542 Liberty St, Hanson, MA 02341, USA
Owned By: Town of Hanson
Small pond near Hanson Town Hall, suitable for fishing and paddling. The island within it is privately owned. You’ll find a ramp and access for small boats here. Seasonal ice skating. Swimming is not permitted. For trail access, visit Veterans Memorial Town Forest – Hanson, immediately adjacent.
Features
A beautiful backdrop for Hanson’s Town Hall, this manmade pond is bordered by a small park, a cemetery, residential areas, and the Hanson Town Forest. It is sometimes known as Raised Great Pond or Town Hall Pond.
For most of the 20th century, Camp Wampatuck, a summer sleep-away camp, was located on the shoreline. It has since has been replaced by a residential subdivision known as “Kings Landing.”
Prior to European contact, the Mattakeeset band of the Massachuseuk (or Massachusett) Native American tribe lived for thousands of years in the North River watershed. Their village included most of today’s Pembroke and Hanson. The word “Mattakeeset” means “place of many fish.” Wampatuck Pond is named for the Chief Sachem of the Mattakeeset, Josias Wompatuck (also spelled Wampatuck).
Trail Description
The adjacent Veterans Memorial Town Forest offers some hiking trails along the edge of the pond.
Habitats and Wildlife
Indian Head Brook flows through the pond. It eventually flows into the Indian Head River, a major tributary to the North River. The pond’s water quality is impaired due to noxious aquatic plants. It is not suitable for swimming.
Historic Site: No
Park: No
Beach: No
Boat Launch: Yes
Lifeguards: No
Size: 62 acres
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Parking: Limited on-site parking for cars and trailers.
Cost: Free
Trail Difficulty: No trails.
Facilities:
Concrete launch ramp for small power boats, canoes & kayaks. Picnic tables, informational kiosk.
Dogs: Yes
Boat Ramp: Yes
ADA Access: No
Scenic Views: Yes
Waterbody/Watershed: North River watershed