Tekoa Park Reborn
August 15 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Tekoa Park Reborn
August 15th at 10:00 am
Hike Rating: Moderate due to an elevation gain short climb up to the ridge and along the summit. Large rocks and single path steep sections. First half of trail is flat. Two miles round trip.
Directions: Parking area is on the Westfield/Russell town line on Route 20. Closest landmark is B & G Sporting Goods, 1460 Russell Road, Westfield, MA 01085. A parking area is located on Route 20 with the trailhead directly across the state highway going up into the woods.
27 acres along route 20 in Westfield and 7/8ths of it in Russell…. lies Tekoa Park which first began as public land prior to 1792 at which the boundaries separating Westfield from the town of Russell was established by the State Legislature. This caused it to become a private ownership of the Sackett family as a quarry.
When Mr. Sackett passed away it was handed down to his son Daniel who sold it to his kinsman Mr. Roland for $200.00. Four years later Mr. Roland sold it to his son Ashman Roland in 1855. The City of Westfield acquired the site in 1870 for $1,000.00 or $ 30.00 per acre that was six times the going rate of land in which was selling for only $5.00 per acre at that time. The deed in exchange for any inhabitants of Westfield could quarry stone from the area free of expense for private use subject to restriction by the town fathers. In 1904 the area was designed a town park known as Homer Park due to the efforts of sheriff W.W. Homer to have the city control and improve the property. In 1919 the area was named “Tekoa Park” the trees were cut back in the 1920’s in a lumbering operation. In 1930-1931 W.P.A. created a picnic area, pavilion and planted mountain laurel through out the area that overlooked a pond. The new park was rededicated in 1932.
As the years went on the park became neglected and in 1957 the Massachusetts Turnpike Bridge was constructed through the park. Mayor Alice Burke, known as the first female mayor in the country had the park closed as an economy measure. In 1969 a complete historical, biological and geological study was done on the area with governmental funding, through the auspices of “Project Epic”. In 1970 Mr. Ayers, Director of Parks and Commission tried to renew interest in the site to bring it back as a picnic recreational area. In 1976 the government funded a program called “Ceta” cleaned the area and overgrown trees. courtesy City of Westfield.
To this day, the area sits idle and unused by the public due to being so isolated in the woods off the Route 20 highway. BUT NO LONGER!
In 2022, The Hilltown Hikers reached out to Westfield Parks & Rec about this park, met with the board and offered up stewardship to clean up this amazing park and its trails on Homer’s Lookout. Our deepest gratitude goes to the City for letting us bring it back to life!
Join us and the Westfield Parks and Rec Department to hike this unique parcel of land, we have re-blazed the “blue trail”, a spoon loop to the summit and back and we want to share it with all of you.
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
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GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.
