Ellisville Harbor Easy Walk to Rare Coastal Views

A flat, dirt trail through the woods.

 Guest Post! With permission for our Easy Walk friend, Marjorie Turner Hollman, here is her excellent post about an opportunity to experience an undeveloped coastal area and observe seals near Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Please note this is not a wheelchair accessible trail but does offer an easy walk to an overlook.                                                                                                                                      This was our second visit to Ellisville Harbor State Park in Plymouth, MA. On our first visit in August, we were led to believe the path to the shoreline was at least a mile. Since my “on foot” range is about two miles, this would leave no energy for actually walking on the beach. We chose to head on, and ended up at Shifting Lots Preserve, another open space quite nearby. We returned to the state park on a cool day in December, and decided to try reaching the beach. Turns out, the trail is closer to a half mile out, well within my capabilities when the weather is cool outside.

Cape Cod's Crosby Landing - A Special Spot of Natural Beauty

 

Cairn and vegetation along Namskaket Sea Path.

       A lesser known part of Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA is Crosby Landing. While not a designated accessible area it is worth considering a visit, especially if you have someone to assist you if you use a wheelchair. You may be surprised to find that just past a short stretch of soft sand there is a natural hardpacked trail that parallels the beach for a half mile or so, with spectacular bayside views of marsh and tidal flats. It is called the Namskaket Sea Path. The trail width is just wide enough for wheelchair passage though dune vegetation.

        To get there, almost opposite the main entrance to Nickerson State Park, there is a short drive to the beach parking lot at the end of Crosby Lane. Along this paved lane, you'll pass a beautiful old estate, Crosby Mansion. In the lot there is one designated accessible parking space. 

Wheelchair Accessible Trails and Outings on Cape Cod

Fall is a fabulous time to visit Cape Cod - the weather is often milder than on the mainland and the crowds tend to thin out. I just spent Columbus Day weekend in the mid-cape area and discovered that there are quite a few wheelchair accessible trail outings available to those seeking quiet time in nature. Freshwater ponds and wetlands, cedar swamps, and salt marshes are just some of the exciting options to explore. You never know what you'll find on the way to such places too. I lucked out and came upon a cranberry harvest along the roadside!

Key information for visitors with disabilities to Cape Cod include two foundational opportunities. The 22 mile Cape Cod Rail Trail offers a paved linear bike trail through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans  Eastham and Wellfleet, passing through Nickerson State Park about mid-way in Brewster. Both of these state parks offer accessible opportunities managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Lake Park in Worcester Provides One-way Trail Loop

Thanks again to Laila Soleimani for her post!

I visited Lake Park, part of Quinsigamond State Park, on a hot summer Friday afternoon. Located at 283 Lake Avenue in Worcester, this urban park is across the street from Buffone Skating Arena, with tennis courts visible from the road which you will pass on your right as you pull into the parking lot. There are several accessible parking spots here: 2 in front of the tennis courts, 4 across from the trailhead, and 4 more by the swim beach. I was inspired to visit Lake Park after hearing there was a one-way trail loop system implemented in an effort to reduce contact with other trail users and promote social distancing while still being active outdoors.  You may also want to visit nearby Regatta Point at 10 N. Lake Ave. for views of Lake Quinsigamond. Both locations constitute Quinsigamond State Park.

Dunn State Park Offers Accessible Trails and More

A walk in the woods can be refreshment for the soul, even close to civilization. In north central Massachusetts, Dunn State Park offers a wheelchair accessible excursion into the woods and more. It's a good day trip for locals in Gardner and the surrounding area - also easily accessible off of Route 2. Bring a picnic and your bathing suit in case you are inspired to take a dip from the beach. Dunn State Park is popular for fishing and has 2 accessible fishing docks.

I was there a few times recently this summer. Yesterday was partially overcast and sometimes sunny, with temperatures in the low seventies. The park was surprisingly quiet, with only a handful of people around. When I was there in June during a heat wave, the beach was busy with families and kids. On any weekday it seems - and park staff verified this - the accessible Woodland Trail has few hikers during the late morning and afternoon. Most people hike the mile loop around the pond, which is not wheelchair accessible - although if you park at the Betty Springs Road entrance, there are 2 accessible parking spots and an accessible fishing pier, and the trail there is navigable by wheelchair for a ways.