Artichoke River Woods Opening Celebrated, Expansion Announced

​​​​​On the morning of October 29, an enthusiastic crowd of friends, supporters, and partners gathered to celebrate the opening of the 46-acre Artichoke River Woods Conservation Area in West Newbury. The event featured brief remarks from Greenbelt President Chris LaPointe, along with State Representatives Adrianne Ramos and Dawne Shand — both champions of the project — as well as a guided walk through the property.

During the event, Chris took the opportunity to share the news that Greenbelt will be aquiring an additional 29.6-acre parcel at the northern boundary of the Artichoke River Woods Conservation Area from the Society of St. John the Evangelist, significantly expanding the safeguarded land.

Renowned for its stunning river views, mature forests, well-preserved stone walls, and 1.6 miles of woodland trails, this property is a popular year-round destination for a wide range of outdoor activities.
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Beyond its recreational appeal, the conservation of this land plays a crucial role in securing local drinking water, shielding wildlife habitat, and maintaining a climate-resilient landscape. Additionally, it provides public access to a broader regional trail network, further amplifying its significance.

Since 2021, Artichoke River Woods has been owned and managed by Greenbelt. Its conservation was made possible through a combination of funding sources, including the Community Preservation Act funds from Newburyport and West Newbury, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Commonwealth’s Drinking Water Supply Grant and Conservation Partnership Grant programs, a Merrimack Conservation Partnership Transaction Grant, the Fields Pond Foundation, and the Essex County Community Foundation’s Essex County Land and Environment Initiative, as well as the generous contributions of numerous individuals.