Lynn Woods Reservation is the second largest municipal park in the United States.
This 2,200 acre forest reserve consists of ponds, wetlands, streams, deciduous/evergreen
forest and rocky ledge. The ponds provide the drinking water for the residents of Lynn
and surrounding communities. Wildlife abounds in the forest. Well over 100 species of
birds inhabit or seasonally frequent the woods. A large rodent population supports
such predators as hawks, owls and red tailed fox. More than an aquifer, more than a
wildlife preserve, more than a wilderness experience, Lynn Woods is a rare and unique
adventure.
Lynn Woods offers numerous recreational opportunities to suit many interests. Hiking
is one of the most popular activities. There are miles of trails that will lead the hiker
through diverse terrain and scenery.
Stone Tower. is a 48-foot tall field stone tower on the top of Burrill Hill.
It was constructed in 1936 under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Built for fire observation, the tower had a wooden roofed structure constructed on its
top to provide shelter for crews that would man it. Set on the highest point in Lynn,
this rustic fieldstone tower commands an impressive view of Lynn's waterfront, Boston and beyond.
Dungeon Rock. Another important vestige from the 17th century period in Lynn history
involves its connection with pirate lore and pirate treasure.
An often-told tale persists of a pirate ship anchoring along the Saugus River. Pirates
were reported to have rowed ashore and set up camp in Pirate's Glen. Legend has it
that they hid their treasure within a natural cave on a rocky hill in Lynn Woods.
In the year 1658 an earthquake shook Lynn severely. The pirate Thomas Veal was within
his treasure cave at the time. The rock above him splintered and fell in upon him,
entombing him forever with his ill-gotten hoard. From that time onward the spot
has been called Dungeon Rock.
Hiram Marble. In the early 1850s Hiram Marble, a spiritualist from
Charlton, Massachusetts, purchased Dungeon Rock and five surrounding acres and fell
to the task of locating the treasure, which was to consume all of his resources and
the rest of his life.
He brought his family to join him and together they built a house for the Marbles to
dwell in. Marble issued bonds and opened the excavation to tourists in order to
raise money for the project, and many visitors came to view Marble's progress and
accomplishments. Bits of stone and debris from the blasting and digging can still be
seen on the hillside surrounding the tunnel entrance.
Hiram Marble died on November 10, 1868, and his son, Edwin, assumed the responsibility
for finding the treasure. He worked on until his own death in 1880. Neither man
succeeded in his mission, and eventually the rock was left abandoned by the Marble family.
Cyrus Mason Tracy was a self-educated botanist who roamed the wooded areas of
Essex County and recorded specimens of botany and geology that he observed in his travels.
In 1850 he founded the Exploring Circle with four other men. Tracy endeavored to
popularize Lynn Woods, first with naturalists and then with a larger audience. He wrote
glowingly of the woods offering the suggestion that "... a district so near the
metropolis might contain some things worth looking for" Tracy considered the Lynn
forest to be "... the ancient legitimate inheritance of the people of Lynn," and
he set about establishing an organization which would insure that Lynn Woods be
kept free and open inperpetuity. This organization, spearheaded by Tracy, incorporated
as the Trustees of the Free Public Forest. The Indenture of Trust, which
they drafted, was signed on the 6th of December 1881 and was unquestionably among the most
important early efforts to provide permanent recreational space in America.
Rose Garden. During the 1920s Park Superintendent John P. Morrissey established
a large and elaborate Rose Garden rising up in the back of the Superintendent's house
at Pennybrook Road. For over 50 years the Rose Garden was a popular gathering spot and
a scenic backdrop for wedding and special occasion photographs. The garden flourished
until sometime in the early-1970s when financial constraints brought maintenance to a
standstill.
Today the Rose Garden has been restored to its past splendor. On June 11, 1994 the
garden was rededicated in the momory of John P. Morrissey during a formal ceremony.
The project was a coordinated effort between the Friends of Lynn Woods, the City of Lynn
and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental management.
Wolf Pits. During the 17th century wolves were a frequent danger to the lives of the
people and their livestock. Today in the northern section of Lynn Woods there still
exist narrow, rectangular, stone-lined holes, thought to be the remnants of the
wolf traps.
There is an old folk tale of an Indian woman falling into one of these baited traps
and finding herself face to face with an incarcerated wolf. According to the story,
they spent the night cowering in their respective corners in terror until
help arrived in the morning.
Incorporated in 1990, the Friends of Lynn Woods. is a non-profit organization
whose purpose is to insure the perpetual existence of the Lynn Woods Reservation. Its
goal is to protect the woods from development and exploitation, to maintain the
woods as a natural and unspoiled forest preserve, and to promote appropriate park
usage. Through outreach programs the group educates adults and children about the
environmental values of the reservation. Volunteerism is encouraged and membership
in the organization is open to all. For more information please write:
Friends of Lynn Woods
P.O. Box 8216
Lynn, MA 01904