Rocky Woods Fork Factory Brook Management Plan 1996

Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations

Management Plan

1996

The Trustees of Reservations 572 Essex Street Beverly, MA 01915-1530

Contents

Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations Management Plan ______

i. Acknowledgments ...... Page 1

I. Executive Summary...... Page 2

II. Introduction...... Page 7

III. Natural Resource Management...... Page 10

IV. Historic Resource Management...... Page 22

V. Visitor Services...... Page 29

VI. Chickering Pond Area...... Page 40

VII. Land Acquisition and Conservation ...... Page 52

VIII. Plan Implementation...... Page 55

IX. Appendices ...... Page 57

Maps Included:

1. Property Trail Map (located in front pocket) 2. Vegetation Map 3. Natural and Historic Resources: Highlights and Issues 4. Regional Open Space 5. Chickering Pond: Existing Conditions 6. Chickering Pond: Conceptual Master Plan

Photographs and Drawings:

Photographs were provided by Betsey Horovitz, Lisa Vernegaard, and The Trustees archives. Illustrations of amphibians are by Abigail Rorer; illustration of Tufted Titmouse are by Charles Joslin; all are reprinted from New England Wildlife by Richard M. DeGraaf and Deborah D. Rudis.

i i. Acknowledgments

Over the past 100 years, The Trustees of Reservations has worked to protect special places in Massachusetts. These protection efforts have relied upon a strong tradition of collaboration between professionals, volunteers and other conservation organizations.

The following management plan for Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations offers yet another example of that successful partnership. Many people have contributed their valuable time, have shared their expertise, and have offered their advice and friendship during this lengthy process. Carrying the load was a committee that consisted of volunteers from the local community and several Trustees staff members. Committee members included:

Volunteers: Staff: Paul Horovitz, Chair Lisa Vernegaard, Associate Director for Steven Brown Planning and Ecology Robert Costello Tom Foster, Southeast Regional Supervisor William Goldthwait Mark Bailey, Superintendent, Charles River Jane Hayes Valley Management Unit Eric O’Brien Caroline Standley Electa Tritsch Robert (Ridge) White

In turn, the committee worked with several other professionals and community members to develop the plan. Skip Burck, of Richard Burck Associates was able to take the committee’s ideas for improving the Chickering Pond area and turn these ideas into a sound landscape design. Elissa Landre, the director of Massachusetts Audubon’s Broadmoor Sanctuary, and Jim Earley, the director of Hale Reservation, provided the committee with critical input as plans for visitor services were developed. Sandi Keyes, the director of Medfield’s Park and Recreation Department worked with staff to develop pilot programs that will facilitate improved use of the properties by the local community.

Several Trustees’ staff members also made critical contributions to the plan. Russ Hopping’s plant community inventory and breeding bird survey provided the basis for the natural resource management chapter. Val Talmage, conservation specialist, contributed the chapter on land acquisition and conservation, and provided guidance in the development of the historic resource management chapter. Finally, Kendra Crosby, The Trustees’ GIS specialist, developed and produced the many high quality maps that are included in the report.

Because of their participation and thoughtfulness, and for their many hours of work on behalf of the project, Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations will most certainly continue to be a success in The Trustees’ efforts to preserve special places in Massachusetts.

Frederic Winthrop, Jr. Director

I. Executive Summary

Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations pose terrific opportunities and challenges for The Trustees of Reservations (“The Trustees”). The properties’ 630 acres of rolling woodland, extensive wetlands, and historic landscapes provide enjoyment for thousands of visitors a year and support a diversity of plants and animals vital to the area’s ecosystem.

Visitor use and resource management challenges have changed significantly since Dr. Joel Goldthwait’s original donation of land in 1945. Once a local hub of active recreational activity, visitors now come to the properties in search of a chance to quietly enjoy a scenic, natural area. Suburban sprawl pushes against the properties’ boundaries, and the need to protect the natural and historic resources found within those boundaries has become critically important.

To keep pace with the changes in visitor use and evolving resource protection challenges, The Trustees worked with a local planning committee to define goals, priorities and specific actions for managing Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook. In the following plan, the committee recommends a set of specific actions for the following areas:

Natural Resource Protection Historic Resource Protection Visitor Services Chickering Pond Area Rehabilitation Land Acquisition and Conservation

These recommendations have been organized into “Critical,” “Desirable,” or “Ideal” categories. This deliberate, phased approach allows The Trustees to respond to changing management issues and opportunities and provides a pragmatic solution to meeting the fiscal requirements of the plan.

2 Critical Management Objectives and Steps

Natural Resource Management:

• Provide and maintain large, undisturbed forested areas. • Address natural resource issues at Chickering Pond.

Historic Resource Management

• Complete photographic documentation of all historic sites. • Continue routine monitoring and inspection of sites. • Protect sites from vandalism; if needed, reroute trails, place brush piles or encourage poison ivy to cover and protect site . • Expand the wording in the current regulations to include the following statement: “Disturbing, removing, defacing, cutting or otherwise causing damage to a natural or historic features, sign, poster, barrier, building or other property on the Reservation is prohibited” (addition of “historic”). • Adopt as management policy the consideration of possible impacts to archaeological resources prior to undertaking ground disturbance. • Pursue preservation options with the owners of the Long Acre Farmhouse. • Prior to providing enhanced visitor access to sites (even a simple walking guide), secure important historic features. Limit the associated development activities to minor trail improvements. At sites, secure features, but avoid rebuilding. Consider archaeological impacts. Photo documentation of conditions before and after the work Consider overplanting, covering with brush, etc. to make it less easy to vandalize archeological features.

Visitor Services

• Link the Rocky Woods trails with the Fork Factory Brook trails. • Repair trail sections prone to erosion. Hot spots include the Tower Trail, portions of the Ridge Trail, and the section of the Echo Lake Trail that leads to Echo Lake. In the case of Tower Trail, staff should investigate other potential routes to lead visitors off of this hill and consider closing Tower Trail itself. • Research alternative trail materials that can be used to replace the asphalt shingles as they deteriorate. • Provide clear directional signs and an accompanying updated map. • Prepare regular press releases that describe the property and public access information. • Continue to administer the visitor use survey to monitor changing patterns in visitor use. • Set up a process for resolving visitor use conflicts. • Conduct or host special events, e.g., fall foliage days, spring Easter-egg hunt. • Work with organized groups that already have a framework for providing educational and/or recreational activities (e.g., Medfield Parks & Recreation Dept., Medfield Historical Society, Appalachian Mountain Club, Scout groups).

3 • Invite Massachusetts Audubon Society at Broadmoor and Stony Brook Reservations to use the properties as part of their school programming efforts. • Continue to host and facilitate existing school programs (e.g., Medfield 3rd grade mock Thanksgiving). • Meet with local teachers and school board representatives to explore ways that the schools can make good, responsible use of the properties. • Continue to invite organized groups of residents from local nursing homes to visit and enjoy the properties. • Develop an access plan for the properties that outlines a strategy for improving access for people with disabilities. • Continue to make available, for a fee, the pavilion and surrounding area for small (<100 people) outing groups. • Participate in an annual meeting with Medfield “representatives” to talk about what The Trustees can do for the town. This creates a forum to answer questions and offer outreach. • Encourage uses that are compatible with other goals and objectives and discourage incompatible uses. • Encourage visitors to become members of The Trustees of Reservations.

