Halibut Point: Rockport's hidden gem
At the northernmost tip of Cape Ann lies a peaceful treasure of coastal landscape, with views stretching to Crane Beach in Ipswich, Mount Agamenticus in Maine, and the Isles of the Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. Halibut Point State Park offers visitors beautiful coastal views, a serene quarry, walking trails, and plenty of summer programs for children and adults alike.
"It's special to me because of the remarkable number of people who find it a special place to them," said Park Interpreter John Ratti, who is in his third year at Halibut Point State Park. "The place they hold in their hearts for this place is just remarkable, stunning, and astonishing."
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and The Trustees of Reservations administer the park. The Visitor's Center is located in a renovated World War II fire-control tower. The tower is open to the public.
Ratti's work at Halibut Point includes staffing the Visitor's Center; fielding visitor inquiries; devising, implementing, executing, and promoting standard state park programs; and booking and promoting outside events.
"Not all state parks have interpreters," Ratti said. "I think the ones that do really shine."
The Friends of Halibut Point is a non-profit group that supports programs at Halibut Point by co-sponsoring them. "They are a major supporter of the history of Halibut Point," Ratti said. "It's great to have friends because they are able to supplement or allow me to add on to interpretive programming by their support."
Summer programs at Halibut Point
A series of summer programs and special events are held at Halibut Point throughout the summer; all are free and open to the public.
Tide pool expeditions are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Aug. 22 and 3 p.m. on Aug. 25. Park Interpreter John Ratti will lead a group down the park's Ocean Path to view the life forms found in the numerous tide pools. "We usually spot sea anemone, sea stars, periwinkles, mussels, barnacles, and both the native white shore crab and invasive Asian rock crab," Ratti said.
Ratti will describe the definitions of tide zones and what is found in each, and will talk about shore birds the group may see. "When one visits a tide pool, one is never sure what will be spotted," he said. "It changes twice a day, bringing a new world, or palette of marine life so to speak."
On Saturday, Aug. 18, Gloucester resident Rick Roth and the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team are hosting "Snakes of Massachusetts and the World," a live animal program at Halibut Point State Park. "Rick brings about a dozen snakes, some large and rare ones from around the world, and before long he has them draped around peoples' shoulders," Ratti said.
Every Saturday at 10 a.m. tours of the former Babson Farm Quarry are held, with a granite-splitting demonstration and video. The tour explains how rock is quarried and details the geology of Cape Ann. After the tour, the Visitors Center is open to climb the five-story World War II observation tower.
Children ages 8 to 12 are welcome to come to The Mineral Club program, Mondays at 11 a.m. Kids will build a model volcano, create a sedimentary rock and construct a seismograph.