Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
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Returning to where we have been before says a lot about our enjoyment level. Some are, for me, one and done. But I look forward to returning to others, like Powers Farm, Randolph, MA, when the opportunity presents itself.
My first reason to visit was simply to see what my collaborators, Marilyn and Dave Doré, of Easy Walks South of Boston, had written about. They did the field work for me, and told me Powers Farm was their “new favorite destination.” They documented 17 towns and over 50 trails that are all included in the newest Easy Walks book.
Being responsible for the marketing of the book, I wanted to spend some time at these locations so I could offer my own impressions of various destinations I will be sharing in public presentations.
My first visit turned out to be a warm day (for me). The broad, sunny, open fields and level paths invited exploration. Late summer flowers filled the meadows. But the sun was too much for me, so I headed to the handicapped accessible boardwalk through the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp. There, cooling breezes offered me a respite from the heat. Hummocks of plants that thrive in wet environments were just below our feet. It was a lovely, interesting walk along a solidly built, wide path through the swamp.
On that first visit we had many other locations on our list of places to see, so we did not linger. But we have family members (besides me!) who need Easy Walks. After having seen what it had to offer, I suggested our family head over to explore more of Powers Farm.
On a fall day on the weekend, Powers Farm was surprisingly uncrowded and a great spot to spend a couple of hours together. The paths are wide enough to allow for easy conversations as we strolled along. The sounds of Rt. 24 were audible in the distance but not oppressive.
It was a perfect day to get outside and wander. Powers Farm is mostly sunny, but on this, my second visit, the air was cooler. Fall colors were beginning to show. The summer flowers had mostly gone to seed. Grasses had been mowed along the edge of the crushed stone walkways.
This time we headed into the cedar swamp to allow for space between us and a large family that was enjoying the same trail around Norroway Pond. Once we completed the boardwalk circuit that brought us back to the pond again, we had the path mostly to ourselves as we strolled along the waterway.
On the far side of the pond the footpath was slightly rougher than closer to the farm fields, but we were able to manage the few roots and rocks we encountered. For those with extremely limited mobility the paths through the field, the boardwalk, and the nearest section of trail alongside the water are the best options. All are handicapped accessible.
We found several benches, most in the sunniest areas of the farm. On the far side of the pond we found a rustic bench and some raised, level rocks that offered resting spots next to the water. Some of our group have a strong musical bent; a long, metal bench offered a great opportunity to “play” the strips of metal that constituted the resting spot.
All together we had a great time and look forward to our next visit. 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, Easy Walks South of Boston 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 