A perfect spot to sit and rest awhile along the trailMercy Woods in Cumberland, RI is a new property added recently to the Cumbland Land Trust outdoor spaces open to the public. 229 acres of open space with trails offers a great option for visitors to explore the trails. The trails are well-marked, wide, and relatively smooth. The landscape is hilly, and the trails offer a lot of elevation change.
Wide, well-marked paths offer great guidance as visitors walk the trails of Mercy Woods
We heard a lot of road noise from Route 121, a heavily traveled road adjacent to these woods. But once we got away from the road the noise abated, and we enjoyed the quiet of the woodland trails.
We had some questions about where the trail went from here, but found our way.
We were able to walk a loop that returned us to where we started, but had some challenges following the trail as it crossed wide open fields near the buildings.
Many stone walls criss-cross Mercy Woods
Muoltiple stone walls cluttered the area as we traipsed through the woods, a reminder of the property’s past and its use as agricultural land. Pressently the property offers open space and a buffer for the nearby Diamond Hill Reservoir, an important source of fresh water for area residents.
While the bridge was not needed the day of our visit, spring rains will make this area much wetter.
We found some wetlands and a small pond in the area. A bridge stood ready to help us across what will in springtime surely be a wet area.
Mercy Woods is adjacent to and surrounds both Mercy Mount Day School, and Mount St. Rita Health Center. Be mindful of these institutions and do not block any entrances to the facilities with your vehicles. Happy Trails!
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 
I’ve been to Mercy woods looking for the Warner trail . The warner Trail supposedly passes from Diamond Hill in Cumberland , to Sharon MA. , but is very vaguely marked by small , round , white trail markers . It is not an easy walk , as the trail is very tight , and seems to crest every hill in the woods , on the parts I could find .
I did notice many “Striped Wintergreen” , on my walks through Mercy Woods . This is a protected and rare plant in Maine and Vermont .
The Warner Trail is problematic since the folks who maintained it have aged out and no one has been willing to step in to keep it clear. It was all volunteers. Mercy Woods itself offers some very easy walking.