Archive for the ‘ ~ATTLEBORO MA~ ’ Category

O’Donnell Preserve – Attleboro

This hike is a little over a mile out and back with a short loop at the end. Parking is available at Finberg Field, then walk up Bishop Street a few feet to the trail entrance. The trail winds through a canopy of mostly maples and is blazed at every intersection. Be sure to follow the arrows as other trails leave the property and dead end. At the end there is a small loop that passes a small grove of beech trees. From here continue the loop and return on the access trail back to the street.

Trail Map: O’Donnell Preserve

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The Trail at O’Donnell Preserve

Poncin Hewitt Field – Attleboro

                                                                            

Poncin Hewitt Field is an athletic complex in southern Attleboro along the Rehoboth border. There is a half mile paved walking path throughout the complex (that is generally plowed when looking for winter walking). At the southern edge of the complex there looks to be a trail, however, it is clearly posted No Trespassing. Enjoy the walking path!

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Walking Path Plowed In Winter.

Highland Park – Attleboro

 

A former country club, purchased by the City of Attleboro last year, is now open to the public as a city park. The entrance on Mechanic Street has a sign with rules stating dogs must be leashed and ironically (and somewhat comical) “No Golf”. There are several sections of former golf cart paths that are paved. The property offers several species of trees that are scattered among the rolling hills. There are two small ponds and a short stream offering a haven for birds. Without any doubt this park is going to become a favorite among locals looking for a walk.

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Path By A Pond

Attleboro Greenway – Attleboro

 

The Attleboro Greenway is a “trail” made up of six distinctively different sections on the outskirts of Downtown Attleboro. The greenway, a little over a mile one way, in its entirety follows Ten Mile River crossing it four times. Starting along Riverfront Drive at the southerly end of Judith Robbins Riverfront Park, follow the paved bike path along the shore of the river. This first section is a newly developed park opened in 2017. It was once a strip of industrial land but has been transformed into a open space allowing access to the river. Besides the bike path, there are several benches for sitting and an area to launch a kayak or canoe. At the end of the bike path turn left and cross the river on a pedestrian bridge. At the end of the bridge turn right and cross Wall Street. The next section is the Kevin J. Dumas Ten Mile River Walkway. It is the newest section of the greenway opened in the fall of 2018. The walkway starts as a paved path that continues to follow the river behind the commercial businesses along County Street. Soon the walkway becomes a boardwalk and rises and crosses over the river. From here the boardwalk weaves along the river through commercial buildings and apartment buildings. Continuing ahead, cross County Street into the Balfour Riverwalk Park. This third section of the greenway is a city park that offers paved paths and playgrounds. For this walk follow the path closest to the river. You will soon come to the “green” bridge. of the left. Here you will cross the river once again entering the fourth section of the greenway. After crossing the bridge, turn right, walk down the stairs, and follow the stone dust path along the rivers edge to Hodges Street. Use the crosswalk to cross the street, turn right, and cross the bridge over the river using the sidewalk. On the left the stone dust path continues again along the rivers edge passing behind and around a community garden. Using the crosswalk to cross Mechanic Street, continue straight along Riverbank Road. Using the sidewalk for this section, the river will be on your left. Follow Riverbank Road for two tenths of a mile. It climbs slightly uphill and to the right. On the right is the Willett Elementary School and on the left is a wooded parcel. Ignore the first trail head on the left and continue ahead until you see a sign for Larson Woodland. Turn left here and follow the trail into the woods. This small and quaint property, the sixth section of this greenway walk, is an Attleboro Land Trust property. Follow the trail to a peninsula that overlooks Mechanics Pond. From here follow the trail closest to the river in a southerly direction passing the Mechanics Pond Dam before exiting the woods back out onto Riverbank Road. From here turn right and retrace your steps back to Judith Robbins Park.

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New boardwalk along the Ten Mile River

Richardson Preserve – Attleboro

  • Deborah and Roger Richardson Nature Preserve
  • Wilmarth Street, Attleboro, MA
  • Trailhead: 41°55’21.41″N, 71°14’7.69″W
  • First Time Hiked: October 27, 2017
  • Last Time Hiked: June 22, 2018
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.0 miles
  • Fairly easy.

