Three Short Walks in Duxbury

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A view of the freshwater marsh at South River Bogs in Duxbury.

As winter turns to spring, the days are often bright but also blustery. The sunshine tempts us outdoors, but the wind makes us reconsider, or at least move faster. These are prime opportunities for short walks.

The South Shore is home to a tremendous amount of open space and conservation land. Many of these properties are quite large. But probably just as many, if not more, are on the smaller side, and thus ideal when a short nature walk is what you have in mind. I recently visited three such properties in Duxbury.

South River Bogs: This 100-acre property was once cranberry bogs, but its agricultural days have passed. Dormant since the early 1900s, it has slowly converted to forest and marsh. The South River runs through it, plus several of the bog’s old irrigation channels are still in place. According to the Duxbury Conservation map (a resource rich in historical data, available via the town website, see links below) the parcel was once called Feinberg Bogs, and in addition to cranberry farming, charcoal was made in the forested uplands. The property includes a network of trails, blazed in red, blue and green. Looking out over the river and its marshes, you may wonder what you’re seeing: the not-so-distant traffic of Route 3 surprisingly close-by. Limited parking is available on North Street. Look for a small wooden sign, up the road and diagonally across from Hillside Lane. There is also walking access via various side streets in the Laurel/Temple area.

The John Rubin Path at Camp Wing: The Camp Wing Conservation Area is a 450-acre property with access points on Temple Street, River Street and Franklin Street. Way back in the 1600s, it was designated as “common land,” open to the community for hunting, fishing and lumber. Because Phillips Brook and the South River run through much of the parcel, the trails are concentrated in the area near the Franklin Street entrance. However there is also a single 1-mile trail – the John Rubin Path -- in a non-contiguous section of the property, off Temple Street. If you park near the old mill dam and ice house (Simon’s Tomb), just downstream of the pond at the intersection of Keene, Temple and River Streets, you’ll find the trailhead just across the road. It will lead you through the woods and around a loop that offers views of the South River and its surrounding wetlands. This particular section of Camp Wing is just around the corner – and actually backs up to -- the South River Bogs property, with Route 3 in the middle. Both offer rare upstream views of the river.

Cow Tent Hill: Managed by the Wildlands Trust, this 32-acre property overlooks the Duck Hill River and Duxbury Marsh. A single loop trail leads through a pine forest, downhill to an overlook, and then returns to the parking area via similar terrain. In days past, the river supplied power for a grist mill (circa 1640) and was known as Stoney Brook. During the War of 1812, it was known as Millbrook, and it powered a factory that produced sailcloth. The property’s current name derives from its more recent history as grazing land -- canvas was sometimes tented over portions of a pasture to provide shade for livestock. Look for a small parking area on Tremont Street, not far from the traffic lights.

Duxbury Conservation Map (two files):

http://www.town.duxbury.ma.us/Public_Documents/DuxburyMA_Conservation/ConAreas/pointsofinterest%20DuxOSMap14May.pdf

http://www.town.duxbury.ma.us/Public_Documents/DuxburyMA_Conservation/ConAreas/points%20of%20interest%20Dux%20Txt%2010June%202009.pdf

by Kezia Bacon

March 2017

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 20 years of nature columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

7+ Walking Places for 2017

A view of Long Tom Pond at the Hoyt Hall Preserve in Marshfield.

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Every January, the North and South Rivers Watershed Association sponsors a New Year’s Day Walk. Typically this annual event -- which is free and open to the public -- showcases a recently acquired conservation area on the South Shore. But occasionally the event offers access to a privately owned property within the watershed. The 2017 walk is one of those occasions.

This year’s event, which begins at 1pm on Sunday January 1^st, takes place at the Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover (405 Washington Street). Participants will follow trails through 100 acres of privately owned woodland to the Third Herring Brook, a rare opportunity to view the dam removal project that is currently in progress. For more information, visit www.nsrwa.org.

Whether or not NSRWA’s New Year’s Day Walk fits into your schedule, you may be looking for other places to take a stroll in 2017. We are fortunate, here on the South Shore, to have access to an abundance of nature preserves. Chances are, if walking in the woods is the type of thing you enjoy, you’re already familiar with World’s End in Hingham and the Norris Reservation in Norwell, local favorites that are both managed by The Trustees. You probably know the Mass Audubon properties too – Daniel Webster and North River Wildlife Sanctuaries, both in Marshfield.

