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Date: 6/25/2021
HUNTINGTON – The gates were closed until further notice over the weekend of June 19 and 20 at C. M. Gardner State Park on Route 112 North in Huntington due to an act of vandalism.
According to staff on site, vandals had tipped over the porta- potties causing a biohazard and requiring days of cleanup. The staff person at the park said it would reopen once it has been cleaned up.
Gardner is an answer to people who want to escape the heat and legally spend the day by the river. There are picnic areas and grills, porta-potties and dumpsters. The park has staff onsite who clean up every morning and evening.
A beach area at Gardner allows people to enjoy the cool breeze of the scenic Westfield River, where bald eagles may be seen flying by. While in summer the river is shallow and doesn’t offer much swimming – which is not allowed – canoes and kayaks may be launched there, and some people bring inner tubes to float in. Fishing is also permitted.
There are also walking trails that wind down the river, and dogs on leashes are welcome.
Many other pull-off sites along the river do not have any of these amenities and are posted for one hour parking only. People who start fires or bring grills there have a chance of being told to leave by state police before lunch is ready. There are also no facilities and no trash collection at other sites, so anyone visiting must bring trash bags and haul it away with them or face fines.
Daily parking fees at Gardner for Massachusetts residents are $5, and for non-residents $20. Annual parking passes that will get you into all state parks are available for $60 for Massachusetts residents, and senior lifetime passes are also available for $10. Annual and lifetime passes may be purchased online at www.mass.gov/how-to/purchase-an-annual-parking-pass-for-massachusetts-state-parks. C.M. Gardner State Park is normally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and is usually packed on weekends, so an early arrival is necessary. Parking spaces are more available during the week.