Natural Riverside Stroll at Bradley Palmer State Park

A curve in the boardwalk through a wetland.

         One of the nicest accessible trails can be found at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield, MA. I visited last week to check for damage after a summer of heavy rains and found the trail in great condition overall. I hadn't been there in 5 years or so and it was refreshing to stroll this natural setting along the Ipswich River.

        The half mile trail starts just inside the park entrance at 40 Asbury Street. After you pass through the stone wall entrance, take your very first left down a short lane past a house to the trailhead and a small parking area with two paved accessible parking spots designated.      

A kiosk with park info alongside the trailhead.

   "Lizzy's Trail" starts from the accessible parking area. It is well-known locally and the most popular trail in the park, which was a former estate. Park staff informed me that a physical therapist nearby recommends the trail to her clients, many of whom need to rehabilitate after injury or surgery. One such client finds the trail is much easier to walk with his prosthetic leg than other trails in the park. An elderly couple come a few times a week to walk the trail to the picnic area and eat lunch by the river. While I was assessing the trail, an older man with a cane passed by by coming and going.

Two people walking along the flat trail.

        The accessible trail follows the river through open areas and forest, passing over a wetland and by
a field. Views of the water are mostly obscured by vegetation due to conservation requirements, but you can get some good peeks of the river as you go even during summer. Equestrians use the park and you'll see signage to prevent riders from bringing their horses onto the stone dust trail. Several benches can be found along the way. At the far end of the trail, taking a left at the trail junction will bring you onto a bridge over the river. This is the endpoint of the trail and you must return the way you came.

     

An accessible picnic table near a bench viewing the river.

     I found a few issues to be addressed after all the rain this season, including a mud puddle half way down the trail that can be navigated around. A muddy depression at the start of the trail held no water, but might after a heavy rain. The mud here was hard enough to walk through or wheel over without incident over 12 feet. At the far end of the trail, access to the river bridge may not be recommended for some due to seasonal erosion. The wetland bridge after the picnic area and the river bridge all have an inch or so to bump over to access and assistance may be required. 

       

The state park sign at the front entrance.

        The good news is that park staff take very good care of the trail and have all the maintenance equipment and materials needed to address these issues. They plan to resurface the entire trail this fall, after the leaves come down and are blown off. 

        Keep Bradley Palmer State Park and Lizzy's Trail in mind for your future enjoyment! Now, as the leaves drop from the shrubs alongside the river, expect better views of the water! During the summer nature programs are offered and a spray deck and bathrooms can be found further into the park. 

        DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) advocates for people to be mindful of the pandemic situation and follow current safe practices outlined by the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health.