What follows is a list of a few other lesser-known properties worthy of your attention. All are open to the public, generally from dawn until dusk. Before you go, visit the manager’s website to download a trail map.

• Hoyt-Hall Preserve - Careswell Street/Route 139, Marshfield. This recently-opened preserve features several walking trails around Long Tom Pond and through 123 acres of woods, freshwater marsh and red cedar swamp, with links to the Old Colony Railroad and the Historic Winslow House. Managed by The Wildlands Trust.

• Rockland Town Forest – North Avenue, Rockland. A small (39.5 acres) but truly special place to stretch one’s legs, the Rockland Town Forest’s narrow paths, boardwalks and bridges lead visitors through the wetlands that surround French Stream. This place is especially enchanting in the spring and summer when the trees and shrubs are leafy and green.

• North Hill Marsh - Mayflower Street, Duxbury. A network of walking trails through pine and oak woodlands takes you all the way around the freshwater marsh and reservoir, with plenty of interesting vantage points. These 943 acres, managed by Mass Audubon and Duxbury Conservation, are prime territory for birding and other wildlife observation.

• Wildcat Conservation Area – Circuit Street, Norwell. Over 100 quiet acres, with trails through the woods, and the occasional bench on which to pause and reflect. The narrow trails lead you past old stone walls and along historic Wildcat Hill. Managed by Norwell Conservation.

• Weir River Farm and Turkey Hill – Turkey Hill Lane, Hingham.  Catch a glimpse of the agricultural landscape of days past on these 75 hilltop acres. The view of Boston Harbor is stunning. Plus there are pastures, woodland trails, and a working barnyard, with additional trails that link to Whitney & Thayer Woods. Managed by The Trustees.

• Bates Lane Conservation Area – Clapp Road, Scituate. This property and its surroundings comprise over 400 acres of contiguous conservation land in the West End of Scituate, most of it former farmland. A network of well-marked and well-tended trails leads through the woods, past glacial erratics and across small streams. Managed by Scituate Conservation.

• Lansing Bennett Forest – Union Bridge Road, Duxbury. This historic property was once home to a sawmill and later a trout farm. Today it is 344 acres of mostly wooded upland, with glacial erratics and kettle holes, plus boardwalks that traverse the red cedar swamp that borders Phillips Brook. Managed by Duxbury Conservation.

by Kezia Bacon

December 2016

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Introducing the Hoyt-Hall Preserve

Long Tom Pond

-->We’ve been awaiting this moment for more than 15 years. We’ve read about grant applications and land purchases. We’ve observed survey tape on trees, and witnessed trails being carved out of the forest. When red and blue blazes appeared at woodland intersections and signs went up in the parking area, we knew it was imminent. And then last month it finally happened. The Wildlands Trust officially opened its Hoyt-Hall Preserve on Careswell Street in southern Marshfield!

This isn’t just any nature preserve. First of all, it’s large – 123 acres. Secondly it’s diverse – a large pond surrounded by freshwater wetlands, red maple swamp, and mature forest, with numerous walking trails, some centuries old. And third, it’s beautiful: for starters, check out the different ways the sun, clouds and surrounding vegetation reflect off Long Tom Pond. Plus, the property is easily accessible, with a parking area right on Route 139.

The opening of the Hoyt-Hall Preserve represents years of determined effort by The Wildlands Trust, a Plymouth-based non-profit organization that conserves and protects land throughout southeastern Massachusetts. When the Wildlands Trust acquired the property in 2000  -- the generous donor prefers to remain anonymous – it was clear that it was going to be “a project.” Some trails already existed – such as colonial-era cart paths and cranberry bog causeways – but they were overgrown with thorns and briers and very much in need of clearing. Other trails had to be plotted outright. Plus there were streams that needed crossing and brush that had to be cut back. It was a huge job. But over time, the Wildlands Trust’s stewardship crew and its volunteer Trailblazer team completed the task. Final touches included the installation of fence and signage. In addition, the Marshfield DPW graded and graveled the parking area.

A more vexing challenge was finding a way to create a circuit trail within the preserve. Because of the layout of the property – specifically the pond and wetlands at its center – there was no clear way to connect various trail spurs without crossing sensitive areas. Fortunately a solution became evident after the Town of Marshfield purchased adjacent land to protect its drinking water supply. The acquisition included a narrow slice of upland along the preserve’s northern border, with just enough room for a trail.

