#42-DANVERS

DANVERS RAIL TRAIL

DANVERS RAIL TRAIL


DANVERS RAIL TRAIL SEGMENT MAPS


DANVERS RAIL TRAIL MAPS





COLLEGE POND LAND

COLLEGE POND CONSERVATION AREA


This twenty-one-acre conservation area is located behind St. John's Prep - the Xaverian Brothers' cemetery plot butts up to the end of Greenleaf Drive near the trailhead and the school owns much of the surrounding acres of open space. The main trail leads from the road down to College Pond with a wooden bench or two along the way to enjoy the wooded scenery and wildlife. Watch your step on the trail; there are plenty of roots underfoot and treading across the wooden boardwalk to the pond may feel akin to a roller coaster ride.

The benches, wooden steps and walkways were installed as part of an open-space intern program run by the town. Go to the Planning Department page on danvers.govoffice.com for more information on the program. In years past, the pond was a favorite ice skating spot.
Hours: Daily, dawn - dusk
Handicap Accessible: No

Parking: On-street: free
Number of trails: 3
Trail types: Hiking
Scenic views: Yes

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER HOUSE - (POET)
OAK KNOLL ESTATE

OAK KNOLL ESTATE- JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER HOUSE (POET)


FERNCROFT POND CONSERVATION AREA

FERNCROFT POND LAND


A beautiful and remote area to go for a walk and enjoy nature, the rustic Ferncroft Pond Conservation Area is teeming with wildlife and contains a five-acre pond and looping trail system. The area is equipped with a couple picnic tables and bench close to the entrance. Parking on the 8-1/2-acre property is extremely tight entering from Ferncroft Road, with barely enough space for two vehicles. The conservation area is maintained by summer interns working under the Open Space Intern Program run by the town.

Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
Handicap Accessible: No
Founding Date: Aug 15, 1969
Parking: Free lot
Are there any interesting facts about this location?: The town of Danvers created the trail system 12 years ago. At one point the pond was used to provide ice at the former Danvers State Hospital. Hospital staff and their families also used the pond as a skating rink many winters ago.
Features: Benches, Picnic tables
Wi-Fi: None
Area: 8.4 acres
Trail types: Hiking
Scenic views: Yes

PROCTOR FARM CONSERVATION AREA

PROCTOR FARM CONSERVATION AREA


Enjoy a refreshing hike or picnic at the Proctor Farm Conservation Area. There are several woodland trails, picnic tables, benches and a gazebo spread over 41 acres of field, forest, marsh and meadow owned by the town. One extension of the trail also connects to Cherry Hill Drive. The historic farm is no longer in active use except for fields that are leased for hay. The house and barns of the original Proctors are now privately owned.

The farm was originally owned by John Proctor (1632-1692), a local 17th century farmer and tavern keeper. During the Salem Witch Trials, he was accused of witchcraft, convicted and hanged. Proctor was in his 60s when the trials began. His wife, Elizabeth, was accused first of witchcraft by 12-year-old Abigail Williams on March 14, 1692, although no arrest warrant was drawn up until Friday, April 4, when John Proctor was also named. Elizabeth Proctor avoided execution because she was pregnant and by the time she had delivered her son, pardons were granted to the accused. She was still a convicted felon under the law, however, and thus unable to claim her late husband's property.

Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
Parking: Free lot
Private events: No
Features: Benches, Picnic tables
Restrictions: No alcohol, No fires, No smoking
Area: 41.2 acres
Trail types: Hiking
Scenic views: Yes

DANVERS SWAMP HIDDEN GEM

DANVERS SWAMP