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Newton Park and Conservation Lands
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Kennard Park and Conservation Area |
LONGEST WALK : 1.7 miles, on loop including Lost Pond
(a longer walk that includes this park)
ACQUIRED: Park: 1982;
Conservation area: 1978
ADMINISTERED BY: Park:
Parks and Recreation
Conservation area: Conservation Commission
FEATURES:
This is a post-agricultural forest grown
up on 19th century farmland. The mixed and conifer woodlands reveal
colonial stone walls, a
red maple swamp with century-old trees, and a sensitive
fern marsh.
The park has a perennial garden of flowering plants and shrubs and
an apple and pear orchard.
There's also a wooded hillside with puddingstone and Brighton Volcanic
outcrops. Pigeon Hill is a woodland with a circular stone wall.
The conservation area protects the South Meadow watershed. The house
is leased to support park maintenance and is not open to the public.
HISTORY:
| 1906 |
Dr. Harrison Kennard
bought the land. Previous owner used to shoot passenger pigeons
on Pigeon Hill and sell them at Faneuil Hall. |
| 1978 |
City acquired
32.2 acres from the Kennard family. |
| 1982 |
More land and
the house were willed to the city by Dr. Kennard for Kennard
Park. |
ADVOCATES & CARETAKERS:
Managed by Kennard Park Board of Trustees.
TRAIL NOTE:
A trail from Kennard Park to Lost Pond begins
on the driveway that starts at the Dudley Road entrance to the park.
However, a hiker heading up the driveway towards the trail will
first see a sign saying: "Private Property. 244 Dudley. Private
Road. Dead End. No Trespassing." The trailhead is about 50
feet farther up the driveway. The portion of the driveway that leads
to the trailhead is on public land, and walkers are permitted to
use it to reach the trailhead. See photos, below.
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Private Property sign
The trailhead begins at the large tree
just past the rhododendron bushes visible at left.
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The trailhead;
note the rectangular red blazes on the tree. (Click
the photo to see a larger image.) |
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