Harrington Park
The map linked above denotes the boundaries for Harrington Park as of May of 2023. Please stay within park boundaries during your visit and respect park rules. Thank you!
Harrington Park History
In pre-Colonial times Native Americans lived upon this land, but in 1664/1665 Nipmuc members transferred land surrounding Lake Quinsigamond to early settlers. The Colony’s Royal Governor granted land to two of the settlers, Captain John Hull and Francis Willoughby, Deputy Governor of the Colony. Hannah Hull-Sewall came to own her father’s portion with her husband Chief Justice Sewall of Salem Witch Trial notoriety. He later expressed great regret over his involvement in the trials. The Sewalls expanded their property, purchasing the land originally granted to Francis Willoughby, owning a total of 1500 acres here. Over the years, subdivisions, boundaries, and ownership changed many times.
The Young Men’s Christian Association purchased 15 acres of this land in 1958 and operated a day camp where children were taught swimming, boating, crafting, fishing, and other skills. Named for Frank C. Harrington, a Y.M.C.A. executive for many years, the camp was first known as Harrington Conference Center and later referred to as Camp Harrington. Mr. Harrington later provided funding for expansion.
In 2017 a real estate development company purchased the land from the Y.M.C.A. and built several homes in the area. In a 2020 survey, Boylston residents indicated a strong desire to preserve and acquire open and natural spaces. When the opportunity arose, the Greater Worcester Land Trust, Inc. acquired this parcel of 18.36 acres and held it for the Town. At a Town Meeting in December2021, residents unanimously supported the acquisition, funded in part by a PARC grant.
Sewall Pond is spring-fed, flows into Lake Quinsigamond, and is named for Chief Justice Samuel Sewall. Categorized as a ‘Great Pond’ by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this park provides the only public access to its shoreline. As a nod to Camp Harrington nostalgia, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously on the name for this new facility. The Town of Boylston and the Parks and Recreation Commission are pleased to offer this park for the enjoyment of all. Welcome to Harrington Park!
Harrington Park Flora and Fauna Present
On 4/15/2023, a walk-through of Harrington Park was completed with Botanist Bob Wernerehl, bird-watcher Ann Ramminger, and Pam Frechette the Boylston Parks & Recreation Coordinator.
The walk was intended to identify some of the flora and fauna that thrive on the property. The findings are noted below.
Birds heard or seen during the walk:
20 Species observed
Canada Goose, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Killdeer, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Carolina Wren, American Robin, House Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Yellowthroat, Pine Warbler, Northern Cardinal
Other critters either observed or evidence discovered:
Bumblebees, Skunk (skat), Coyote (skat), Beaver (beaver cuts on trees and downed trees, beaver trails), animal dive into the water with a very large splash - most likely a beaver - possibly be a river otter, large frog seen from a distance -most likely a common bull frog, Mallard ducks – mated pair
Plant Life:
First pool of water – down the large path to the right, on the right – not a true vernal pool and the habitat was noted to have been somewhat disturbed by silt from past construction. In this area the following plants were identified:
Invasives: Garlic Mustard, Burning Bush, Japanese Barberry
Natives: Skunk cabbage (early pollinator), Meadow rue, Bloodroot (early pollinator), American false hellebore, Sensitive fern
Walking further through woods toward ‘Frog Pond’, the vernal pool on the property:
Invasive: Asian Honeysuckle
Natives: Beaked Hazelnut, Silky dogwood (along banks of stream), Spotted wintergreen – Pipsissewa, Pennsylvania sedge (understory), White wood aster, American Elm (common in floodplain – 2 side-by-side along stream), Silver Maples
Note: The ‘Frog Pond’ is entirely fenced in – noted inside the fencing.
Invasive: Japanese barberry
Native: White birches (not as many as there used to be in this area), Pine – huge, with the light installed at ‘Frog Pond’ – estimated 110-120 years old, Canada mayflower (understory plant – likes being under pines), Clubmoss (understory pines aka. Common princess pine – not rare, but not as plentiful as it once was), High bush blueberry (Native, can last 100+ years – long life cycle and common on pond edges), Sessile-leaf bellwort – (understory – spring bloom for pollinators)
*Great find down near edge of Sewall Pond just past ‘Frog Pond’*
Native: Marsh Marigolds – already in bloom with bright yellow flowers.
On way back to main path to get down to edge of pond that’s been cleared:
Invasive: Japanese knotweed (most likely what is growing and mowed down in the area near the parking spots)
Native: Shag bark hickory, White Oak
Non-native -: Brown cud weed
Heading down path toward water and near the large mulch pile:
Native - Fire cherry or pin cherry, Woolgrass, Broom sedge bluestem (not common - good for field?), Parasol sedge (could be good for field?), Pin weed (looks like it’s dying – some flower heads with dried seeds), Steeplebush
Water’s edge (clearing near Sewall pond):
Native: Dodder – orange stemmed parasitic plant – has no chlorophyll and grows on other plants. It’s native and non-invasive but can be concerning to those who don’t know what it is. It’s an annual that will die back. Some varieties can be rare. Tough to tell right now which variety it is.
Native: Tag alder (desirable bird plant) with Frankia – common wetland species – good for low nutrient soil – bright pink root – fixes nitrogen
Off to side toward (original) bathhouse
IN WATER: Native: Water starwort indicates good quality water.
Native: Leatherleaf – relative of blueberry – common along bog edges. Important early pollinator plant along pond edges – especially important for bumblebees due to timing of blooms.
Some of the plant communities present on the property include:
Smaller River Flood Plain Community: Skunk Cabbage, Elm trees
Fresh Water Lake Community: Sedges, Skunk Cabbage, Marigolds, Oaks, Pines, Hickory
Other observations by residents that have enjoyed walking the area:
Lady slippers & Purple pitcher plants
Let us know what you discover! Email us pictures at Boylstonparks@boylston-ma.gov