Chickering Pond Area

• Develop a visitor center area; steps include: Remove equipment buildings, mechanic’s shop, and skating lodge Remove rip rap, site walls and asphalt pavement Enlarge pond shore area Convert woodworking shop into visitor center Construct common Reconstruct picnic shelter Remove some picnic sites and construct new sites Protect and restore adjacent forested areas

• Repair/renovate staff residence.

Land Acquisition and Conservation

• There are no critical needs in this area.

Desirable Management Objectives and Steps

Natural Resource Management:

• Maintain and, where possible, expand the Outcrop Community. • Maintain and manage fields for both wildlife and crops. • Maintain the ponds at Rocky Woods and, where possible, promote wildlife use of these wetlands.

Historic Resource Management

• Complete an archaeological reconnaissance survey of the reservations to identify presently unknown sites. • Conduct additional research, including oral history on the Goldthwait family and further document the "active" recreation period at Rocky Woods. • Develop integrated interpretive plan for the natural and cultural history of the reservations.

Visitor Services

• Offer interpretive information for high use trails. • Begin to develop interpretive materials/displays that can be included in the visitor center or on bulletin boards. • Work with volunteers and other conservation professionals to provide a series of informal walks and/or lectures. • Explore cooperative relationships with other groups (e.g., scouts, colleges, etc.). • Develop and incorporate several interpretive themes into information and programming about the properties. • Review and update interpretive activities regularly to reflect new information, approaches and goals. • Closely monitor the trails at Fork Factory Brook Reservation. The foot trail that loops around the northern end of this network and that passes near wet areas may need to be reinforced to permit access during wet periods.

Chickering Pond Area

• Develop entry lot • Redevelop the area east of Chickering Pond. Steps include: Regrade slopes and enlarge beach area for picnic sites and trail. Protect and restore pond bank. Construct Pond drop-off circle

Install meadow. Rehabilitate Tot Lot area.

Land Acquisition and Conservation

• Continue to facilitate and encourage trail groups in Medfield and Dover to develop an integrated trail network that provides for linkage of parcels of protected open space. • Encourage preservation of the Long Acre Farmhouse

Ideal Management Objectives and Steps

Natural Resource Management:

• Continue research that supports managers in the understanding of the properties’ natural resources.

Historic Resource Management

• Record oral histories for activities relating to the still. • Conduct additional historical documentation on the mill site and locate artifacts produced at the Fork Factory. • Conduct specific archaeological site surveys at the mill and still sites.

Visitor Services

• Update some trails to allow for handicapped access. • Where possible develop trail linkages with other regional open space. • Develop interpretive materials/displays that can be included in the visitor center or on bulletin boards. • In conjunction with historic resource management goals, extend the Fork Factory Brook Trail across the mill site.

Chickering Pond Area

• Rehabilitate and possibly expand the small play area.

6 II. Introduction

In 1942, Dr. Joel Goldthwait donated a 490 acre parcel of land in Medfield, known as Rocky Woods, to The Trustees of Reservations. Since then, The Trustees has worked with other land owners to expand the area of protected land.1 Two notable additions came from Pliny Jewell in 1966 and Joel Goldthwait Jr. in 1973. These two parcels form Fork Factory Brook Reservation and are adjacent to Rocky Woods. Today, Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations protect 630 acres of land that includes a magnificent array of natural and historic features.

Visitor use of the properties has changed remarkably over the past 50 years. Dr. Goldthwait encouraged active recreational use, and as a result, Rocky Woods developed a four-season recreation program which, at its peak in the late 1950s, offered downhill skiing with rope tow, an outdoor ice skating program with a rustic warming lodge, paddle boats on Chickering Pond, an expansive picnic area, and a 60 foot lookout tower on Cedar Hill.

Skaters at Chickering Pond during the 1950s

During the late 1960s, these programs were beginning a slow decline in popularity and, for a myriad of reasons, were becoming increasingly cost prohibitive for The Trustees to operate. As a result, The Trustees phased out these programs between 1976 and 1983. However, the infrastructure, including the buildings, roadways and parking lot that the recreation program created was left behind and is now, for the most part, in a state of deterioration.

Despite the lack of structured programs, Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations continue to be a popular destination for people who are seeking opportunities to quietly enjoy a natural area. Popular activities include walking, picnicking, and cross-country skiing. Organized groups, such as a marine modelers club and Medfield’s Park and Recreation

1 A detailed list of land transactions can be found in Tritsch’s Historical Land Use in Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Reservations. This report is included in the properties’ Reference Notebook.

7 Department have sponsored activities at the Chickering Pond area. Today’s use requires little in terms of support facilities.

During the summer of 1994, The Trustees embarked on a process to assess its current management program for the properties and to develop a plan for future management. The planning process has included:

• Forming a planning committee made up of individuals from the Medfield area who represent a diverse set of property management perspectives. The group has met many times to review current management issues and to consider the future of the two reservations.

• Meeting with town officials and department staff to propose and discuss preliminary planning ideas.

• Interviewing community members who represent different interests in the properties.

• Initiating a visitor use survey to help The Trustees learn how visitors are using the properties and what changes they may like to see.

• Compiling a history of the properties that describes historic land use and identifies the historic features of the properties.

• Describing the site’s natural resource systems and identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources.

• Inventorying and assessing the site’s existing structures.

• Developing a landscape design plan for the Chickering Pond area.

Based on information collected in these steps, The Trustees has developed a planning framework for the future of Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations. By providing goals and outlining specific objectives, this planning framework should guide future decision-making at the properties.

Two important factors have guided this planning framework. The first factor has been The Trustees’ mission. Established in 1891 as one of the pioneer conservation organizations in the world, The Trustees of Reservations was the vision of Charles Eliot, a Boston landscape architect who recognized the need to preserve the open countryside. Eliot was convinced that open space nurtures a healthy society and that the well-being of

future generations requires the preservation of the natural and cultural landscape. Based on Eliot’s vision, The Trustees has faithfully pursued the following mission:

8 The Trustees of Reservations preserves for public use and enjoyment properties of exceptional scenic, historic and ecological value in Massachusetts and works to protect special places across the state.

The second guiding factor has been Dr. Goldthwait’s commitment to public access. While financial reality and visitor needs have evolved during the past fifty years, appropriate visitor use remains a cornerstone of the management program for these properties.

9 III. Natural Resource Management

Introduction

Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations together encompass a contiguous tract of open space that totals more than 600 acres. Rocky Woods is primarily rocky, wooded uplands while Fork Factory Brook is covered by forested wetlands and agricultural fields. Several shallow ponds are scattered throughout Rocky Woods and a stream with associated floodplain runs through the middle of the Fork Factory Brook Reservation.

These reservations provide a refuge for both wildlife and people. The diverse habitat and large acreage provide wildlife with breeding and foraging habitat while the trail system provides people with scenic recreation in an area with ever increasing development pressures.

Detailed descriptions of the properties’ soils, plant communities, and bird life can be found in the Reference Notebook. This section describes the sites’ significant ecological features, identifies current and potential issues, and outlines natural resource management options for addressing these issues. Whale Rock

Forests, Wetlands, and Fields: An introduction to plant communities at the properties

The landscape found at Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook is a product of a long history of natural disturbance and human use. Glacial action over 10,000 years ago carved the landscape and deposited a mixture of materials that gave rise to thin, acidic, sandy soils with rock outcroppings. As the accompanying map shows, plant species that tolerate these dry, nutrient poor conditions (e.g., oaks, pines, low bush blueberry) have colonized much of the reservations. In areas where water drains slowly and organic soils have accumulated, wetland adapted species such as red maple, sweet pepper bush, and sensitive fern prevail.

