The South Street Woodlots trail is spectacular, as it weaves through dense wetlands, across boardwalks and winds underneath towering oaks and pines. Hikers will note the large bedrock outcrops.
Wildlife was no doubt hunted and trapped in these woods by the Algonquians, the Indigenous Peoples who lived here. They used juniper berries in fermentation, poultices, and medicines, and they flavored and colored their corn mashes with goldenrod flowers.
The property features a new trail constructed in 2013 on four contiguous parcels of conserved land, totaling 30 acres. The trail is about a mile in length and includes 3 sections of boardwalk through wetlands, each between 100 and 140 feet long. The "Cliff" and other large bedrock outcrops found in this forest are part of the Clinton-Newbury Fault.
The canopies of trees, some 100-plus years old, harken back to the colonial era when settlers were granted small woodlots, away from their primary house lots, for the harvesting of firewood. The area of thick, vegetated wetlands and beautiful wooded uplands combines four properties, the Cherry Hill Reservoir, Walker Woodland, Hilchey and Moseley Woodlots
Trails
1 mile of easy terrain.
Conservation History
Conservation of this land began in 1990 with the acquisition of a 19-acre woodlot and continued through 2007 with the acquisition of an 11-acre woodlot. South Streeet Woodlots is part of the Indian Hill Conservation Area.
Flora & Fauna
Deer, wild turkey, pileated woodpeckers and other wildlife abound in the rich habitat found here. It is an excellent spot for spring woodland warbler migration as well as the symphonic chorus of spring peepers and wood frogs.
The area consists of thick vegetated wetlands and beautiful wooded upland dominated by red oak, white oak, American beech and white pine.
Latitude 42.77589856528294, Longitude -70.94076472883565
Directions & Parking
From Route 95, take the Scotland Road Exit (Exit 83) toward West Newbury. This becomes South Street. Follow it for about 1 mile and park on the side of the road.
Town: West Newbury Total Acres: 51 Year Conserved: 1990-2007 Difficulty: Easy
