Chicopee Memorial State Park: Chicopee Reservoir Loop (Blog Hike #958)

Trails: Asphalt, Blue, and White Trails
Hike Location: Chicopee Memorial State Park
Geographic Location: Chicopee, MA (42.17067, -72.54675)
Length: 3 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2023
Overview: A loose loop around Chicopee Reservoir.
Park Information: https://www.mass.gov/locations/chicopee-memorial-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=946545
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming May 17)

Directions to the trailhead: On the northeast side of Springfield, take I-291 to its north end at the Massachusetts Turnpike (Turnpike exit 51).  Where I-291 ends, continue north on Burnett Road 0.7 miles to the signed park entrance on the left.  Turn left to enter the park, and park in the main parking lot near the picnic shelter and beach.

The hike: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts did not start managing the land that comprises today's Chicopee Memorial State Park until the 1960's, but the land's history as parkland dates all the way back to 1893.  Once known as Cooley Brook Reservoir and Watershed, today's park is the site of three reservoirs dating to 1896, 1912, and 1926 that provide drinking water for the City of Chicopee.  The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted trees, built roads, and laid down trails here from 1935 to 1937 in addition to stabilizing the shores of the reservoirs.

            Visitors to the park today find a fantastic green oasis in the middle of suburban Springfield.  The 562 acre day-use park offers a swimming beach, fishing with restrictions, picnic areas, and many miles of trails open to hikers and mountain bikers.  Many routes are possible through this park's extensive trail system, and the route described here forms a loose loop around the park's main reservoir.  Thus, this hike combines excellent lake views with nice forest and wetland scenery.

Starting the loop

            From the main parking lot, head down the closed paved road that goes west with the beach area and main reservoir on your right.  Soon the asphalt road turns into an asphalt trail as it exits the park's developed area and heads downhill below the Chicopee Reservoir Dam.  Below the dam, the trail curves right and crosses a wetland area, which is a great place to do some bird watching.  Unfortunately, I did this hike in a light rain, and the rain seemed to be keeping most wildlife in obscure dry areas where I could not see them.

Wetland below Chicopee Reservoir Dam

            At 0.6 miles, the asphalt trail forks to form its loop.  To make my hike a little longer, I chose to turn left and start heading clockwise around the loop.  The trail climbs away from the wetland area following what appears to be an old road bed.  Oak trees dominate the forest here, but some pine groves possibly planted by the CCC will also appear.  I saw a somewhat rare black squirrel on this part of the hike.

Climbing away from the wetland

            The trail starts to level out just before you pass under a power line.  Stay with the asphalt trail for now, ignoring dirt mountain bike trails that exit left and right.  At 1.25 miles, the trail curves right as the Westover Air Reserve Base comes into view straight ahead and to the left.  Operated by the United States Air Force, Westover is one of the largest military installations in New England, and it features the longest runway in Massachusetts.  Of course the base is off limits to hikers, so you should not cross the chain link fence that surrounds the base.

Starting the Fenceline Trail

            At 1.6 miles, you pass the south edge of the air reserve base, which in turn is another trail intersection.  If you wanted a short hike or if you wanted to stay on the asphalt, you could continue straight and just hike the asphalt loop, which is designated as this park's Healthy Heart Trail.  To do a full loop around the reservoir and see some of the park's dirt trails, turn left to begin heading east on a trail some maps call the Fenceline Trail.

Hiking the Fenceline Trail

            Marked with blue paint blazes, the aptly-named Fenceline Trail stays close to the air base's chain link fence on the left.  The undulations atop this bluff are gradual, and a couple of views of the reservoir well below you can be had to the right.  While the fenced air base does not make the most inspiring hiking, the going is quite easy.  Just past 2.1 miles, where the fence curves to the left, you want to angle right and descend via eroded trail on a brief moderate grade.  Upon reaching the bottom of the hill, turn right to cross Cooley Brook on a wooden footbridge.

Crossing Cooley Brook

            The remainder of the hike follows white and blue blazes on a wide dirt trail that appears to be an old road.  Cooley Brook sits just through the trees to the right.  After a brief climb, turn right to keep following the white and blue blazes.  The trail narrows, and you reach the headwaters of Chicopee Reservoir as you enter a pleasant pine tree planting.  3 miles into the hike, you return to the picnic area and main parking lot to complete the hike.