Getting to work on the next book-North Attleboro WWI Park

Amazing view found at the WWI memorial park in North Attleboro

In the coming months, expect to start seeing more reports from the towns of Plainville, North Attleboro, Attleboro, Seekonk, and Pawtucket and E. Providence in Rhode Island. The TenMile River WAtershed Council is collaborating with me to create the third in the Easy Walks trail guide series, and they have been hard at work getting me reports, photos, and fieldwork information about trails and canoe and kayak put-ins in the towns that host the Ten Mile River. Much of what I’ve received so far has been in Seekonk and E. Providence. Plainville and North Attleboro, Attleboro are pretty close to where I live so I’ve started making plans to explore trails up closer to my home to contribute to the needed fieldwork for this project. Plus, I just haven’t been able to wait to see some of these special places for myself.

Stone gates at entrance to the park on Elmwood Street

Today I met up with a new friend, Janine, who walks almost daily, and she was happy to be my guide. We set out for the WWI Memorial park at 446 Elmwood Street, North Attleboro, almost directly across from the North Attleboro YMCA.

Several loop trails are available at this city-owned park, and a dedicated walking lane is clearly marked on the edge of the paved road that travels through the park. We did not visit the zoo today, nor did we stop at any of the playgrounds.

One of the 9 “disc golf” holes within the park

We spotted portions of the 9-hole disc golf course that is within the park’s boundaries. We chose to follow the white trail, accessed from the parking next to Petti Field, a simple 1-mile loop trail.

Heading out on the White trail

As soon as we stepped onto the trail we spotted green apples, and discovered an old apple tree next to the trail.

Apples along the trail

Grape vines grew on the opposite side of the trail, although we saw no sign of grapes. One part of the trail travels along a graveled access path underneath power lines. Another portion of the trail took us through a quiet woodland area. We encountered a large fallen tree across the trail, and we hope the North Attleboro Parks and Recreation department will get a crew out soon to remove this obstruction. We managed to get by, but it will be safer once the barrier is removed.

Headed up the trail

The terrain is varied along this trail, with some ups and downs that add interest to the trip.

Cool rocks along the trail

Some large boulders caught our eye–we later found a sign pointing to where we has just walked, indicating that it was the “Balancing rock trail.”

Janine enjoying the view

Before we left the park we stopped at the overlook–a newly developed section of the park. The spot offers a nice view to the east of the park. A substantial swath of trees that had blocked the view has been removed.

Humor along with a view

The nearby fire tower is no longer open to the public, but the improved view next to the small gazebo is probably one of the easiest spots in the area to access a view of the surrounding countryside.

Lookout Point–just a few steps away

For a map and other information about the WWI park, head over here.

There are many other places we’d like to include in the upcoming “Easy Walks in the Ten Mile River watershed,” so stay tuned!

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.