 

At the small parking area off of Wilmarth Road,  there is an old eighteenth century home upon a small hill with a large outcrop of ledge to the front left of the house. A new and welcoming sign for the preserve is just behind the house. Trails here are newly marked offering the blue blazed and main loop trail named the Charlie Wyman Trail. There is also a red blazed Vernal Pool spur trail. The trails pass through fields, forests, and swamps here The fields, being utilized as meadows to attract various insects and butterflies are fairly large and surrounded by a canvass of tall trees. There is a large assortment of trees on the property including maples, pines, oaks, holly, and sassafras to name a few. Two new boardwalks have been built here crossing part of Chartley Brook and a red maple swamp. This trail circles back toward the house back to area that has gardens that offer peony, milkweed, day lilies, and Siberian iris. The entire trail system is just about a mile.

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Fall Field at Richardson Preserve

Bungay River – Attleboro

 

From a small parking area along Holden Street on the west bank of the Bungay River, a tributary of the Ten Mile River, you can find a trail that leads into the conservation area. The trail-head, slightly overgrown, is to the left side of the parking area. The trail leads to the north first passing an old hydrant by a brick building before coming to a set of power lines. Staying to the right, the trail leads into a heavily wooded area. The trail at this point is well defined and wide before coming to narrower trails ahead. The narrower trails look almost as if they are deer paths at times continue further into the property to the east and north. Doing a little exploring, one can get up to a mile or more here. The property offers a variety of trees including pines, oaks, and beech. To view the river itself, follow the short path from the parking area to the canoe launch.

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Trail at the Bungay River Conservation Area

Riverfront Park – Attleboro

  • Judith H. Robbins Riverfront Park
  • Riverfront Drive, Attleboro, MA
  • Trailhead: 41°56’30.54″N, 71°17’10.90″W
  • First Time Hiked: July 20, 2017
  • Last Time Hiked: November 17, 2018
  • Approximate distance hiked: 0.5 miles
  • Easy.

 

Attleboro has just opened a new park along the banks of the Ten Mile River, transforming a bleak industrial strip of land into an appealing spot just outside of downtown. The new park, dedicated to former mayor Judith Robbins, offers a short quarter mile bike path/walking path that is flanked by grass and perennial gardens. There are several picnic tables and sitting benches if you care to linger for a bit for lunch, a break from the day, or waiting for a train as the Attleboro MBTA station is just across the street.

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Riverfront Park

Capron Park – Attleboro

 

Capron Park is mostly known for its zoo. The park area out in front of the zoo has a few walking paths and a loop road. Joggers and walkers are seen here quite often exercising. The park also has plenty of monuments, a gazebo, a bandstand, and a rose garden. The zoo is open year round.

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Walkway and Gazebo

Balfour Riverwalk – Attleboro

  • Lloyd Balfour Riverwalk
  • North Main Street, Attleboro, MA
  • Trailhead: 41°56’43.60″N, 71°17’11.70″W
  • First Time Hiked: December 23, 2016
  • Last Time Hiked: November 17, 2018
  • Approximate distance hiked: 0.4 miles
  • Easy.

This small river front park by the Attleboro Library offers a short paved walking path. Within the downtown park is a skate park, playground, and a volleyball area. The walkways are flanked by several trees, monuments, and park lamps. The Ten Mile River passes the park.

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Balfour Riverwalk

Lee’s Pond – Attleboro

 

This small park nestled in a South Attleboro neighborhood offers a bit of everything that a park can offer. There is a three quarter mile fitness trail that follows the perimeter of the park. The trail is a combination of asphalt and stone dust. Within the fitness trail is a skate park, basketball courts, playground, tot area, gazebo, football field, baseball fields, horseshoe, volleyball court, picnic area, fish pond, war memorials, and a swimming pool.

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Walking Path Around Lee’s Pond