AN ABSOLUTELY MUST DO! 5 STARS! ! A FREE EVENT & FREE PARKING This is one of the Secret Hidden Gems of America that most people have never heard about or been to before. First start your journey at the LAKE PENTUCKET GATEHOUSE built in 1898. The 37 acres Lake is now connected by an Aqueduct to Kenoza Lake. This is still a part of Haverhill's public water supply. Then it's just a few minutes drive to Haverhill's Brightside to see the little gardens & green grass which flows right into Winnekenni Castle & Park. This trip is less than 1 hour drive outside of Boston. Bring a Picnic basket, a water bottle & some good sneakers for an easy 20 minute nature walking hike. After your hike, head back to your car & pull out the picnic basket for a picnic on the green grass on the banks of Lake Kenoza . The inside of the Castle is Closed & is only open for Functions, Weddings & Special Events etc. Don't worry you will still be able to see the outside of the Castle close up, the Castle Grounds & lots of other cool stuff. Park your car at the bottom near the playground in the Parking lot or on the side of the road where the signs allow Parking. There are closer Free Parking lots on the way up but you will miss out on all the Adventure & The Winnekenni Castle Hike. So Park your car & follow the signs on Castle Rd. up to the Castle. There are multiple trails & if you like hiking & are more adventurous you can go for several miles all around the Lake. We're going to do an easy trek - a 20 minute hike up & lots of natural settings to see. You will travel along the dirt trails along the lake shore & up the hill to the Winnekenni Castle.
THE HISTORY
Winnekenni Park Conservation Area is 700+ acres that overlooks the Kenoza Lake which is Haverhill's primary drinking water source. Dr. James R. Nicola built the Castle between 1873 & 1875. He was inspired by the stone structures & castles he visited in England. This was his former residence that he used as a summer home. It is not a huge Castle but modest in size but beautiful. Speaking of Beautiful, the word Winnekenni is taken from the Algonquin Dialect meaning Very Beautiful. C Willis Damon was the Haverhill architect who designed this Magnificent Castle. In 1875 the city of Haverhill purchased it along with some additional land in later years. Besides nature walking & jogging, you can do bicycling, cross country skiing in the winter months, horse back riding & other activities. Like I said The Castle is open for Private Special Events. There is no tour here. They also have Special Public Events every so often that they open the Castle up & are either reasonably priced or even Free sometimes. Check the website for further details & upcoming events. You can check out my other review about Winnekenni Castle also. There are picnic tables & benches here or just put a blanket on the green grass & Chill. There's even a Playground Area with Swings, a Slide etc here for Kids. So have a great time exercising, explore & learn about the great outdoors on your adventure, see a castle & have a fun picnic on the green grass on the outskirts of the lake. And guess what? IT'S ALL FREE!
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