RULES, REGULATIONS and UPKEEP
Mittineague Park and Bear Hole Reservoir Watershed
To help ensure public safety as well as the overall well-being of Mittineague Park and Bear Hole,
the town has established rules / regulations for both properties.
Mittineague Park is patrolled by West Springfield Police, a seasonal park ranger, several citizens who act as eyes and ears, as well as surveillance cameras. Bear Hole is patrolled by West Springfield Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police and several citizens who act as eyes and ears.
Where Westfield overlaps into Bear Hole, particularly along the East Mountain area, Westfield Police patrol via ATV. Westfield Police have a mutual aid agreement with West Springfield Police in regards to assisting with Bear Hole incidents. Violations within Bear Hole and Mittineague Park can result in a town issued fine and/or pursued criminally through Massachusetts General Laws.
Vehicle trespassing can result in impoundment at the violator's expense.
The Environmental Committee's law enforcement civic liaison is Todd Steglinski: wsgsd@comcast.net
Mittineague Park and Bear Hole Reservoir Watershed
To help ensure public safety as well as the overall well-being of Mittineague Park and Bear Hole,
the town has established rules / regulations for both properties.
Mittineague Park is patrolled by West Springfield Police, a seasonal park ranger, several citizens who act as eyes and ears, as well as surveillance cameras. Bear Hole is patrolled by West Springfield Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police and several citizens who act as eyes and ears.
Where Westfield overlaps into Bear Hole, particularly along the East Mountain area, Westfield Police patrol via ATV. Westfield Police have a mutual aid agreement with West Springfield Police in regards to assisting with Bear Hole incidents. Violations within Bear Hole and Mittineague Park can result in a town issued fine and/or pursued criminally through Massachusetts General Laws.
Vehicle trespassing can result in impoundment at the violator's expense.
- West Springfield Police 413-263-3210, ext#0 (911 Emergency) Online reports can also be submitted through the online report center. An example of what justifies an online report would be observation of a dirt bike rider riding in Bear Hole or Mittineague Park trails. A situation that is important, but the police or park ranger may not be able to catch the rider due to riders being so mobile throughout the forest. An online report creates a paper trail, while still initiating a police investigation after the fact. Online reports should not be used for urgent / emergency situations. In your report it is essential to be as detailed as possible, such as descriptions of a rider's helmet and/or where they were observed entering, vehicle color/make/model, vehicle license plate or maybe there wasn't one, person's clothing description, person's description (i.e. young looking aged 18-20, clean shaven, cheek scar), time of day, did they have a weapon such as a rifle or bow/arrow, was someone arrogant with you. Key points: who, what, where, when and how. When in doubt call police dispatch and they can direct you whether an online report would suffice. Remember....if something isn't reported, then it's like the incident didn't happen. Photos/video are helpful.
- Massachusetts Environmental Police can be contacted for violations such as illegal hunting although W Springfield Police should be
- Westfield Police 413-562-5411 (certain areas of East Mountain, Lane Quarry and Bear Hole - Old Holyoke Rd up to Bear Hole's gate)
- West Springfield Park and Recreation 413-263-3284
- Bear Hole supports federally protected wildlife such as Osprey and Blue Heron. It is illegal to harass, injure, destroy nests, trap, relocate or kill federally protected wildlife. Report federal violations to US Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement. Phone: 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477)
The Environmental Committee's law enforcement civic liaison is Todd Steglinski: wsgsd@comcast.net
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