Callahan State Park Focus Of New Stewardship Program

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Several statewide groups will kick off a new recreational planning process for Callahan State Park this week, charting the future of the 950-acre park between Framingham, Southborough and Marlborough.

Mass Parks for All, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and Friends of Callahan State Park will work together to create a recreational study in an effort to, "bring responsible grassroots park stewardship principles to all park users," according to the groups.

The kickoff will happen Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Callahan Club inside the Millwood Preserve development across from the south entrance to Callahan State Park in Framingham. Speakers will include MPA Board member Arthur Bergeron, DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo, FoC board Chair Doug Lawrence, Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, and Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation Executive Director Herb Nolan.

Callahan State Park is one of the largest DCR properties in MetroWest, and is split into two main areas: the Framingham section south of Parmenter/Edmands roads, which features a dog park, an earthen dam and hiking trails; and the Marlborough side with hiking, fishing and access to the Sudbury Reservoir trails through Southborough.

The Marlborough section recently grew by about 33 acres after the city, Sudbury Valley Trustees and DCR purchased a section of farmland around Spring Hill Farm.