West Hill Park

On a quiet back road and across an old fieldstone bridge lies West Hill Park, where the West River widens to form a large, natural pool. The park and its many services and activities attract visitors of all ages. The recreation area can be reserved during summer, though guests are invited to walk or cross-country ski during daylight hours at other times of year. The park offers two sandy swimming beaches, nearly 5 miles of nature, mountain biking and hiking trails, a sand volleyball court, an accessible playground, a change house by the beach, bathrooms with flush toilets, grills and picnic areas. Three picnic shelters serve groups of up to 30 or 100 people; two are in the park and the other is near the dam, and they are ideal for graduation parties, family reunions and church or other organization events. Visitors can attend nature programs given by park rangers, and families of all ages can swim in the small natural pool, picnic, hike, bike and play. About 2 miles of hiking trails meander through the woodlands and provide secluded views of the river. Anglers find trout in the main river channel and bass, pickerel and horned pout in the pools, and seasonal hunting for deer, small game and upland birds is permitted in accordance with state laws. The park hosts several special events annually, including the Family Fishing Fair in June and the volunteer-based National Public Lands Day in September. The West River winds through some 567 acres of white pine and red oak forest, broken up by rolling meadows. Red maple swamps and several bogs fill the lowlands while three small brooks feed the river. Red fox, raccoon, deer and an occasional coyote find protection in the woods; open fields attract rabbits, mice, butterflies, hawks and owls; streams and wetlands are home to fish, spring peepers, box turtles and great blue herons. The diverse habitat makes this one of the finest birding areas, with 200 species sighted annually. Spring and fall migrations bring the greatest diversity of species, and spring and summer also yield excellent wildflower viewing. The Blackstone River Valley National Historic Corridor is nearby.