Southborough Town Forest Guided Nature Walk

Please join the Southborough Stewardship and Trails Committee for a family-friendly guided nature walk at the Town Forest Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 1:00 PM. (60-90 minutes). The walk will be led by Dan Harvey, a naturalist and environmental and outdoor educator with over 30 years’ experience throughout the U.S.

This walk is part of the three-week Planet Palooza celebration sponsored by the Open Space Preservation Commission.

Get to know the trails, learn about native wildlife, observe and identify plants, trees, and signs of animals. We will also reveal the new trail names that Southborough residents voted on earlier this year.

This will be an easy walk on trails that meander throughout the forest. The walk is appropriate for children and families but not strollers. The wooded trails are mostly flat with some small hills.

• Meeting Place & Parking: Woodland Road (Use 76 Woodland Road for GPS); park along Woodland near the Town Forest sign or at the two paved spots at the end of Kidder Lane.
• When: Sunday, April 24, 12:45 PM (walk starts at 1:00 PM)
• Registration Limitation: The walk is limited to 20 participants.

The event is free of charge. Let us know that you'll be joining us by registering today! We look forward to your participation. For questions, please contact the Kathryn at kmckee@southboroughma.com.

Other Considerations:

• Weather Permitting: We will check weather the day before the walk. We'll email you on Sat, 4/23 if the walk needs to be cancelled. If light rain, we may still walk, please dress appropriately. If heavy rain or dangerous weather, the walk will be cancelled.

• Footwear/Attire/Water/Bug Spray: Please wear comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes appropriate for uneven surfaces. Please also bring water and bug spray. There are no restroom facilities near this walk.

• No Dogs: Although we adore our four-legged friends, please leave your dogs at home for this walk.

• Waivers: You will be asked to acknowledge a general liability & Covid-19 waiver during registration. Adults will acknowledge the waivers for their children.

• COVID-19 Precautions: If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or someone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home. Thank you.

Open Space Preservation Commission PLANET PALOOZA:

• A 3-Week Celebration of the 52 Anniversary of Earth Day
• Dedicated to the Memory of Southborough Naturalist Linda Hubley
• Organized by the Southborough Open Space Preservation Commission

About the Walk Leader:

Dan Harvey is a naturalist and environmental and outdoor educator with over 30 years’ experience throughout the U.S. He is a former North Carolina State Park Ranger and was the ranger at Hopkinton and Ashland state parks for three summers. He is currently involved with the Ashland Auxiliary Police and the Hopkinton Boy Scouts.

About the Town Forest:

The Southborough Town Forest covers 54 acres, offers a network of trails, and features the historic Bay Path connecting Woodland Road to Walnut Drive. One can see spectacular granite outcroppings, historic stone walls, and a variety of deciduous trees. Wood Frog Way trail leads to a pond where one may observe wood ducks, other birds, wildlife or be serenaded by a frog symphony. In 2021, the Stewardship Committee worked with a local resident and master’s student, Kimberely Berry, to install a “Hunt for Nature” project that featured handcrafted bird houses to support native bird population, fact sheets and fun-filled activities. The project focused on using environmental art to engage and educate trail users about the native wetland and wildlife species in the area. You can download fun activities you can do with your family from the website.

To download a Town Forest map click here

Please click to learn more about the Stewardship Committee or to explore other trail systems in town, visit the Trails Committee.

Views from the trail: