Salisbury Beach State Reservation

Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Massachusetts State Park
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Essex
Town Salisbury
River Merrimack River
Elevation 10 ft (3 m) [1]
Coordinates 42°49′35.4″N 70°49′2.8″W / 42.826500°N 70.817444°W / 42.826500; -70.817444Coordinates: 42°49′35.4″N 70°49′2.8″W / 42.826500°N 70.817444°W / 42.826500; -70.817444
Area 355 acres (144 ha) [2]
Established 1931[3]
Management Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Location in Massachusetts
Website: Salisbury Beach State Reservation

Salisbury Beach State Reservation is a state-owned, public recreation area on the Atlantic Ocean in the town of Salisbury, Massachusetts, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.[4] It is one of the most heavily utilized state parks in the Commonwealth, with "an annual attendance rate of over one million visitors."[5]

History

The land was acquired for use as a state park in 1931.[3] It saw improvements in the following decade done by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps.[6] The reservation came under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1969.[5] Continuing park improvements include the construction of a new jetty in 2015.[4]

Wildlife

Notable wildlife includes harbor seals, which are often found Badgers Rocks in the Merrimack River in the fall and winter. Birds that can be sighted include black ducks, green-winged teal, and great blue herons, along with pectoral, solitary, and least sandpipers.[5] "White-winged and surf scoters can be seen flying low over open water or bobbing in loose flocks among the offshore waves."[7]

Activities and amenities

References

  1. ↑ "Salisbury Beach State Reservation". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. ↑ "2012 Acreage Listing" (PDF). Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Massachusetts (June 30, 1931). "Chapter 442. An act ... authorizing the taking for maintenance as a state reservation of certain parcels of land at Salisbury Beach" (PDF). Acts, 1931. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Salisbury Beach State Reservation". MassParks. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "Salisbury Beach State Reservation Barrier Beach Management Plan" (PDF). Department of Conservation and Recreation. September 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  6. ↑ Shary Page Berg (1999). Beth McKinney, ed. "The Civilian Conservation Corps: A Statewide Survey of Civilian Conservation Corps Resources". Massachusetts Office of Historic Resources. p. 41. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Salisbury Beach State Reservation". Wildlife Viewing Areas. Watchable Wildlife, Inc. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Salisbury Beach Visitor's Guide". Retrieved August 5, 2013.
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