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Though just 9.25 acres, a few steps into the Glennie Woodlot feels like stepping back over a century ago, when North Andover was a rural farming community, interspersed with woodlots such as this one. Passed down through the generations, the Glennie Woodlot is the last piece of the Glennie Dairy, much of which is now the permanently-protected Smolak Farm.
The groundwaters in this area feed Lake Cochichewick, which drains into the Merrimack River to the north. The Pawtucket village of Cochichewicket (“At the fast-running stream”) was on the Cochichewick River at the outflow of the lake. Villagers would have hunted in the Glennie forest.
Glennie Woodlot is a gorgeous example of a classic Northeastern Massachusetts forest. Mature oaks, maples and white pine grace these open woods, leading to views of a 23-nest heron rookery perched in the neighboring wetlands.
An existing woods road provides a solid base for a trail to the shared boundary with Town Farm Conservation Area, offering improved public access to the northern portion of Town Farm.
The conservation significance and public benefits of preserving this parcel are noteworthy.
Perhaps most significant is that the Glennie Woodlot Property is a gateway to that portion of the Town Farm Conservation Area north of Dale Street. There was no adequate trail access from Dale Street to the northern portion of Town Farm due to flooding of the wetlands behind the Dale Street Soccer Fields.
With the support of many generous donors and North Andover residents who voted to allocate CPA funds toward the $250,000 purchase price, Glennie Woodlot will be protected forever. The Town of North Andover now owns the land for conservation and passive recreational purposes.
Dale Street, North Andover. (Opens in Google Maps)
Longitude 42.686675, Latitude -71.078450
The entrance to Glennie Woodlot is on Dale Street near the intersection with Ironwood Road. Coming from Boxford, the entrance is on your right. From North Andover, it is on your left. Greenbelt is in the process of creating a modest parking area here for visitors.
