Historical Background

This property was purchased by the City of Haverhill in 2024 through the state's Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA) Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant funding program. A Conservation Restriction owned by Essex County Greenbelt Association as well as Article 97 designation protects this land in perpetuity for public enjoyment and natural resource protection.

Environmental Features

Encircling 1,500 feet of lakefront, Creek Brook adds to the 300+ acres of surrounding conservation land protected for water supply and biodiversity. Like the rest of the Crystal Lake area, this site is rich in diversity, containing a mix of streams, wetlands, mature forests, and rocky ledges along with all the plant and animal life associated with each of these habitats. Deer, beaver, mink, otter, wild turkey, osprey, owls, and a wide variety of waterfowl are just a few of the species you might encounter here. With ample fishing spots, you may have luck catching largemouth bass, pickerel, sunfish, perch, and more. Unique to this area, trails along Creek Brook take you to a double beaver dam. 

Historical Background

The City purchased this property in 1974 as an early effort to protect the lake's watershed for public drinking water. Originally named Crystal Point, the City of Haverhill formally dedicated this property to former Mayor James A. Rurak in 2023 to recognize his efforts to protect open space in Haverhill. 

“Mayor Jim Rurak was instrumental in the re-use of Crystal Lake, having a line built from Crystal Lake to Kenoza, putting it back online. It’s one of the reasons we have never had a shortage of water in the city of Haverhill. He was then instrumental in preserving the area around the water supply so that we would protect the water supply.”

- Former Mayor Jim F. Fiorentini

In the past, a small water treatment plant on the southern end of the lake provided clean drinking water to nearby homes. Water from Crystal Lake is pumped into Kenoza Lake which holds all of the city’s water and where Haverhill's Water Treatment Plant operates.

Environmental Features

Rurak Point is a small peninsula in Crystal Lake with more than 1/2 a mile of lake frontage. Trails lead to the tip of the land area with expansive lake views. Birds of prey and waterfowl such as osprey, fish hawk, blue heron, and loon hunt the lake and its shoreline for fish and mollusks, allowing for ample opportunities for birdwatching. Beavers are regular residents of Crystal Lake who have several lodges visible from Rurak Point. If you're lucky, you might see their head bob in the water as they swim or hear their tails splash against the water. 

Historical Background

The City of Haverhill purchased Crystal Shores in 2011 as a continuing effort to protect Crystal Lake's water supply. While walking through the park, you may find one of New England’s iconic stone walls which indicates that the land was pasture or farmlands in previous centuries. These stone walls are common in New England because the area was originally heavily forested. Early settlers cleared the forests to create those pastures and farms. Unbeknownst to them was that the tree’s roots held back rock below the surface. With the trees removed the rocks slowly “floated” to the surface causing problems for landowners as the stones hurt crops and ruined pastures. With all the stones that they dug up, landowners began to use the stones to create property lines. Eventually the United States expanded westward wand with it they discovered the fertile Great Plains. Most of the farmers in New England abandoned their farms to move to the promising Midwest where the geology of the land would not interfere with crop growth. Overtime nature reclaimed its land and created the New England we know today.

Environmental Features

Because the forests here are technically speaking “new”, most of the trees here are not mature or as large as their ancestors. However, in Crystal Shores you can find several large American Chestnuts that are 5” in diameter and White Pines that are three feet in diameter. These large trees are unique to this area and can be found in the very south-east part of the park. These trees can give you a small glimpse of what the area may have looked like before it was settled. Crystal Shores has a mix of wetlands, streams, hills, and the shoreline. The mixed habitat allows for a diverse range of wildlife. You can find animals such as beavers and otters as well as an abundance of fish and other aquatic life near the shore. There are also a wide variety of waterfowl from Mallards and Canada Geese to Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers.

Historical Background

The park was created when the City of Haverhill purchased 46.5 acres from a private landowner in 2000 with help from the state. The acres purchased were combined with an existing 19-acre lot to form the entire 65.5 acres. Here you will find many of New England's iconic stone walls, indicating that the land was previously used as pastures.

Environmental Features

The area is composed of both hardwoods like Black Oak, White Oak, White Ash, Red Maple, Black Birch, and Shagbark Hickory, as well as softwoods like White Pines and Hemlock. This area is also a good place to observe wetlands and vernal pools; both of which provide habitat to many unique species of plants and wildlife. Vernal pools, which dry up during summer months, provide excellent habitat for species like the Spotted Salamander and the Wood Frog which rely on these vernal pools to lay their eggs in masses around early spring when the pools are filled. The wetlands themselves are habitat to some species of turtles. Should you chose to stay in the uplands you might be able to catch a glimpse of porcupines, which use the rocky outcroppings as homes. If you want to see what a wetland or vernal pool is for yourself, Crystal Gorge is one of the more accessible ways to do so as most of the trails go through the swamp like terrain without the risk of your shoes getting stuck in mud.

Historical Background

Environmental Features