Chester-Blandford State Forest is a publicly owned forest with recreational features located in the two
town
A town is a human settlement. Towns are generally larger than villages and smaller than cities, though the criteria to distinguish between them vary considerably in different parts of the world.
Origin and use
The word "town" shares an ori ...
s for which it is named,
Chester
Chester is a cathedral city and the county town of Cheshire, England. It is located on the River Dee, close to the English–Welsh border. With a population of 79,645 in 2011,"2011 Census results: People and Population Profile: Chester Loca ...
and
Blandford,
. The
state forest includes remnants of small mining operations and the 60-foot cascade at Sanderson Brook Falls. It is managed by the
Department of Conservation and Recreation.
[
]
History
The state forest was established in 1924 when local lumber companies sold land to the state. The Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a voluntary government work relief program that ran from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men ages 18–25 and eventually expanded to ages 17–28. The CCC was a major part of ...
was active in the forest from 1934 to 1940. Their work included the construction of a campground, pavilions, trails, ski runs, and the road and bridges that lead to Sanderson Brook Falls.[
]
Activities and amenities
Forest trails are used for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Picnicking, restrooms, fishing, restricted hunting, and snowmobiling are also available.[
]
References
External links
Chester-Blandford State Forest
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Chester-Blandford State Forest Trail Map
Department of Conservation and Recreation
{{Protected Areas of Massachusetts
Massachusetts state forests
Parks in Hampden County, Massachusetts
Civilian Conservation Corps in Massachusetts
Protected areas established in 1924
1924 establishments in Massachusetts
State parks of Massachusetts