10 More recent disturbance has continued to influence the forest’s structure and composition. In the early 1900s, a blight eliminated the American Chestnut from the forest as a dominant canopy species. Today, chestnut persists as an understory shrub and rarely attains the stature of a small tree. Gypsy moths, introduced to Massachusetts in 1868, continue to influence the forests; occasional infestations defoliate and stress the oak woodlands and occasionally cause trees to die, creating openings in the forest where new plants can begin to grow. Although there are records of several fires during this century, their scale and intensity are not known. Regardless, fire influences forest development by releasing nutrients, opening up canopies, and stressing non-fire adapted species. Finally, weather influences

the shape and content of the forest. Annual ice storms prune Lady's Slipper canopies, and infrequent but catastrophic hurricanes can destroy large sections of mature trees, restarting the landscape’s ecological clock.

People have been changing the face of Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook for hundreds of years (see Tritsch 1996). Starting in the 17th century, part of Fork Factory’s woodland was cleared to create the agricultural fields of Long Acre Farm During the 1920s and 30s, Dr. Goldthwait impounded or excavated five ponds to provide a water supply for fire control. In the past 50 years, suburban sprawl and roadways have fragmented regional wildlife habitat. Today’s recreational activities are designed to have minimal impact on the environment, although visitors continue to influence the sites’ ecosystems by compacting soils, contributing to erosion, and disturbing wildlife that is sensitive to human activity.

The Forests

The uplands at Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook are dominated by oak and oak/ pine forests. These forests are dry with an open understory dominated by species tolerant of dry, acidic conditions. Many of the trees, especially the oaks, have thin crowns and appear to be in poor health. The trees’ marginal condition is likely the result of several stress factors, including repeated gypsy moth infestations, drought, poor soils, and other diseases or pest disturbances.

Two communities of special interest at Rocky Woods include the Chestnut Oak Community and Outcrop Community. The distribution of chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) is limited to a small area less than two acres just north of Echo Lake. This stand of chestnut oak is notable since this species is not found outside this area in either reservation and it contains some of the larger hardwoods on the reservation. In Massachusetts, Chestnut oak is most common from Worcester County westward, but is also found on the Blue Hills south of Boston.

The Outcrop Community occurs at the highest elevations within the reservations on rocky ridge tops. This community, characterized by scrub oak, dwarf chestnut oak, pitch pine, and bearberry relies on regular disturbance to keep out plants that would otherwise out-compete the outcrop flora. Historically, fire probably perpetuated this community. Today, some of

11 these patches are benefiting from periodic clearing to maintain vistas. However, several species of trees (e.g., red oak) are colonizing the exposed outcrops and shading out the species unique to this community. Without management that replicates the natural disturbance that this community requires, the Outcrop Community will eventually disappear from these reservations. Unique habitat will disappear and the overall diversity of the landscape will decline.

The Wetlands

Four kinds of wetlands occur at these reservations: shallow ponds, forested swamps, shrub swamps and temporary pools. These wetlands are sensitive habitats that significantly increase wildlife habitat diversity, regulate storm water flows, provide flood storage, improve water quality, and enhance the visual character of the site.

During the early 1900s, concern for forest fires led to the creation of five ponds to provide a water supply for fire suppression. Today, these ponds are in various stages of succession providing a diversity of wetland habitats. Chickering Lake is the largest and deepest pond, over seven feet at its deepest, and is relatively free of aquatic vegetation. Notch Pond and Echo Lake regularly experience Echo Pond partial to complete drying during summers. The shallower waters of these ponds enable emergent wetland plants, such as pond lilies, to flourish. Succession at June Pond has proceeded even further and the “pond” has actually become a shrub swamp. Little Chickering Pond, which apparently was excavated rather than impounded, holds water year-round. Pond Lily

12 Red maple swamps are the most abundant wetlands at the reservations. Roughly two thirds of Fork Factory Brook Reservation is covered with red maple swamps associated with Fork Factory Brook.

Shrub swamps occur in a few small depressions at Rocky Woods and are characterized by sweet pepperbush, buttonbush, and highbush blueberry.

Temporary pools (vernal pools) are rare at the properties but provide significant wildlife habitat. Several species of invertebrates and amphibians are totally dependent on these unique habitats because of the pools’ small size, temporary nature, and absence of fish. Adjacent wooded slopes provide amphibians with important nonbreeding habitat functions, such as feeding, shelter and overwintering sites.

Red Maples and Sweet Pepper Bush dominate the forested wetland at Fork Factory Brook Reservation

Notch Pond Fork Factory Brook

13 The Fields

The fields at Long Acre Farm

Agriculture has kept a good portion of Fork Factory Brook Reservation clear of trees for several centuries. The fields contain typical haying crops, including alfalfa, wheat and timothy which are cut several times a year. Several grassland wildlife species have been observed here, including woodchucks and tree swallows.

For detailed information about the flora of the properties, refer to “Plant Communities of Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations” which can be found in the properties’ reference notebook.

Songbirds, chipmunks and salamanders. Wildlife at the Properties

The diversity of natural communities and the combined acreage of the reservations provides habitat for many species of wildlife within the rapidly developing area southwest of Greater Metropolitan Boston. Subdivisions and roadways surround these reservations and very few options for reservation expansion exist. As development pressures increase, these reservations will increasingly become isolated from other protected open space in the area and serve as a refuge for many species dependent on large protected spaces and undeveloped forested habitats.

A wide variety of animals, from small insects to large deer use the property for foraging, nesting, and simply as a safe place to stop during travel. Although a comprehensive description of the properties’ wildlife does not exist, much can be learned by studying some of the more conspicuous inhabitants, including birds, small mammals, and amphibians.

14 Birds

Birds are the most conspicuous wildlife found on the reservations. The diversity of birds reflects the diversity of habitats found on the reservations. Forest dwelling neotropical migrant species such as the Ovenbird and Red-eyed Vireo are among the most common species and are frequently heard singing during the breeding season. Year-round residents are common as well and include Tufted Titmouse and Black-capped Chickadee. The Rufous-sided Towhee is perhaps the most common upland species and its song, “Drink-Your-Tea!” is heard frequently during the breeding season throughout Tufted Titmouse the dry uplands. The most characteristic species of the red-maple swamps is the Northern Waterthrush, another neotropical migrant found in virtually all of the forested wetlands throughout the properties. Although rarely seen, this species has a loud, characteristic song that can be heard coming from the swamps.

The Outcrop Community provides unique habitat for species dependent on scrubby, successional habitat. Because this type of habitat is dwindling in Massachusetts, species that depend on this habitat are also in decline. At Rocky Woods, species that use the Outcrop Community include Prairie Warblers and Rufous-sided Towhees. Canada Geese are common on Chickering and Little Chickering Ponds. The geese are friendly and readily approach visitors looking for handouts.

Of special interest is the possibility that Turkey Vultures are nesting on the property. While no nest has been found, adults have been flushed from areas that offer good nesting habitat (cavities between boulders) and ecologists have noticed other tell-tale signs, including a strong, pungent odor (characteristic of this species nesting sites) coming from ravines at Rocky Woods. This species, once uncommon in Massachusetts is expanding its range northward and has been reported breeding at the nearby Blue Hills Reservation.

