Bright yellow leaves wreathe the entrance to the trail at Choate Park
The oaks are particularly stunning this fall as the foliage season stretches past what we normally expect. But there are also maple trees that did not seem to get the message that they were supposed to change color in October.
Small maple tree growing next to an intermittent stream in that flows through the woods near Choate Park
Here it is, early November, and the bright yellows, reds and even pinks of different trees and shrubs are filling the woods with vibrant hues.
Winged euonymus provides bright pink foliage
I’ve had Choate Park in Medway on my list of places to visit while there is still foliage to enjoy, and got the chance this morning to get out before rain arrives later in the day.
Choate Pond in its late fall glory
The overcast sky offered less light, but I take what I can get. My faithful walking buddy Catherine met up with me and we headed out. She had never been to Choate Park, so this was a chance to introduce her to a new walking spot. Such fun!
Catherine making friends with “Choatie”
The first thing we made sure to do was to visit “Choatie,” the turtle in the sandbox next to the swimming beach at Choate Pond. Catherine was charmed. As we walked toward the trail that connects the park to Medway High School, we encountered yet another turtle, but this guy reminded me more of ninja turtles than warm, fuzzy sweet turtles.
Ninja Choatie Turtle
We took his picture (I feel sure it was a “he”) and went on our way.
This trail is a true “easy walk” along a graveled path through the woods
The trail between the park and high school has a relatively smooth, graveled surface, manageable for parents with strollers, and quite nice for casual walkers. Bikes can travel on this trail with ease as well.
The maple in someone’s yard glows as we walked along the trail
Along the trail we spied winged euonymus, high bush blueberries, and even some maple trees. Houses are visible along one border of the path, and we spotted some gloriously bright maple trees in someone’s yard.
Bright oak foliage rings the athletic fields at Medway High school
When we reached the back side of the high school we got some nice views of the oaks that line the edges of the woods, next to the athletic fields. While I’m sure this area is not always so quiet, at mid-day when we visited we had the trail and the open fields all to ourselves.
Chicken Brook flowing into Choate Pond
On our way back we stopped to see the foliage at Chicken Brook, which flows south from Idlybrook, (with more trails) which is north of Choate Park. We were rewarded with yet more views of brilliant late season foliage. And then it was time to head for home. Winter is coming, but it’s not here yet!
Marjorie
Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors, and is the author of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, More Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, Easy Walks and Paddles in the Ten Mile River Watershed, and Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are. Her memoir, the backstory of Easy Walks, is My Liturgy of Easy Walks: Reclaiming hope in a world turned upside down.
Marjorie Turner Hollman 