Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
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Beaver Pond is quite close to downtown Franklin, MA, but feels a world away from the bustle of Dean College, churches, businesses, the town common, and the well-used commuter rail station. Rt. 495 skirts this conservation area, so quiet is not at the top of the list of attractions here. Despite the noise, the views are lovely, both from the beach area overlooking the water, and amidst the tree-lined path that skirts the edge of the pond.
A trail was established on top of what appears to have been a former rail bed. At the far end, away from the beach area, the path meets a paved access for the Town of Franklin DPW facilities. What is now this access road crosses wetlands, which offers another clue that this was also a railroad spur. Constructing rail beds through swamps was a common practice when railroads were being built.
We were the only human visitors to this area that in summer is crowded with families seeking to beat the heat. Athletic fields draw others to the area too. We, who are not Franklin residents, visit here “off-season” since access is restricted to Franklin residents in warmer months.
The day we visited in early January the water was still open and host to a large flock of Canada geese and a smaller group of hooded mergansers.
Geese lined the shoreline while the mergansers kept their distance out farther from shore.
A clear, quite level dirt track skirts the edge of the pond and offers water views on either side of the trail. The absence of roots or rocks fits my definition of an Easy Walk. (Not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way.) At the end of the dirt track the paved DPW access road had a locked gate which blocked our way to the loop trail around the pond. Instead of circling the pond we turned left and walked along the pavement, away from 495. More water views await visitors on either side of the road that crosses wetlands on both sides. A culvert provided an outlet from the wetlands on one side of the road to the other.
Invasive phragmites, while quite pretty, have crowded out native species of plants. Despite this, a small flock of black ducks paddled about in an area of open water surrounded by the invasives.
Much of this slower-moving water was iced over but the ducks still found room for feeding.
On our way back toward the beach area we came to a small spur trail which is less-used but quite walkable. Here we found confirmation that Beaver Pond was well-named. We spotted signs of beaver every few steps. Small tree trunks were cut down in characteristic beaver fashion. Larger trees displayed scraped areas where beavers had filed their teeth on the bark. Other quite large trees had toppled into the water after having been felled by the industrious rodents (yes, that’s the family they fit into).
This smaller path, less traveled but interesting, offered some barriers to our passage. Small branches lay across the wooded track. Cat briar in places thrived next to the path. One or two muddy spots made me glad we’d worn our boots.
The smaller side path circled back to the entrance of the park near the athletic fields. Once back at the sand beach we stopped for a rest at the picnic table and gave my walking partner a chance to get some wildlife photos. The noise of Rt. 495 was constant, so this is not the best destination if you unable to tune out the din.
The background traffic sounds appeared to have little or no effect on the geese and ducks’ search for food.
We visited on a day when snow had been washed away. We walked confidently on the dirt and paved sections of this area. As with all winter walks, watch your step, use hiking poles for balance and support, and dress for the weather conditions. So much awaits us when we get outdoors, even in colder weather. Be safe and 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 