Another species of interest is the Brown- headed Cowbird. This species is ubiquitous and common at both reservations. The cowbird is a parasitic species which lays its eggs in other birds’ nests. As cowbird chicks develop they evict the chicks and eggs of the host species. Cowbirds have been suspected of contributing to the decline of many neotropical migrants, including many of the species found at these reservations. In areas where cowbird parasitism is high, reproduction of host species can be low to none. The presence of Cowbirds warns managers that the quality of breeding habitat may be declining. Ultimately, parasitism can lead to local declines and perhaps extinction of certain species.

The worm-eating warbler, a rare and local breeder in Massachusetts is at its northern limit at Rocky Woods. This species was observed regularly at Rocky Woods during the 1995 Breeding Bird Survey along the slopes of the central ridge in dry deciduous forest. This neotropical migrant is a typically southern species which may be expanding its range northward and adds an element of interest to bird enthusiasts since breeding populations are generally local in occurrence.

For more information on birds at the reservations refer to a report on the "Breeding Bird Survey for Rocky Woods & Fork Factory Brook Reservations,” located in the reference notebook.

Mammals

During multiple visits to the Reservations throughout 1995, small mammals were conspicuously absent. Gray and red squirrels and chipmunks were seldom observed despite apparent available habitat. The reservations abound with fruit, nut and seed-bearing trees and plants. Cover for chipmunks is very common and includes Chipmunk rocky slopes and stone walls. Squirrels and chipmunks were observed in greater numbers on other Trustees’ reservations in the eastern half of the state during this same period.

White tailed deer tracks can be observed along the trails and the deer themselves are occasionally spooked, especially in areas away from trails. Thick shrub cover around wetlands and along ridge tops offers cover for deer during daylight hours. While the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has noted an increase in the deer population in the Medfield area, there does not appear to be overpopulation pressure at either property. However, as development in this area continues, and the regional deer population climbs, the properties may begin to experience overuse by deer.

16 Amphibians

Green Frogs are common in the ponds at Rocky Woods and can be heard calling throughout the summer. Pickerel Frogs take advantage of Little Chickering Pond’s cool, clear waters and nearby wooded slopes. Very few vernal pools exist at Rocky Woods and none occur at Fork Factory Brook. Vernal pools provide breeding habitat for many species of frogs, toads Green Frog and salamanders in Massachusetts. Pools at Rocky Woods likely support the common vernal pool species such as wood frogs and spotted salamanders.

Spotted Salamander Reptiles

Detailed information about the properties’ reptile population is not yet available. Common garter snakes have been spotted, and although no other species have been observed, the property provides good snake habitat. Turtles are conspicuously absent at these reservations despite apparent suitable habitat. The absence of turtles from the ponds at Rocky Woods is particularly curious. The habitat appears to be suitable and includes many basking sites, however, no turtles were observed despite multiple visits to the ponds during the summer of 1995. Common Garter Snake

Fish Species diversity is low. Pumpkin seed sunfish are common in the ponds at Rocky Woods. Their nests can be seen in shallow areas with sandy bottoms and appear as light shallow depressions. Large mouth bass are also common in Chickering Pond. Other species may occur but are not easily observed.

17 Natural Resource Management Goals and Objectives

The Trustees seeks to preserve the natural resources at Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations. To pursue this goal, The Trustees will develop a natural resource management program that protects the “pieces” of the ecosystem as well as the “links” that connect those pieces. Where possible, The Trustees will allow the ecosystem to function naturally and will protect the land from disturbances that threaten its integrity. Some of the highlights and issues related to natural resource management have been noted on the attached map.

Objective: Provide and maintain large, undisturbed forested areas [critical].

One of the significant attributes of these reservations is their large contiguous forest cover. By reducing the amount of openings and edge within the forest, wildlife, and in particular forest nesting birds, will benefit by discouraging cowbird access and other edge species that may be displacing interior species. Furthermore, large undisturbed areas promote wildlife values and are critical for some birds, including Barred Owls, Turkey Vultures and Pileated Woodpeckers. Recommended steps for preserving forest integrity include:

1. Designate sensitive areas. 2. Refrain from developing new trails, and implement measure that reduces human disturbance in sensitive areas. Management options include: a. Closing trails through sensitive areas. b. Closing sensitive areas during breeding and nesting periods. c. Educating visitors to “walk softly” on trails through these areas.

Objective: Address natural resource issues at Chickering Pond [critical].

Chickering Pond and its surroundings deserve special consideration. The area is the center of recreation at the reservations and is thus impacted more than other areas. Shoreline compaction has destroyed understory vegetation in high use areas. Trees in this area are impacted as well and will likely die with continued activity. Because of the increased human presence at Chickering Pond, Canada Geese have become established. These geese are friendly and have become accustomed to food handouts from visitors. Non-migratory concentration of geese can impoverish the water quality of lakes and ponds.

Several management steps can be taken to mitigate the negative impacts caused by human use. In large part, these measures have been incorporated into the Chickering Pond Area Master Plan.

1. Reduce erosion and siltation (see “Ponds” Section, below). 2. Rehabilitate pond shore; investigate pond shore rehabilitation strategies that solve compaction and erosion issues. 3. Provide controlled pedestrian access to pond shore, reducing the area of shore affected by people. 4. Provide interpretive material to discourage people from feeding birds. 5. Relocate picnic sites away from the water’s edge in order to protect the pond shore and its vegetation.

18 Objective: Maintain and, where possible, expand the Outcrop Community [desirable].

Management of this community will help preserve the overall species richness at these reservations by maintaining unique plant and animal species within the reservations. Specific steps:

1. Determine extent of area to be managed 2. Develop management strategy in conjunction with vista management 3. Remove invading trees and shrubs.

Objective: Maintain and manage fields for both wildlife and crops [desirable].

The fields at Fork Factory Brook Reservation have the potential to attract and support grassland birds. Grassland dependent birds have declined dramatically in Massachusetts and the northeast over the past decades. The primary reason for the decline is loss of habitat through succession and development. Most of the grassland dependent species are rare and listed in Massachusetts. Remaining habitat is crucial for these species’ continued existence in the state. These species generally require large grassland areas of over ten acres. Currently these fields are being managed for hay crops; early season haying can destroy breeding habitat and nests. However, management practices can be altered to meet the needs of both the birds and the farmer. For specific options, refer to “Agricultural Grassland Management: Guidelines for Trustees’ Managers.”

Objective: Maintain the ponds at Rocky Woods and, where possible, promote wildlife use of these wetlands [desirable].

Although “man-made”, the ponds at Rocky Woods provide several benefits to the property. Because the ponds are in differing stages of succession, they offer a variety of habitats for plants and animals not found elsewhere at the properties. This diversity also makes a walk through Rocky Woods more interesting for visitors.

Because the ponds are shallow, they are susceptible to the successional process. Within time these ponds may eventually fill in. Erosion of unstable surface soils off of nearby slopes will hasten this process, especially at Chickering Lake and Echo Pond. Some management will be necessary to maintain open water at the ponds. Managers may choose to leave some ponds alone, while opting to actively manage others. Management options for all ponds include:

1. Repair and possibly modify water control structures at Echo and Notch Ponds and maintain Chickering Pond’s water control structure. 2. Relocate or redesign parking area(s) to minimize the amount of pollutants entering nearby wetlands. 3. Install erosion control devices along trails to prevent water from washing sediment into ponds. Tower Trail is especially prone to erosion and should be closed to prevent sediment loading in Chickering Pond. 4. Install wood duck nesting boxes at Notch, June and Echo Ponds, and along Fork Factory Brook where suitable habitat exists.

