Beals Preserve:
In honor of Whit Beals, Kevin and Mike Sanford dedicated much of the winter and spring to clearing trails as well as the area by the ice pond, exposing stone walls, mowing trails, and seeding. They also cleared the area around the pump house and added a missing wall and missing portion of the roof to ensure safety.
Much of the winter was spent walking trails and clearing blow downs. In February and March, Board members began work on reclaiming the historic Riding Ring.. Efforts focused on tree and brush removal and the ring was cleared and marked to promote walkability.
J&J Landscape was contracted for the season. They mowed Old Farm Lane, the path up the meadow, and the parking lot every 2 weeks (eventually moved to 3 weeks). Toward the end of the season, they also began to mow the edges of the Main Street field along the rock walls as well as the area around the pump house and picnic table.
Spring work focused on general maintenance of the properties, including weeding, keeping rock walls clear of invasives, and seeding the areas that were disrupted by the Sanfords’ tractor. In April, Japanese Honeysuckle and Japanese Barberry were pulled from the Hickory entrance.
In May, work began to smooth out the tractor ruts and seed bare areas. The areas around the kiosk, granite benches, and pollinator garden were weed whacked and cleared. A metal chain was secured along the side of the aqueduct bridge where a metal side pole was missing.
May was a busy month as bluebird boxes were installed in the lower and upper pastures as well as near the ice pond as part of a Scout project. The driveway leading into the parking lot was paved by Asphalt Engineering. Also in May, we contracted for a Property Plan by Conservation Works, which was completed in June.
Summer brought more opportunities to work on seeding and weeding the paths. In June, a new path was created at the bottom of the meadows. It was seeded and marked with hiking signs. The Riding Ring was cleared further. Drainage improvements were made to the parking area as well as the Hickory entrance. A great deal of clearing was done around the pump house and a picnic table was installed in that area. In July, Board members replaced the Hickory Bridge with the help of volunteers. Signage was installed to mark areas where vehicles should avoid as well as forested areas that are not maintained by SOLF. In August, Conservation Works and Board members re-routed the top of the Hickory Trail from the cul-de-sac down to the split of the trail.
The fall saw the completion of many projects. In September, a 6-foot wide path was weed whacked from the Old Farm Lane to the Ice Pond as that meadow had grown up over the summer. That same month the Hickory Trail Bridge was completed when steps were added to both sides. Finally, Board members spent much time weeding around the kiosk and bridge, and cutting up and moving a large limb that had obstructed the Hickory entrance. At the end of September, the Old Farm Lane hardening project (a 6-foot wide swath of about 150 feet) was completed by Bob Hatch and Steph Frend, laying triax mesh and covering with large and then small gravel. They also loamed the area on Old Farm Lane where the ruts were and the area by the pollinator garden where the gravel pile was dumped. The loam was seeded but needs to be redone in the spring. In October, Board members worked with SWCA volunteers on replacing erosion bars at the Red Gate entrance. J&J also brush-hogged the field next to the ice pond. In November, the blue bird boxes were cleaned out and the Bathtub Lane was weeded and cleaned up in preparation for the winter. Also in November, a Board member and volunteer replaced the sign post at the intersection of the Riding Ring Trail and the Hickory Trail.
Big Oak:
In March, a large maple branch was cleared near the property sign. And in August Board members weed whacked around the sign.
Bigelow Wildlife Refuge:
In March, a sign was put up to identify the viewing point and work focused on removal of grape and bittersweet vines and dead branches. Visits in April, May, and August focused on invasive removal and weeding of the garden area. Additionally in August, Board members focused on dispersal of compost and widening the trail. A general clean up was done in September. The bench and platform were sanded and stained in October.
Clark Grove:
Board members walked the property in February to check for blow downs.
Eastbrook Farm:
Board members visited in May, June, July, and September to weed whack around the sign as well as the horseshoe-shaped, grassy area. The September visit included some trail clearing.
Kallander:
The Valley Road area was worked on. Board members cleared around the sign to the pond. Small elderberry shrubs that were in the way were removed. Board members returned in October to clear brush along the roadside and created a nice view of the pond in the process.
Lambert Corner:
Board members visited in March and focused on invasive removal and establishing a short trail.
The property sign was repaired in April. In August, a great deal of cleaning and clearing work was done on the trail, at the property sign and at the entrance on Cordaville.
Lynbrook Hollow:
In June, the entrance was cleared of bittersweet, poison ivy and multiflora rose and other plants. A small path of about 100 feet long by 2 feet wide was cleared and the stone wall and creek areas were opened up for viewing. More clearing was done in July and the exploratory path was created. A general cleanup was done in October and the path was opened up a bit more at the same visit.
Templeman Woods:
In February, Board members walked and cleared blow downs and trash. In March, a hiking sign was installed. Board members returned in August to clear blow downs and do a general clean up around the trailhead. That same month, volunteers visited the property and helped with clearing the trail,and the bog bridges were cleaned with a pressure washer. In October, another general clean up was performed and two large trees that had fallen and covered the trail were removed.