It is collaborations such as these that make the Hoyt-Hall Preserve a noteworthy achievement. The majority of the land is owned and managed by the Wildlands Trust, but some of the trails cross other quasi-public properties such as the Historic Winslow House, and the Old Colony Railroad. Without these extensions, it would be difficult for the public to fully experience and appreciate all that the preserve has to offer. Some of the trail work and other property enhancements were funded with a grant from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The Wildlands Trust aptly considers the Hoyt-Hall Preserve as one of its showcase properties -- a hidden gem. Its beauty is reason enough to go see it, but the land is also rich in history, a fact that is sure to attract additional visitors. Before European settlers arrived on our shores, the area was used every summer by Wampanoag tribes, who traveled seasonally from Lakeville and Middleboro to set up camp and hunt for shellfish along Wharf Creek. A portion of King Philip’s Path passes through the preserve.

In the 1630s, the preserve and its surroundings were among the lands granted to Governor Edward Winslow. Over time the property was parceled out and cleared for farming, with many of the trees sold to the local shipbuilding industry. While originally Long Tom Pond was part of Duxbury Bay’s tidal saltmarsh, during this time it was dammed in, resulting in a conversion to a freshwater ecosystem that the farms eventually would use as a water supply. More recently, a portion of the area was made into cranberry bogs. But even that was long ago. Forests and swamps have reclaimed their territory, although portions of the Pilgrim Trail (originally a Wampanoag byway; later Green’s Harbor Path, the first court-ordered road in Plymouth Colony) skirt the property’s northern border. You can even walk part of Old Careswell Street, which was rerouted in the 1930s. Look for patches of asphalt along the pond’s southern edge.

Since it opened, the Hoyt-Hall Preserve has attracted quite a number of visitors. There is a large map and an account of the property’s history posted in the parking area, or you can download a detailed map from the Wildlands Trust’s website (www.wildlandstrust.org). The main trail, which surrounds the pond and is marked with red blazes, might take you an hour to traverse. It’s also worth investigating the spur trail to the Historic Winslow House (its blazes are blue). Additional trails along the western border lead to the Old Colony Railroad bed, which connects the Black Mount neighborhood to Route 139. Some of these are marked in white, but consider this the “adventure” portion of your visit, as some guesswork will be required to circle back to the main trail.

If you’re willing to portage a canoe or kayak about 450 feet from the parking area, you can launch your boat on the pond. Also, be sure to check out the old stone cistern along the pond’s eastern edge, another relic from the area’s farming days. And I understand that birders are going to love this place. There’s been talk of an American bittern sighting, which is apparently quite rare.

You’ll find the Hoyt-Hall Preserve on Route 139/Careswell Street in Marshfield, south of Webster Street and diagonally across from Colby Hewitt Lane. The parking area easily holds about 6 cars, but I’ve seen more than ten packed in on particularly pleasant days. There is also limited access on foot via the cul de sac at the end of Pilgrim Trail, as well as the Old Colony Railroad access points on Steamboat Drive and across from South Point Lane.

by Kezia Bacon

November 2016

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 20 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Visiting the Striar Conservancy in Halifax

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For more than 40 years, the Plymouth-based Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts has been steadily acquiring land, keeping it free from development. The organization oversees a wide range of properties, large and small, nearly 250 in total. These are distributed across a significant area of the South Shore and South Coast – from Marshfield to Plymouth, south to Wareham and Rochester, and west to Taunton and Brockton. Slowly but surely, I am checking them out.

This spring my son and I headed over to Halifax to tour the Striar Conservancy. At 164 acres, it’s a relatively large property, with few traces of human influence. A single trail leads through the woods and across small streams, offering views of the Winnetuxet River and its freshwater wetlands, as well as the occasional small pond. It’s a quiet, understated place – not much to look at for the casual observer, but pleasant and peaceful. I understand it’s a haven for birders -- home to as many as 90 different species, including woodcock, coopers hawk and ruffed grouse.

