighton. Here is much older historical feature, a 40 ton boulder with petroglyphs that date back through time. 

Dighton Rock petroglyphs show interconnected designs. 

The boulder rested in the river with a westward exposed face for untold centuries, enticing wayfarers to leave their marks there. And what interesting marks! Many theories about them exist - including Native American, Phoenician, Viking and Portuguese origins - and perhaps all had a hand in the variously styled carvings. Unfortunately, the rock is locked in a museum at the river's edge, so it is not visible to the casual viewer, except by appointment during non-pandemic times. Instead, you have to settle for a stroll along the river and into the woods, looping back to your car in a third of a mile or so.

Start of trail along the Taunton River shows some tree roots.

This walk offers river views about 1/4 of the way, then loops back through a tall oak forest on a wide old road. It is flat and naturally accessible. There are some shallow roots along the river portion. Some wheelchair users may require assistance, but otherwise, this counts as an Easy Walk. Across the river a modern marina is visible, though the boats are currently packed up for winter. With the sun streaming in from the west, it is a pretty spot in the afternoon and a nice place for a picnic. There are a few picnic tables scattered around - others may be packed up for the season. There is also a portapotty in the corner of the parking lot, which at quick glance looked like an ADA unit. I saw only 2 people in the park at closing time.

This picnic table along the river is not wheelchair accessible.

Dighton Rock State Park is located at 3 Berkley Ave., 2 miles off Route 24 via exit 10 west. The park is gated and closes at 4pm. There are a few other trails in the 85 acre park. These head uphill and may present more challenge in terrain, though the high point is at 77 feet. Unfortunately I ran out of daylight and will have to return later.

DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) advocates for people to stay close to home during the pandemic 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:

Dighton Rock Museum has accessible approach.

• 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