Maudslay State Park

The 480 acre Maudslay State Park was once the Moseley family estate in the late 19th century. Frederick Strong Moseley and his wife, with the help of famous horticulturist Charles Sprague Sargent, reshaped the property emphasizing it's river frontage, rolling meadows, and large stand of laurels. In the early 1900's the land was redesigned again by Martha Brookes Hutcheson who combined European garden design with the natural landscape.

The land was donated to the state in the late 1960s and was eventually turned into a State Park. Most of the original buildings are gone - razed or lost to fire - but a few remain, as do some of the foundations. Many of the landscaping features remain - gardens and hedge rows and trails lines with various ornamental shrubs and trees.

The rose garden (still maintained by volunteers) and greenhouses remain in various states of decay. The carriage house remains in good shape, as well as a large well near the rose garden.

Features

Landscaping, stone bridges, abandoned buildings, rose garden, 19th century gardens, hedgerows, open fields and meadows, trails lined with azaleas and rhododendrons, scenic views of the Merrimack River, bald eagles in the winter, ornamental trees and more.

Homepage

Maudslay State Park - Massachusetts DEM's home page for Maudslay

Location Map

Trail Map - Low quality GIF of Mass DEM's trail map. Be sure to get a brochure when you visit!

Directions

From north and south:
Take Rte. 95, exit 57 to Rte. 113 east. Follow 113 east for half a mile and turn left on Noble St. At stop sign turn left onto Ferry Rd., bear left at fork and follow signs.

From west:
Take I-495 exit 55 to Rte. 110 east. Continue 1 mile to Merrill St., turn right at second light. Continue on Merrill St./Spofford St. for 1.5 miles. Turn right before stop sign onto Ferry Rd., follow signs.

Street Map

Hours & Admission

Open 8:00 AM to Sunset. Parking is $2.00

Notes & Comments

Maudslay is a beautiful location and is a must see!

Most of the features described above are situated in one corner of the park, while the rest of the park is pretty standard (but still wonderful) forest. The gardens are still maintained by volunteers (see the "Maudslay State Park Association" link below). Allow at least two hours just to walk around this section.

Be sure to visit between mid-May and June to see peak blooming.

"I could spend all day at Maudslay." - Ron B