19 For further detail of ponds and management at Rocky Woods see“Water Level Manipulation - Rocky Woods,” located in the reference notebook.

Objective: Continue research that supports managers in the understanding of the properties’ natural resources [ideal]. Potential intern/graduate student projects include:

1. Estimate owl habitat by identifying and mapping snags over 10” in diameter. 2. Determine the number of breeding worm-eating warblers and their distribution. 3. Conduct a small mammal survey. Describe species, population densities and identify population controls. (This project would confirm or disprove anecdotal information that suggests populations are unusually low and may determine if there are greater issues concerning small mammals at the properties.) 4. Determine the historic extent of the Outcrop Community. 5. Conduct species inventories at vernal pools. Special attention should be given to the Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum), a threatened species in Massachusetts. This species prefers dry deciduous to mixed woods dominated by oaks and hickories with white pine (Ma. Natural Heritage) and has been reported to prefer trap rock slopes (New England Wildlife, DeGraaf & Rudis). This species has been recorded throughout Massachusetts historically but recent (> 1978) reports have been concentrated in the southeast corner of the state between the Rhode Island border and the Blue Hills area. The habitat at Rocky Woods seems ideal for this species. Marble salamanders should be looked for around temporary pools under logs and rocks or in temporary pools as larvae in the spring. 6. Determine the population(s) if any of turtles and determine factors regulating population size. 7. Conduct further research on forest health issues, specifically gypsy moth impacts. 8. Conduct a deer census and/or browse survey to continue to monitor deer impacts. 9. Conduct a literature search to identify historic plant communities and wildlife occurrences. This information may suggest highlight opportunities for restoration and/or reintroductions.

20 IV. Historic Resource Management

Introduction:

The management plan for the historic properties of Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Reservations includes recommendations following the basic preservation planning sequence of identification, evaluation , protection and enhancement of historic sites. Recommendations are formulated taking into consideration the historic resources themselves, the levels of knowledge about the resources, potential threats, and the individuals and groups that are concerned and that may be helpful in preserving and interpreting the historic resources. Some of the highlights and issues associated with historic resource management are indicated on the attached map.

Identification:

The current appearance of Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations results from the ways in which people have used the land in the past, interacting with environmental processes. The fields were created; the water courses harnessed for energy; the wetlands impounded for water supply, fire protection and recreation; the woods cut for forest products; and the bedrock quarried for building materials. Without this history of human intervention, both Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservation would have developed radically different appearances and ecological habitats. Despite the significant impacts of humans on the landscape, the reservations’ historic resources are not out of the ordinary. In fact the historic resources are characteristic of the kind of remains that would be found in woodland areas throughout southern New England, particularly those located on the periphery of villages. Although the historic sites are ordinary, each represents the unique stories of the individuals who lived and worked in the area. It is exactly these kinds of remains, the traces left behind from the everyday lives of the ordinary people, that provide the basis for understanding cultural history. Every person who farmed, forested, milled, quarried and skied at these properties has their own unique story – each an individual history operating within the context of its time. It is this combination resources -- the characteristic along with the individual characters-- that makes Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations an exciting place to tell a story of New England history.

The topographic and geological resources of the area provided the ground for human activities. Rocky Woods is a rugged upland with intervening wetlands, characterized by relatively poor soils and extensive granitic bedrock outcrops. Fork Factory Brook Reservation includes the fields of Long Acre Farm, with soils noted for their agricultural suitability, as well as Fork Factory Brook itself, the source of power for a mill operation that began in the 18th century. The natural resources available at Rocky Woods allowed for certain kinds of activities, but were unsuitable for concentrated settlement. Those core settlement areas were located on the arable plain and along the Charles River where Medfield center grew. Within the context of Medfield’s cultural geography, the Rocky Woods area was rugged and nearly uninhabitable, but particularly well-suited to certain uses for just that reason.

Level of Knowledge:

21 The amount of historical information known about Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook is impressive, especially given their location on the periphery of core settlement (where historical research has been traditionally less focused). Electa Kane Tritsch, a volunteer for The Trustees, is also a professional social historian who has devoted countless hours to understanding the historic land use in Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Reservations. Her report, "Historic Land Use in Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Reservations, Medfield, Massachusetts", can be found in the Reference Notebook and provides an excellent account of the history and historic resources of the two reservations. Tritsch's comprehensive work is augmented by a timeline prepared by Jacquelyn Cressy, updating the historical research through the period of The Trustees' ownership. No archaeological field work has yet been undertaken to supplement this research, either to identify presently unknown sites or to examine known sites.

Cressy and Tritsch prepared a brief summary of historic land use in Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations, and can be found in the Reference Notebook. Therefore, this management plan will include only the briefest outline of the historical development of Rocky Woods area.

Historical Development of Rocky Woods & Fork Factory Brook Reservations:

Prehistoric Settlement. Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations are located in an area that was as remote and rugged in prehistory as in history. There are no known prehistoric sites recorded within the area, although that absence reflects more the lack of any archaeological survey rather than a presumed absence of sites. An archaeological field survey of the nearby Hale Reservation found several prehistoric activity sites; those results are a reasonable prediction of the likely sites expected at Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations. The major centers of prehistoric population were located on the Charles River. Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook were transected by native trails, providing access across this land. As a transportation corridor, these trails provided native peoples access to particular natural resources important to prehistoric economies. The kinds of prehistoric sites expected in this area are quarries and lithic workshops, small family-based winter camp sites -- perhaps located under rockshelters, and occasional hunting and food procurement sites associated with wetlands. . Historic Settlement. The area comprising Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook was remote to the centers of historic settlement. Native trails were used as early colonial roads. During later periods additional roads cut through the area -- allowing access for exploitation of natural resources. The earliest activities in the area were agricultural, with the late 17th century establishment of a farm where Long Acre Farm now exists and, in the 18th century, forestry as the land was divided into woodlots for Medfield villagers. Industrial use of the area was two fold: the location along Fork Factory Brook was established as one of the earliest mill sites in Medfield, taking advantage of the seasonal water power. Because of the insufficient flow of water during the summer, the mill site was always limited in its potential to expand. The second industrial activity was quarrying, a short lived enterprise in wrenching granite from the bedrock for use in building activity. Again, the natural conditions set a limit to the size and scope of that industrial activity, overtaken by market conditions when competing quarries with superior stone and easier access eliminated the economic exploitation of the rock. In the general category of residential use of the properties

22 belong a wide range of uses to be found in areas remote and isolated from centers of population. For example, dwelling at Long Acre Farm in the 17th century was a pioneer experience, and must have continued to feel Mill Raceway on Fork Factory isolated well into the 18th century. The establishment of Brook a still during Prohibition deep in the woods is colorful example of the unorthodox activities undertaken in remote areas. Remains from other isolated uses would not be surprising, although no evidence has yet been found. Hermits, freed blacks, Indians and others on the fringes of society were frequently relegated to the peripheries of the communities, although documenting these occurrences is challenging. During the 20th century another significant use developed at Rocky Woods: recreation. With the rise of leisure time, Medfield was one of several Massachusetts communities that saw the establishment of an active recreational area.

