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The park is rich in natural and cultural resources, and includes the
only drumlin field in the United States that intersects a coast, formed
by the glaciers some 15,000 years ago. For the most part, the individual
islands appear in a natural, semi-wilderness condition, with each distinguished
by its own variation of rocky shore, salt marsh, and vegetation. Wildlife
that inhabit the island environment may include catbirds, cormorants, gulls,
hawks, herons, owls, pheasant, quail, rabbits, reptiles, various songbirds,
terns, small rodents, and various forms of intertidal life. George's Island
is home to Fort Warren, a historic Civil War site and National Historic
Landmark.
Boston Harbor Islands national park area includes 34 islands situated within
the Greater Boston shoreline. The islands are rich in natural and cultural
resources. Imagine a place where you can explore tide pools, walk through
a Civil War era fort, climb a lighthouse, hike lush trails and salt marshes,
camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking or swimming...all
within reach of downtown Boston.
The 34 islands are managed by a unique, 13-member Partnership which includes
the National Park Service and other public and private organizations. An
advisory council provides a mechanism for public involvement.
Congress established the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
in November 1996 as a partnership between all levels of government, and
the private and private non-profit sectors. The Park is known locally as
BHI, a National Park Area. The Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
is a conglomeration of 30 islands in the outer harbor of the Boston metropolitan
area. There are six islands that are currently open for public visitation.
The islands are accessed by passenger ferry service from one of three mainland
access points: Long Wharf in downtown Boston; Hingham to the south; and
Lynn to the north. There is no park entrance fee, but there is a charge
for the ferry service. Currently there is no Visitor Center. However, all
ferry service lands at George’s Island where historic Fort Warren,
a national historic landmark, is located. There is some interpretive information
at the George’s Island ferry dock, and from the dock visitors can
board water shuttle service (smaller boats) to the other islands of the
park area. The Park’s General Management Plan is due out in spring
2000, and will outline significant changes in how the Park is accessed,
including a new visitor center on the now undeveloped Spectacle Island.
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