MA Issues Broad Warning About Outdoor Hazards After Hard Winter

MASSACHUSETTS — State recreation officials are warning Massachusetts residents to be careful when venturing outdoors this spring after a particularly rough winter.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation on Wednesday issued a broad warning for all state-owned trails, greenways and multi-use trails. Hikers may find trails closed due to damage.

"Heavy snow, rains, and wind have attributed to tree falls, bridge and stream crossing damage, and washouts throughout the DCR system. Hazards may include overhead broken limbs and branches, compromised stream and wetland crossings, downed trees and or debris hazards," DCR said Wednesday.

Just last week, DCR closed the Otter River State Forest after an April storm with high winds knocked down utility poles and left a kiosk damaged. A strong March storm, meanwhile, temporarily closed Skinner State Park, Mount Tom State Reservation, Holyoke Heritage State Park and DAR State Forest in western Massachusetts. Also in March, the Lake Dennison Recreation Area in Winchendon was damaged in a flood caused by an overflow from Birch Hill Dam in Royalston.