Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
Overlooking Buzzards Bay, on the Hurricane barrier, with Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, in the distance
LISTEN HERE:
Where can you go in New England when the weather has handed you a week + of ice laden trails (and sidewalks, and parking lots, and paths to your compost)? For us, we chose to head to the shore, specifically Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
LISTEN HERE:
Entrance to The Glen open space trail
“The Glen” walking path was known in the past to area residents (and golfers) as the Glen Ellen Country Club. After the land’s sale to Toll Brothers, the site was developed into a 55+ housing community. Six different review boards in Millis advocated strongly to retain some open space there. Ultimately one hundred or so acres of the former golf course adjacent to Bogastow Brook is now open the public as a maintained walking trail system.
Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
LISTEN HERE:
Danforth Falls
On a mild day in late December we headed to Hudson, Massachusetts to explore the area of Danforth Falls, a natural, not man-made cascade. Natural waterfalls are not a common feature in eastern Masschusetts.
Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
LISTEN HERE:
Amazing views along Cape Cod Canal
We have visited the Cape Cod Canal countless times. As colder weather sets in we can count on seeing multiple flocks of eiders swimming near the shore as we stroll along the paved walkway overlooking the waterway.
Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
LISTEN HERE:
Percé Rock
It’s the rock that will grab you when you come around the bend in the road. Massive, kinda rectangular. My first view was near sunset. The light hit the massive stone structure just off shore and turned it a glowing gold-reddish hue. A small arch at the bottom, at sea level, added an intriguing detail to this iconic landmark, Percé Rock, just offshore from the boardwalk and bustling tourist town of Percé.
Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
Visiting Gooseberry Island on a warm day (note the shorts–not what I wear in winter)
LISTEN HERE:
One of my favorite pieces of shoreline is on the southeast coast of Massachusetts. New England is well known for its rugged, rocky coast. This little spit of land, Gooseberry Island, juts out into Long Island Sound and has some sandy beaches and oversize boulders. A causeway allows visitors to drive out onto the island.
Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
Newest section of the Blackstone River Greenway/Bikeway now open!
LISTEN HERE:
Because the process of developing rail trails is such a monumental effort, the easiest sections are generally completed first. (Higher in elevation, already somewhat cleared, lacking encroachment from neighbors). Tying together these disparate, already completed sections of one proposed project is a challenge. When new connections are established the rail trail becomes more attractive for those of us who enjoy traveling by bicycle. And thus, my enthusiasm as we watched progress on the Blackstone Riverway rail trail extension from Blackstone, Massachusetts into Rhode Island.
Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
LISTEN HERE:
On a warm November day we headed over to Medfield, MA to visit the relatively new Medfield Rail Trail. The path is a work in progress as part of the Bay Colony Rail trail, with plans to connect with more of the rail trail located in Dover, Needham and Newton. The Needham and Newton portions are finished while the Dover section is in the planning stage. An updated mapfrom December, 2023 details the completed sections of trail and the plans for further development of this recreational resource. It is also is part of the much larger trail network of the Bay Circuit trail.
Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.
LISTEN HERE:
The Medway (MA) Trails Club and Open Space Committee have been hard at work since I last updated the 2nd edition of Easy Walks in Massachusetts in 2016. I recently visited Medway a couple of times to see for myself the changes that have taken place. Here’s a link to maps of all the open space in Medway.
As I work to update the book, my first outing to Choate Park this year with my friend Nancy was simply to capture some of the stunning foliage around Choate Pond, just off Rt. 109 in Medway. The trees did not disappoint. Watery reflections doubled the display of fall color.
Turtles resting on a log in Choate Pond
In the afternoon sunlight a row of turtles perched themselves on a tree trunk that had conveniently fallen into the pond.
Stone walls follow parts of the path from Choate Park onto Medway High School and beyond
The trail to Medway High School is accessed directly from the Choate Park recreation area. Keep an eye out in the afternoon when school is dismissed. Students use this trail when leaving for the day. The Cross Country (CC) team also uses this area as their CC race course. Plan to enjoy the quiet, stone walls, a small stream, and access to additional trails which will take ambitious walkers on several more miles of trail.
I learned that a new parking area, with access to a handicapped accessible path through the Adams Street meadow, is now useable.
Packed stone dust path encircles the Adams St. meadow
The grand opening for the trail is not yet scheduled, but the trail and parking area are finished and ready for visitors.
My tour guide Andrea
A member of the Open Space committee, Andrea, joined me for my visit to the meadow. Thanks to the hard work of local committees and additional funding through an RTP grant from Massachusetts Division of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the meadow trail provides a paved handicapped accessible parking area. The crushed stone path takes visitors around the circumference of the meadow.
One of several benches in place along the Meadow trail
Multiple benches and picnic tables provide places to rest, or simply spend some time enjoying the view.
Viewing platform, overlooking the meadow
Species such as bluebirds and bobolinks need open space such as the Adams St. meadow to thrive. A handicapped accessible viewing platform hosts a bench for those looking to spend some time relaxing there. Additional connecting trails take visitors behind Medway High School back toward Choate Park.
Boardwalk over Chicken Brook
Yet another trail system on the other side of Adams St. hosts two boardwalks that cross Chicken Brook (a tributary of the Charles River). This portion of the trail has a small parking area on Adams St. next to the high tension wires that cross the area. The path from the high tension wires goes through woodland and wetland (thus the boardwalks) on its way to a small parking area on Lovering Street. Both Adams and Lovering Street and their parking areas are accessed from Summer Street (Rt. 126) in Medway.
Parking area at high tension lines on Adams St.Parking area sign at Lovering St.
I was excited to see all the progress that has occurred since I released the second edition of Easy Walks in Massachusetts. Our local rail trails have seen the most progress in connecting portions of trail from one town to the next. The town-owned open space of Choate Park is impressive, not only for efforts within the town to provide better access to their trail network, but for the countless volunteer hours that have contributed to making well marked trails available for residents and visitors alike.
Choate Park and its network of trails in Medway, MA are a worthwhile destination for sure. Happy trails!
Years ago my husband and I visited often the Acton Arboretum, just off Rt. 2 on Taylor Road. On our previous visit the parking area was rough with potholes, but a few of the paths were handicapped accessible. Some benches were available here and there.
Returning ten years later, we were amazed at the positive changes that have made this open space into a destination I would highly recommend.
Marjorie Turner Hollman 