Archive for September, 2018

Manville Memorial Park – Lincoln

 

This small park predominantly used for its recreational fields, basketball courts, and playground offers a stone dust walking path that follows portions of the perimeter of the fields. The pleasant surprise here are the trails that are in the nearby woods that lead to and partially around Laportes Pond. The trails here are short offering several large outcrops and views of the pond. Do keep in mind that some of the trails lead of the parks property into a nearby gun club. Take heed of the “No Trespassing” signs along the trails.

TWRI-Manville

Laportes Pond

Dunham’s Brook – Westport

 

Wedged between Main Road and Route 88, Dunham’s Brook offers nearly 3 miles of trails in three very different and distinctive loops. Starting from the parking area, the trail first follows an open area of grass before entering the woods. At the first wooden bridge look to the right to notice a pond. The next bridge crosses Dunham’s Brook itself. Shortly after that is an area of boardwalk that winds through the thick brush. After taking a sharp right and climbing uphill, you will come to a set of stairs of the left. Go left here first climbing the stairs up to the trail (blue loop) This trail will lead you along the ridge of the hill passing the remains of a stone silo on the left before coming out to a large farm field. The trail bends to the right here. The path to the right (blue loop) will turn back to the south pass a stone wall and end at the orange loop. The path to the left (green loop) will lead you through a large seasonal corn field before entering the woods once again. This section is not shown on the map provided, but is shown at the kiosk at the trailhead. A logging operation was also actively occurring at the time of this hike. Continuing straight the trail will soon turn to the right to complete the loop. Turn left and retrace your steps back through the corn field, pass the silo, and to the stairs. For the last part of this hike, turn left at the bottom of the stairs, follow the trail slightly uphill to the next intersection. Turn left onto the blue trail and follow it to the stone wall at the corn field. Turn right here and follow the orange loop trail as it re-enters the woods. The trail winds through a dense area of woods and wetlands along the southern end of the property. The trail eventually makes a loop and returns to the stairs. From here continue ahead and retrace your steps back to the parking area.

 

Map can be found at: Dunham’s Brook

TWRI-Dunham

The Stairs at Dunham’s Serves as a Good Reference Point

 

Westport Town Farm – Westport

 

This beautiful property owned and maintained by the Trustees and the Westport Land Conservation Trust offers a nice 1 mile walk along mowed trails following the perimeter of a large meadow. The property stretches downhill from the farmhouse and barn to the Westport River. There are several stone walls and wildflowers here at Westport Farm as well.

 

Map can be found at: Westport Town Farm

TWRI-WTF02

Stone Walls and Mowed Paths

Chace Nature Trail – Glocester

 

On the north side of the West Glocester Elementary School is a short nature trail that meanders through a wooded area on the school grounds. The trail offers various types of trees with an occasional birdhouse. There are also benches and picnic trails along the trail.

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Along The Chace Nature Trail