 Our plan was to meet up with my uncle, along with his two golden retrievers. We’d amble and chat, and let the dogs explore. (Dogs are welcome at most Wildlands Trust properties, as long as they are kept under control.) We were hoping we might catch a rare glimpse of the river otters, known to make appearances at the Striar Conservancy, but – for this visit anyway -- they remained elusive.

 

The Striar Conservancy is located on Thompson Street (Route 105) in Halifax, not far from Route 44. It’s in a beautiful part of town, tucked among meadows and farmhouses that harken back to an earlier time. Getting there is part of the adventure – leaving our strip mall-lined busy roadways, and entering a landscape that’s more rural and spacious.

Because there’s no published street address for the Striar Conservancy, you have to rely on your eyes to find it, and not your GPS. It’s not that difficult. If you’re approaching from Route 106 you take Thompson Street south for two miles and then look for a small parking area on the left. Or if you’re coming from Route 44, you take Route 105 north.

There is a wooden kiosk in the parking area, with a map of the property and additional information. The trailhead is right there. We spent a little more than an hour walking up the trail to the property’s boundary, and then back again. We probably could have done it in half the time, but instead we took frequent breaks so the dogs could wander off the trails and splash in the water.

The Wildlands Trusts opens its properties to visitors free of charge. By and large, they are open daily from dawn to dusk. In addition, there are a few simple rules – no hunting or trapping (except where posted); no fires, camping or litter; no cutting or removing of vegetation or other natural features; and no motorized vehicles or loud noises.

You can learn more about the Wildlands Trust via its website, www.wildlandstrust.org.

by Kezia Bacon

 May 2015 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 19 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Boys in the Woods

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The Teeple, Morey, Beal and Bernstein children prepare for a walk at Willow Brook Farm Preserve in Pembroke.

Anyone who reads this column regularly knows that I enjoy a good walk in the woods. Dedicated readers also know that I have a son, Abel, who is now seven years old. I’ve been taking Abel for nature walks since he was an infant – first in a Baby Bjorn carrier, then in a jog stroller, and later with him walking along beside me. He really enjoyed these outings when he was little. Now, not so much. “It’s boring, Mom.”

But last spring I figured out a way to make it less boring. Invite friends. Not just one or two, but a whole pack of them. Boys plus woods equals fun! So this summer I planned a few group nature walks, inviting some of Abel’s friends and their families to join us at some of the more child-friendly local conservation properties. And I was delighted to see that it worked. The boys had fun . . . and the adults enjoyed themselves as well.

Our first exploration was at the Norris Reservation on Dover Street in Norwell, which is managed by The Trustees of Reservations. I’d picked up this year’s South Shore Quests booklet, so we followed the route suggested there, looking for clues that would ultimately reveal where the Quests box was hidden (an opportunity for us to sign a guest book and stamp our Quest passport). The clues gave us a compelling reason to carry on, despite some wet weather, but I’m not sure we even needed the incentive. The boys were quite happy to be scampering up and down the trails, finding and carrying big sticks, and looking for snakes and frogs – they found plenty of the latter. I didn’t bother to try to teach them anything about the land we were exploring – except when they asked, and they had some good questions – but instead I just let them absorb the forest environment, and enjoy themselves. And they did.

Our second trip followed another South Shore Quest, this time at Willow Brook Farm Preserve on Route 14 in Pembroke (the property is managed by the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts). The weather was better, and the boys (plus a couple girls this time) once again found simple ways to entertain themselves. Climbing on boulders and fallen trees was as big a hit as climbing the tall wooden observation tower. But it seemed like simply moving in a pack – there were eight or nine children altogether – was the real attraction. Something primal was happening among those kids – they really enjoyed being outside together, following a trail and some basic “stay within my sight” type of rules, but otherwise being able to make their own fun. We went on from that excursion to a stop at The Blueberry Farm in Hanson, for Pick Your Own berries, which made the day even more special.

I’m hoping to continue these group nature outings throughout the year. I do understand how a simple walk in the woods, even with plenty of flora and fauna to investigate, might not be all that appealing to a youngster, but I think we’re onto something here, with the group dynamic. If anything, it's a welcome alternative to all of the other organized activities these children participate in. Dance/art/music classes, sports, martial arts – and of course school – all have their place, but it’s really nice to be outdoors with the kids, doing nothing in particular except following a trail through the woods or a meadow, and seeing what the children are inspired to do.

by Kezia Bacon

August 2013

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com