Reflect on Healing in Nature at Attleboro Springs

Located in southeastern Massachusetts, the Attleboro Springs All Persons Trail is a fun and accessible exploration. This Massachusetts Audubon property has a special contemplative focus as it is just behind the national Catholic shrine known as Our Lady of La Salette. Here, along Brothers Pond, you can reflect on whatever needs your spiritual attention, or simply enjoy the nature of the place. This trail is also called the "Reflection Trail" and is on the grounds of a former healing sanitarium - a place devoted to healing conditions that cause suffering, often using the power of nature to support this process. 

The Reflection Trail is a half mile loop on level ground, with a six foot wide stone dust trail and several interesting stops along the way. It is almost entirely forested with a mix of oak and pine. Many trees are quite tall and in one spot along this trail you will likely notice a huge oak that has been blown down. After the pondside section near the beginning, you pass through a vernal pool - a seasonal pool often filled with water in spring and fall but typically dry in the summer, as it is now in our present drought conditions. There is an interesting side trail to an outcropping of puddingstone, as well as one into a circle of oaks. Puddingstone, said to resemble English plum pudding, was formed a billion years ago in northeastern Canada and delivered by glacier to this spot as well as other locations in New England. I learned this from the audio tour available for this trail.

Lake Park in Worcester Provides One-way Trail Loop

Thanks again to Laila Soleimani for her post!

I visited Lake Park, part of Quinsigamond State Park, on a hot summer Friday afternoon. Located at 283 Lake Avenue in Worcester, this urban park is across the street from Buffone Skating Arena, with tennis courts visible from the road which you will pass on your right as you pull into the parking lot. There are several accessible parking spots here: 2 in front of the tennis courts, 4 across from the trailhead, and 4 more by the swim beach. I was inspired to visit Lake Park after hearing there was a one-way trail loop system implemented in an effort to reduce contact with other trail users and promote social distancing while still being active outdoors.  You may also want to visit nearby Regatta Point at 10 N. Lake Ave. for views of Lake Quinsigamond. Both locations constitute Quinsigamond State Park.

Along the Old Mill Trail in the Berkshires

I visited the Old Mill Trail in Hinsdale, Massachusetts this spring. Located in the southern Berkshires off Route 8, this trail is an inviting streamside experience.  Recent improvements to correct a few bridge access issues along the trail have inspired me now to let others know about this wonderful accessible trail opportunity. It is a refreshing place to be outdoors on a hot day. The further you go down the trail, the deeper and cooler the woods become.

The wheelchair accessible portion of the Old Mill Trail is 3/4 of a mile along the 1.5 mile linear trail that starts at the intersection of Old Dalton Road and Route 8. Continuing on beyond the 3/4 mile accessibility point will soon get you into more roots and rocks as the trail crosses under Route 8 to its final turnaround point. Either way, bear in mind to double the distance for your total hiking mileage. The trail is flat to moderate terrain and hard-packed dirt and stone dust. A kiosk at the trail head will help with onsite orientation. You can also click here for a map.

Jordan Pond - A Quieter Trail Outing Near Worcester

Thanks again to Laila Soleimani, from DCR's Universal Access Program, for finding a quiet spot in the Worcester Area we can recommend for local folks. 

Last Wednesday, I visited Jordan Pond Walking Trail in Shrewsbury. I’ve gotten several inquiries about accessible hiking areas in the Worcester area so I was excited to check out this trail in central Massachusetts. The address to the best, most accessible parking lot is 34 Ridgeland Road in Shrewsbury. This trail provides many beautiful views of Jordan Pond. In fact, you’re so engulfed in the greenery and scenic views that surround the trail, it’s hard to believe that you’re just a few minutes away from busy Route 9.

This accessible walking trail is paved, flat, about 7.5 ft wide and runs along Jordan Pond (please note: there is also a non-accessible wood path/dirt road which runs along the other side of the pond). From the parking lot down the paved trail and back is just shy of a mile at approximately 0.8 miles long. There are no restrooms here, but there are many fast food restaurants located about a half mile away where you can find bathrooms available.  I barely heard the sound of cars or traffic in the area. 

The Canalside Rail Trail - Spacious Outing Along a Power Canal

Water is power - and you can see this truth all along DCR's 3 mile Canalside Rail Trail in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. From Unity Park  - with an adjacent dam below the bridge leading into town from Route 2 - to the Connecticut River, most of the pedestrian and cycling path follows a power canal. This trail is well-used but surprisingly uncrowded during the pandemic. 

Rail trails are by nature wheelchair accessible, since they follow old railroad beds with flatter grades. This is one of DCR's shortest rail trails, and least known, making it a good candidate for anyone who'd like to venture out onto a rail trail these days. I hear many reports and concerns about overcrowded rail trails as people flock to major places to recreate this summer. I've been to Canalside several times and always see people, but well spread out. Several access points help to users maintain good distance.

For best accessibility to the Canalside Rail Trail, I recommend the quieter Connecticut River end of the trail in Deerfield. From River Road find McClelland Farm Road where you will quickly locate a paved parking lot with a level access route to the trail. For a good overview of the trail, click here for a map. This will help reference the various highlights mentioned next.

Beautiful Belle Isle Marsh in Boston

Last week I finally made it to Boston to assess a trail and was surprised to find Belle Isle Marsh Reservation remarkably people-free. Just a few cars were in the parking lot all morning on a Thursday. This delightful location offers a breathtaking opportunity to travel a half mile plus on the Meadow Loop Trail with abundant wildflowers and birds and views of the salt marsh. 

Once an island, Belle Isle is now connected to the mainland. It has a long history of changing hands and names since Europeans arrived on this coast. Today it is the last remaining salt marsh in the city.

Located at 1399 Bennington Street in E. Boston, Belle Isle Marsh is a place of natural respite. Even without advance notice on the street, you'll know you are there when you see a lot of greenery along the roadside, which is otherwise a city neighborhood environment. You'll find three accessible parking spaces and a flat 8-10 foot wide, wheelchair accessible stone dust trail. There are no restrooms here, but there are some fast food places along Bennington Street where you can find available bathrooms. While the lack of restrooms, as well as the signage regarding salt marsh mosquitoes on site, may be daunting, this outing is well worth it.