Author Archives: Marjorie

by | December 10, 2017 · 4:54 pm

Walking Through History-the Trolley Line to Silver Lake, Bellingham

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Winter’s first snow in the woods behind Silver Lake, Bellingham

I often get the feeling I’m crossing into another place and time when I stride through the woods right behind my house in Bellingham. We live within sight of Silver Lake, which at one time was the local “hot spot” for entertainment of all kinds–a carousel carried wooden horse in endless circles in the beach area, and a dance hall offered Big Band tunes in the 1940’s. I hear there were even performing horses that dove into the lake from great heights! Continue reading →

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by | December 4, 2017 · 5:31 pm

Traveling where many have gone before-Medfield State Hospital grounds

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Views of the Charles River

Medfield State Hospital operated from 1892-2003 as a state mental hospital, sometimes referred to as an insane asylum. Now owned by the town of Medfield, the grounds are open to the public during daytime hours, and offer some stunning views of the Charles River. Accessed from Old Hospital Road, just off Rt. 27, north of Medfield Center, the property is surrounded by Charles River floodplain. Continue reading →

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by | December 1, 2017 · 4:38 pm

Discovering the Ten Mile River–Downtown Attleboro

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Almost directly behind the Attleboro Public Library the Ten Mile River flows through downtown Attleboro.

In years past rivers were viewed as convenient dumping grounds, a quick way to flush away unwanted…everything. The past 30 years has brought a sea change in how cities and towns value their watersheds. But a challenge remains. A lot of the infrastructure of local downtowns for the most part blocks, or turns its back on their rivers. The rivers were a big part of why the cities grew up where they did. Attleboro, MA is no exception.

The Ten Mile River and Bungay Brook, which feeds into the Ten Mile River, flows right through the heart of downtown Attleboro, Continue reading →

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by | November 30, 2017 · 11:00 am

A Healing Easy Walk at Hopkinton State Park

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Along the lakeshore at Hopkinton State Park in winter

When I learned that my grandgirl might have sustained a concussion, I wanted to help. Turns out, getting her outside for an Easy Walk was what was helpful. Hopkinton State Park was near where I picked her up, and I figured a walk alongside the lake at this state park would offer some variety and mostly level footpaths, off pavement. Continue reading →

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by | November 26, 2017 · 5:04 pm

Finding Easy Walks Around the Corner-Blackstone Bikeway and Riverbend Farm

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A favorite picture spot along the Blackstone Canal

Life has been moving rather slowly around here as one of us recovers from a back injury, the other from pinched nerves in the shoulder. What this has meant in practice is that we’ve stayed very close to home, rejoicing in the presence of local wildlife in the pond our home overlooks, but not straying far from home. Continue reading →

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by | November 20, 2017 · 4:33 pm

Walking Familiar Paths, Finding the Unfamiliar–Otters and Beavers!

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Silver Lake on a late fall afternoon

I have spent the past several years seeking out new places to walk as I document local trails in this area. Each trail included in my Easy Walks in Massachusetts publications is carefully considered. But over the years I have lived in New England, the one spot I have visited more than any other is literally right in my backyard. Our house overlooks Silver Lake in Bellingham, and I need only pull on my coat, step outside, and I’m on my way. Continue reading →

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by | October 20, 2017 · 3:10 pm

A New Trail in Medway

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Enjoying the foliage on the boardwalk

I’ve been hearing about the new boardwalk the Medway open space committee worked to install but wasn’t sure where exactly the boardwalk is. But now I know! Continue reading →

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by | October 19, 2017 · 11:13 am

A Riverwalk, Attleboro

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Views of the TenMile River, alongside the Attleboro Riverwalk

When I first started doing research for what became what is now a trail guide series, Easy Walks in Massachusetts, I could not have imagined how far the project would take me. I’ve experienced the joy of encountering Easy Walks in Massachusetts towns near and far, in different states, as far away as California, and even overseas to Ireland. But it is the places nearby, close to home, that I continue to return to and get great pleasure from. Even though we bemoan the continued loss of habitat in this heavily populated area of New England, I am humbled by the efforts of local folks to open up trails, work to make pathways more accessible, and even create trails where there were none. That’s what we found when we visited Attleboro recently. Continue reading →

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by | October 18, 2017 · 11:38 am

Trail development-Lane Homestead, Foxboro, MA

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Fall is finally arriving at the Neponset Reservoir in Foxboro

The first time I visited the Lane Homestead, on North Street in Foxboro, not only was it difficult to find, it was challenging to find a place to park my car.

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Landscaped entrance to Lane Homestead, along with Education center

I visited the same area recently and found: a flashing light at the entrance to the property (evidently warning about the railroad crossing a few yards down the road), paved parking areas, a handicapped accessible deck over the Neponset River, a learning center, Continue reading →

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by | October 16, 2017 · 3:35 pm

Return to Attleboro-Oak Knoll, MA Audubon

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Fall colors shine through as we circled the lake

Now that the cooler weather appears to have returned in earnest, I am anxious to get out and better understand the towns that host the Ten Mile River. The Ten Mile River Watershed Council has been working with me since last spring to pull together the latest Easy Walks book. Watershed Council members have been providing me with information about the trails and paddles available in the host towns of the watershed. But I’m the one who needs to draw the maps, and it really helps to get out on the roads, and start understanding where the river flows, and where open space has been preserved and is available for people to come visit and enjoy. Continue reading →

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