The Skating Lodge at Chickering Pond, circa 1957 (approx)

23 Evaluation: Historic Significance & Integrity:

Significance. In cultural geographic terms, Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook are remote -- removed from the village center, located at the margins of the town along the boundary with Dover and Westwood. Historical use of the area in general includes the kind of human activities customarily located in peripheral areas. While on the large scale, the types of uses and associated remains is as expected for "marginal" areas, the particulars of the stories of Rocky Woods, the particular human history, tell a unique story. The historical resources of Rocky Woods aren't unique or rare -- rather common and expected for remote areas.

Individually each of the sites associated with the historic development of the area may lack sufficient distinguishing features to qualify for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places. However, taken as a group, the sites representative of the kind of historic remains likely to encountered in a New England woods, a kind of rural district. These kind of historic resources, as a group, is increasingly rare, particularly in suburban Boston where so few large tracts of land have not been developed. As a group these sites tell the common story of how a Massachusetts town exploited its marginal land, giving a distinction to the whole, that is greater than each of the individual parts taken alone. And the intact survival of this kind of grouping of resources is increasingly remarkable.

Integrity. The historic resources of Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook do not include any standing structures. The farmhouse at Long Acre Farm is a significant historic property and integral to the cultural landscape of the area, but is adjacent to and not within the reservations. It is difficult to make any assessment of the integrity of the known sites in the absence of an archaeological site examination to confirm site size, content and condition. However, given the past and current land use in the area, sites appear to have been little disturbed since they were abandoned and are very likely to retain integrity. There is no obvious ground disturbance and in some cases there has been substantial overgrowth.

One exception to this general statement is the mill site. Widening of Route 109 is known to have destroyed some sections of the historic remains of the mill. The remaining portions of the site, including the raceway and foundations of a building, appear to have integrity and are the most extensive visible archaeological remains in the reservations.

Protection:

There are no active threats that require immediate attention to any historic resources in Rocky Woods or Fork Factory Brook. The sites are already part of routine inspection by property managers.

A potential threat that requires routine vigilance to avert is vandalism. Especially vulnerable is the still site where bottle collectors occasionally dig to find their piece of Medfield's colorful history.

The ruins of the mill and still are deteriorating. Walls are collapsing and the wooden vats at the still continue to decompose. From an archaeological point of view, this deterioration is not very worrying since the information content of the site remains. However, if

24 interpretation plans for the property include these sites, stabilization of the remains is important.

A third threat is the possibility of inadvertent destruction of sites from construction of recreational facilities. The degree of potential archaeological threat cannot be quantified since no comprehensive survey of Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook has identified all the sites. The potential for inadvertent destruction of unknown sites demands a thoughtful consideration of activities that will disturb previously undisturbed ground or that are located near known historic sites.

Enhancement:

Interpretation. The landscape at Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations tells the story of the interaction of people and nature over 10,000 years of human habitation of the land. The people thousands of years ago who traveled seasonally to hunt and fish, the 17th century farmers harvesting hay, the 18th mill owners who dammed the flow of Fork Factory Brook, the 19th builders who extracted stone from the land, and the recreation enthusiasts that flocked to a skating pond in the 1950s – all turned to nature for sustenance and situated themselves according to the features they valued. In turn, these people left their mark on the land. Historic Interpretation of the landscape will provide an opportunity for visitors to learn about this story and to connect with local history, on a familiar scale -- not the history associated with the heroes of history, but the every day lives of everyday people.

Historic interpretation of the Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook landscape could focus on several of the sites’ historic features. A “story line” that could attract visitors might be “Living on the edge: history at the periphery of settlement" where interpretation would explore the changing land use of the area through time. Some of the more interesting properties to feature are:

Long Acre Farm -- What was life like for those who settled this remote outpost? What did the landscape look like before they arrived, and why did they choose this particular site for farming?

Quarry site -- Interesting to focus on the technology of quarrying before power equipment. Also interesting to also talk about the real estate speculation -- how the investments went awry given changing value of quarry when the market changed.

Mill site --Interesting to focus on the technology, how the water power was harnessed and improved as new technology became available. The mill site also has a colorful investment history subject to fluctuations in the market. How did the area around the brook change when the mill was constructed?

Still -- An eccentric site, with the opportunity to explore the impact of prohibition on the lives of Medfield residents. How did it work? Who ran it? Who was its market?

Recreational history -- Goldthwait's vision for Rocky Woods was staggering. Who was he, what were his motivations and how did it operate within the community.

25 Stabilization, Restoration and Reconstruction. Plans for stabilization, restoration or reconstruction need to be coordinated with plans for interpretation.

Historic Resource Management Objectives

Identification:

• Complete an archaeological reconnaissance survey of the reservations to identify presently unknown sites [desirable].

• Record oral histories for activities relating to the still [ideal]

• Conduct additional historical documentation on the mill site and locate artifacts produced at the Fork Factory [ideal].

• Conduct additional research, including oral history on the Goldthwait family and further document the "active" recreation period at Rocky Woods [desirable].

Evaluation:

• Conduct specific archaeological site surveys at the mill and still sites [ideal].

• Complete photographic documentation of all historic sites [critical].

Protection:

• Continue routine monitoring and inspection of sites [critical].

• Protect sites from vandalism; if needed, reroute trails, place brush piles or encourage poison ivy to cover and protect site [critical].

• Expand the wording in the current regulations as follows (historic is new): “Disturbing, removing, defacing, cutting or otherwise causing damage to a natural or historic feature, sign, poster, barrier, building or other property on the Reservation is prohibited.” [critical].

• Adopt as management policy the consideration of possible impacts to archaeological resources prior to undertaking ground disturbance [critical].

• The Long Acre Farmhouse is an important element of the historical landscape. Pursue preservation options with the owners [critical].

Enhancement:

26 • Prior to providing enhanced visitor access to sites (even a simple walking guide), secure important historic features. Limit the associated development activities to minor trail improvements. At sites, secure features, but avoid rebuilding. Consider archaeological impacts. Photo documentation of conditions before and after the work Consider overplanting, covering with brush, etc. to make it less easy to vandalize archeological features [critical].

Mill site and Still site: Trail improvements at these sites should not be done until a thorough site examination has identified and documented the archaeological features. Following this archaeological work, develop plans to interpret the sites, including plans to improve visitor access, safety as well as site stabilization or restoration.

• Develop integrated interpretive plan for the natural and cultural history of the reservations. [desirable].

V. Visitor Services

Fishing at Chickering Pond

Introduction:

Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations are popular destinations for people who are seeking opportunities to quietly enjoy a natural area. Most people come to the properties to simply take a walk. The extensive, well-maintained trail system provides hiking opportunities for people of all ages and abilities: parents with small children can explore the wide, flat trails surrounding Chickering Pond, while an individual seeking a challenge or a dose of solitude can explore the more remote footpaths. Organized groups also take advantage of Rocky Woods as a gathering place and a site to host suitable recreational activities.

