Tag Archives: finding easy walks

From rails to trails, the SNETT

Grade crossing at Center St. Bellingham, then… Photo courtesy Bellingham Historical Commission (BHC)
And now…. SNETT, Center Street and Fox Run Road, Bellingham, MA

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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. Learn more.

The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) consists of the rail bed of what was originally called the Norfolk County Railroad, now turned into a rail trail. During its years of operation the railroad changed hands multiple times and had various names. By the early 1900s the railroad was referred to as The Milk Train, since it provided a vital milk delivery service for farmers outside Boston and milk distributors in the city.

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Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, MA

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

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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.

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Cutler Park, Needham, MA

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.

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Sunset at Kendrick Pond, Cutler Park Reservation

We have visited Cutler Park in Needham multiple times with family that lives nearby, but I keep forgetting to grab photos. This trip, I made sure to slow down and pay closer attention. More walking, less talking. The reservation is easy to get to, has substantial parking, and offers some nice water views of Kendrick Pond.

Steel rails remain in the parking area next to the trail

A remnant of the railroad that used to travel here is visible in the parking area next to the trailhead.

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The Glen, Millis, MA

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.

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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.

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Danforth Falls, Hudson, MA

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.

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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.

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Cape Cod Canal in winter

Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

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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.

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Percé, Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec, Canada

Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

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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.

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It’s the cobbles, at Gooseberry Island

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)

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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.

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Blackstone River Greenway/SNETT keeps getting longer (better!)

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!

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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.

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Medfield, MA rail trail

Trail head, Medfield Rail Trail

Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

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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 map from 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.

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