Rocky Woods

Rocky Woods
Open Space Preserve
Country United States
State Massachusetts
Location Medfield
 - coordinates
Biome Oak-hickory forest,
rocky ledges, wetlands
Plant Red Oak, Eastern White Pine,
Eastern Red Cedar
Animal Bull frog, Painted turtle
Founded 1942
Management The Trustees of Reservations
Area 491 acres (199 ha)
Website: Rocky Woods

Rocky Woods is a 491-acre (199 ha) open space preserve located in Medfield, Massachusetts. The preserve, managed by the land conservation non-profit organization The Trustees of Reservations, is notable for its rugged terrain. Rocky Woods offers 6.5 miles (10.5 km) of trails and former woods roads available for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, catch and release fishing, and cross country skiing. Rocky Woods is a spur link in the 200-mile (320 km) Bay Circuit Trail system. The preserve is part of a larger area of protected open space including the abutting Fork Factory Brook preserve, also managed by The Trustees of Reservations.

Contents

Terrain and History

Rocky Woods contains rugged, granite hills and knolls with occasional scenic vistas, boulder caves, rock formations, narrow ravines and defiles, glacial erratics, and local boulders. Six pondlets (originally constructed as fire suppression pump ponds) are located on the property: Chickering Pond, Echo Pond, Notch Pond, June Pond, Little Chickering Pond, and part of an unnamed sixth pond. The rugged, rocky terrain of Rocky Woods was formed via glacial action during the last ice age through glacial plucking and scouring.

During the colonial 18th century, Rocky Woods had been divided into common land woodlots. A network of logging roads, paved with asphalt shingle scraps, were cut through the property in the 19th century and used to transport granite quarried on site.

The property was originally preserved by Dr. Joel Goldthwait in the 1920s, who donated the original parcels to The Trustees of the Reservations in 1942. Additional land acquired by other donors from 1946 through 1983 through more than ten gifts.

Recreation

A network of trails span the property and connect with the abutting Fork Factory Brook reservation. The property contains a number of scenic vistas; most prominent is Cedar Hill, 435 feet (133 m), which offers views to the east from eastern red cedar clad ledges. Dog walking is permitted on selected trails under The Trustees of Reservations "Green Dog" program. Swimming is prohibited. Preserve amenities include picnic tables and pavilion, playground, off street parking lots, and restrooms.

Rocky Woods shares a trailhead with Fork Factory Brook, located on Hartford Road in Medfield.

References

External links