A Closer Look At Today’s Use

28 To learn more about visitor use at the properties, The Trustees began a visitor use study in September 1994. Highlights from the survey include2:

• people of all ages visit the properties; those in their 30s are the most frequent user; • about 40% of visitors are Trustees members; • many visitors are from Medfield and nearby towns, but many also come from the greater Metropolitan Boston area showing that these properties are both a local and regional resource. • Along with hiking other popular activities include

dog walking, cross-country Rocky Woods is a popular winter destination for skiing, picnicking and nature cross-country skiers study

• When asked what they find enjoyable about the properties, visitors talked about many assets, including:

1. the varied terrain and landscape 2. the picnic area 3. the well-kept trail system 4. tranquillity; the opportunity for solitude; that there are not too many people 5. the well-maintained (“clean”) appearance of the reservation 6. good place to take kids; easy trails and small tot-lot. 7. wildlife viewing; that this is a conservation area. 8. safety 9. the closed, paved road allows kids to ride their bikes 10. freedom to walk the dog 11. easy access

The Trustees and other organized groups also sponsor activities at the Chickering Pond Area. Typical events have included:

2 The survey can be found in the appendix. The survey was available at the Rocky Woods entrance bulletin board where visitors could self-administer the survey. A ranger actively distributed the survey on weekends. Therefore, not all visitors are captured in this survey, and it is likely that weekend visitors are better represented in the data. Thus, while the survey is not statistically rigorous, the data still provides a good glimpse at how visitors are using the properties and illuminates important visitor use issues and opportunities. 29

Fall Foliage Picnic

For the past several years, The Trustees has sponsored a fall foliage picnic. With good weather, this weekend event has attracted 5- 600 people and has included hay rides and other recreational activities.

The Fall Foliage Picnic includes blindfold walks led by Bob Costello and hayrides for kids of all ages

Easter Egg Hunt Sponsored by The Town of Medfield’s Park and Recreation Department, this weekend event has attracted 250-300 people.

School Programs

30 The Medfield public schools conduct several large programs during the school year. At Thanksgiving, all 3rd graders and their parents participate in a 2-day Mock-Thanksgiving program. During the spring, kindergarten students and their parents enjoy a barbeque and various recreational activities.

Author Jim Nail reads from his book, Whose Tracks

are These? to a group of local children.

Marine Modelers Club

8-10 times per year, a marine modelers club brings their small-scale, radio controlled boat models to Chickering Pond. The number of participants can vary from 20-50 per event.

Recreation Tours for the Elderly Volunteer Harold Caro has been providing recreational tours to Rocky Woods for the elderly for nearly 10 years. Using his motor home to provide the service, Mr. Caro takes residents of nursing and retirement homes to the Chickering Pond area where they can enjoy a picnic. With only a 3-month winter break, in any given year Mr. Caro makes 25 trips to Rocky Woods.

Harold Caro

Pavilion Rentals Since 1994, The Trustees has made the Pavilion available to private groups for a fee. The site is available on weekends and holidays, or, during the week if the group hires a ranger. In 1995, 12 groups, averaging 40-50 people each, used the site. Groups included families, churches, some businesses, and schools. Marketing has been informal (e.g., word of mouth; bulletin board posting). Newspaper advertising has not proven successful.

The Trail Network

Chickering Pond Trail

Over ten miles of trails weave their way through Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservations. The trail system includes old cart paths that follow gentle terrain and more challenging foot paths that lead visitors to some of the properties’ more remote areas. As the visitor survey results confirm, the trail network is the properties’ most important visitor amenity.

The trails at the properties are in good, but declining condition. Years ago, The Trustees stabilized many of the trails with surplus “scrap” from an asphalt shingle manufacturer. This material has proven to be very durable, although in some high use/steep slope areas, such as the Tower Trail, it has begun to give away, and erosion in now occurring. This erosion is contributing to the siltation of some of the properties’ wetlands, including Chickering Pond.

While the shingle material has shown itself to be very durable, the material also has negative aspects. First, horseback riders have complained about the asphalt scrap because it can gum up horse shoes, especially on warm days. Second, because asphalt is a petroleum-based product, one must consider whether this material is appropriate in a natural resource management area.. Third, the material is not natural; other, natural products may be aesthetically more pleasing for visitors.

32 The trail network has been well-designed, offering visitors a variety of experiences. Visitors are led to scenic vistas, to wetlands and ponds, and many loop hikes are possible. A trail map is available for visitors. Trail intersection markers and trail names noted on the map correspond to signs on the trails, enabling visitors to navigate the properties. The success of the trail system relies on good signage and easy availability of a corresponding map.

Boardwalk at Echo Lake

The Fork Factory Brook Trails are poorly known, and until recently, have not been advertised. As visitors discover this property, trail issues will emerge. A potential weak point in the Fork Factory trail system includes the section of trail that closely abuts the forested wetland (near intersection 23).

The connection between the Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Trails is also very poor. Fork Factory Brook is not signed, and visitors must find their own way. The Hartford Street crossing is also a potential safety risk and the actual placement should be studied carefully.

Specific trail maintenance recommendations are outlined under goals and objectives.

Other Visitor Issues

As visitor use evolves at the properties, visitor management issues and opportunities also evolve. The visitor survey, discussions with local officials and representatives of other organizations, and staff observations have revealed several visitor issues. These range from a nostalgic longing for the active recreation days of the 1950s to increasing problems associated with multiple use. Noteworthy specifics include:

Dogs

33 Dog walking is one of the most popular activities that people enjoy at Rocky Woods. Over 40% of the survey respondents said this was why they came to the property. At the same time, dogs have emerged as the single thing that people dislike about the property: Non-dog walkers have expressed discomfort with free-running dogs, and even other dog walkers have raised concerns about other dogs not being kept under control.

Mountain Bicycling

In the past ten years, mountain bicycling has become a very popular recreational activity. Cyclists enjoy the physical challenge of bicycling rough, winding trails and the fact that they can access a greater area in a shorter period of time. With this new use, there have also emerged new issues, including conflicts between bicyclists and other users, trail degradation, and wildlife disruption. Current use at Rocky Woods is moderate, yet The Trustees has learned that the popularity of bicycling can explode at a property.

Property Orientation

A complex network of trails can take visitors to nearly every corner of the properties. While the trails are fairly well-marked, many visitors still noted that it is easy to get lost. Most visitors are not even aware of the presence of Fork Factory Brook Reservation.

Opportunities

The planning process has revealed several opportunities to address these issues and to improve the visitor’s experience at the properties. These opportunities are explored further in the “Goals and Objectives” section.

34 Visitor Services Goals and Objectives:

The Trustees will offer and promote appropriate opportunities for visitors to enjoy, understand and appreciate the natural and historic features of the property. The visitor services program should:

• interpret the properties' historic and natural resources, • introduce visitors to the properties and provide clear directions for moving about the properties, • encourage visitors to learn about and care for the natural and historic resources of the properties, • provide a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for individuals, families and small groups at a level of use that does not affect adversely the quality of the visitors' experience or the properties' resources, • foster community awareness of the properties and encourage strong ties between the local communities and the properties, • compliment the visitor services programs offered by other regional conservation organizations, including Massachusetts Audubon Society and Hale Reservation, • engender public interest in and support of the property and the organization as a whole, • respond to changing visitor needs, • remain consistent with other property management goals (e.g., natural resource protection), • encourage visitors to become members of The Trustees of Reservations.

Objective: Encourage trail use as the primary recreational activity at the properties [critical → ideal]. Specifically:

1. Link the Rocky Woods trails with the Fork Factory Brook trails [critical]; 2. Provide clear directional signs and an accompanying updated map [critical]; 3. Offer interpretive information for high use trails [desirable]; 4. Update some trails to allow for handicapped access [ideal]. 5. Where possible, develop trail linkages with other regional open space [ideal].

