#147-NORTON

NORTON TRAILS

NORTON MASS - CONSERVATION LAND


CANOE RIVER GREENBELT AND RECREATION AREA

Canoe River Greenbelt and Recreation Area
Directions: East Main Street (Rt. 123) across from Burt
Street.

Parking: 2 parking spaces on East Main Street in front of the sign
History of Property: The property was formerly owned by George F. Davey of Abington and Terry L. Edwards of Avon. In 1985, all 69 acres were sold to the Subon Company. The property was then divided into seven lots and individual parcels with frontage on East Main Street were sold for industrial/
commercial uses.

The back land contained approximately 43 acres and was identified by the Land Acquisition Committee (now the Open Space Committee) as an area of environmental significance due to the proximity to the town wells and the Canoe River. The Conservation Agent obtained an Urban Self-Help Grant for the purchase. The new town property was then split into two parcels.

One parcel (Lot 1-24 acres), closest to the Canoe River, is managed by the Conservation Commission for wildlife habitat and passive recreation. The other parcel (Lot 2-18 acres), nearly all upland, is managed by the Recreation Commission and will be available for active recreation activities. There are unmarked trails open to the public.

Everett Leonard Conservation Area Directions: The main entrance trail is on Parker Street close to John Scott Boulevard. The Conservation Area is adjacent
to the Everett Leonard Complex (ELC).

Parking: On Parker Street or at the ELC.

History of Property: The ELC (9 acres) and Conservation Area (27 acres) parcels were purchased by the town in 1979 from Texas Instruments through a Land and Water Conservation grant. The swimming pool, pavilion and ballfields were already in existence at the ELC.

The trail (dotted line below) runs through woods and a small field. There are two old trails that run through the wetland to the ELC but the boardwalks need to be reconstructed before the trail is re-established.

The Recreation Commission has worked very hard to bring the Complex into compliance for Accessibility issues and has recently created a new parking area.

JOHNSON ACRES
Johnson Acres

Directions: On North Washington Street, directly adjacent
to the old Railroad bed, is a small trail in the break in the
stone wall to access the property.

Parking: On North Washington Street at the Henrich Woods/Johnson Woods parcel or along the railroad line.

History of Property: This land (50 acres) had traditionally been used as farm land, to raise crops, livestock and poultry. Remnants of old barns and livestock pens can still be seen in some places throughout the property.

The land was purchased by the town in 2000 through a Land and Water
Conservation Fund grant as part of the Canoe River Greenbelt project. The property was purchased for its wildlife habitat value and local cultural significance. Civil War re-enactments are sometimes
held in the field.

There is a trail and picnic area for residents to enjoy. Recently, the property has
received some letterboxes for those interested in a scavenger hunt!


ROSE FARM

Rose Farm Conservation Area

Directions: On North Worcester Street, the trail is located
next to house number 33.

Parking: On North Worcester, there is 1 off-road parking space.

History of Property: This parcel (23 acres) and the Solmonese school land were purchased with a Self-Help Grant in 1966. The Conservation Commission granted temporary use of the hayfields for soccer fields in the 1970s but all have reverted back to hayfields, currently leased by local farmers.

This area is a favorite spot for Boy Scout camping trips.

SWEET-KALING CONSERVATION AREA - WADING RESERVOIR

WILLIAM STREET CONSERVATION AREA

EISENHOWER SWAMP

CHARTLEY POND - ROSE FARM

BARROWSVILLE POND - NORTON COMMON CEMETERY LOOP

EVERETT LEONARD FIELD

WOODWARD SPRINGS (NORTON-TAUNTON LINE)

WINSLOW FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY

CHARLOTTE RIVER ROAD-WINNECUNNETT POND-LINCOLN WOODS

TOAD ISLAND PARK

KING PHILLIP'S CAVE LAND -- BAY ROAD LAND

LINCOLN ROAD CONSERVATION LAND

JOHNSON PROPERTY

WHEATON FARM

WHEATON SWAMP

YELLE CONSERVATION AREA

NORTON RESERVOIR LOOP