Objective: Continue to maintain the current trail system [critical → ideal ]. Specifics include:

1. Repair trail sections prone to erosion. Hot spots include the Tower Trail, portions of the Ridge Trail, and the section of the Echo Lake Trail that leads to Echo Lake. In the case of Tower Trail, staff should investigate other potential routes to lead visitors off of this hill and consider closing Tower Trail itself. [critical]

Staff and volunteers work to install a waterbar

1. Closely monitor the trails at Fork Factory Brook Reservation. The foot trail that loops around the northern end of this network and that passes near wet areas may need to be reinforced to permit access during wet periods [desirable]. 2. In conjunction with historic resource management goals, extend the Fork Factory Brook Trail across the mill site [ideal]. 3. Research alternative trail materials that can be used to replace the asphalt shingles as they deteriorate [critical].

Objective: Inform visitors and local residents about the properties’ resources and how they can be used [critical → ideal]. Specifically:

1. Prepare regular press releases that describe the property and public access information [critical]. 2. Develop interpretive materials/displays that can be included in the visitor center or on bulletin boards [desirable → ideal] . 3. Produce a revised trail map and interpretive brochure. This map has been produced as part of the planning process and is included here.

Objective: As part of the rehabilitation of the Chickering Pond Area, develop a visitor center that will: [Critical]

1. serve as a greeting center and hub to the rest of the property; 2. be a place where visitors can acquire information about the properties and The Trustees; 3. provide basic services, such as restrooms and telephones; 4. serve as a sheltered meeting area for small groups such as school groups or nature clubs; 5. capture and preserve the "Adirondack Camp" atmosphere that has characterized the Chickering Pond area for the past 40 years.

36 Objective: Continue to administer the visitor use survey to monitor changing patterns in visitor use [critical].

Objective: Set up a process for resolving visitor use conflicts [critical].

Objective: Provide a variety of opportunities for visitors to become acquainted with the properties. Organized use should be low impact and low intensity in terms of staffing and facilities and should be sustainable over a long period of time [critical→ ideal]. Specifically

1. Continue to conduct or host special events, e.g., fall foliage days, spring Easter-egg hunt [critical]. 2. Work with organized groups that already have a framework for providing educational and/or recreational activities (e.g., Medfield Parks & Recreation Dept., Medfield Historical Society, Appalachian Mountain Club, Scout groups) [critical]. 3. Work with volunteers and other conservation professionals to provide a series of informal walks and/or lectures [desirable].

Objective: Encourage and, if possible, assist local schools and other education or recreation-oriented groups to use the properties as outdoor classrooms and research labs. The Trustees seeks to host and facilitate, but not actually administer or implement educational programming. The Trustees will only pursue educational activities that can be adequately staffed and administered [critical → ideal]. Specifically:

1. Invite Massachusetts Audubon Society at Broadmoor and Stony Brook Reservations to use the properties as part of their school programming efforts. [critical] 2. Continue to host and facilitate existing school programs (e.g., Medfield 3rd grade mock Thanksgiving) [critical]. 3. Meet with local teachers and school board representatives to explore ways that the schools can make good, responsible use of the properties. [critical] 4. Explore cooperative relationships with other groups (e.g., scouts, colleges, etc.) [desirable]

Objective: Develop and incorporate several interpretive themes into information and programming about the properties [desirable].

Objective: Review and update interpretive activities regularly to reflect new information, approaches and goals [desirable]

Objective: Continue to invite organized groups of residents from local nursing homes to visit and enjoy the properties [critical].

Objective: Develop an access plan for the properties that outlines a strategy for improving access for people with disabilities [critical].

Objective: Continue to make available, for a fee, the pavilion and surrounding area for small (<100 people) outing groups [critical].

37 Objective: Develop outreach strategies for attracting new users to the properties. Outreach efforts should work to attract new visitors without impacting negatively current users. Specifically:

1. Participate in an annual meeting with Medfield “representatives” to talk about what The Trustees can do for the town. This creates a forum to answer questions and offer outreach [critical]. 2. Encourage uses that are compatible with other goals and objectives and discourage incompatible uses.

38 VI. Chickering Pond Area

Introduction:

Throughout the years, Chickering Pond has been the hub of Rocky Woods. During the 1940s and 1950s, Dr. Goldthwait encouraged active recreational use, and as a result, Rocky Woods developed a four- season recreation program which, at its peak in the late 1950s, offered downhill skiing with rope tow, an outdoor ice skating program with a rustic warming lodge, paddle boats on Chickering Pond, an expansive picnic area, and a 60 foot lookout tower on Cedar Hill.

While visitation at the properties has changed over the years, the area surrounding Chickering Pond remains an important focal point for visitor activities. The following landscape design offers a strategy that would enable The Trustees to rehabilitate this area.

39 VII. Land Acquisition and Conservation

Introduction

Across Massachusetts, The Trustees works to protect properties which may affect or enhance the integrity of its reservations through the acquisition of title or restrictions or through other means such as the participation in planning and zoning processes.

The present configuration of Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook Reservation results from arbitrary parcel lot lines rather than conforming to any natural or topographic unit. The majority of the northern and eastern boundaries are the town boundary between Medfield and Dover. This configuration reflects the history of assembling the property from numerous "wood lots", reflecting the arbitrary historical boundaries of the individual lots.

An “Open Space Context Map” was developed to analyze land conservation potential; this map is attached.

Management Considerations:

The staff residence for the property superintendent is not very desirable. The house is very small, and is in fair, but repairable condition. Further, its location is a kind of a "fishbowl", making it difficult to provide privacy for the superintendent and his family. It would be desirable to acquire a house nearby the reservation for superintendent housing while maintaining the Chickering Pond residence for another staff person, such as a head ranger.

Access:

No additional land needs to be secured to provide access. The reservation contains significant road frontage on Hartford Street on Route 109. No additional land is available that would either protect or enhance access to the reservation.

Views from the Reservation:

The reservation is a self contained unit that is inward looking on the small scale rather than containing broad vistas. No additional land needs to be secured to maintain views. A residential subdivision is in the final stages of permitting adjacent to the western edge of Rocky Woods Reservation; the Medfield Planning Board responded to concerns about impacts to the reservation by requiring a 50' buffer to be provided along that boundary (which is the Cheney Pond Trail.)

Network/Greenway Considerations

Some of the trails through Rocky Woods Reservation may have originally been established as Indian trails, were later used by colonists and then the network of trails was expanded for use as logging roads. For many years, these trails leading through and within the reservation have been important for recreational users, the more extensive linkages particularly used for horseback riding. This network of trails extends beyond Rocky Woods and Fork Factory Brook; while the reservations form a very important open space, many users experience the reservations as a place along an extended trail network.

Over the past five years, The Trustees has worked with the Town of Medfield to secure the preservation of the existing trail ("Old Town Road") linking Hinkley Pond, the Town's swim pond, to Rocky Woods. The Trustees arranged that a permanent trail easement be given to the Town across the former Parkinson (now Brown) property, on which The Trustees holds a conservation restriction. The Town worked with abutters to the west of Parkinson, securing the trail from that property to the town swimming pond. To the east, a major subdivision had long been in the planning stages. The Town, working with a newly formed group, the "Friends of Medfield Forests and Trails, Inc.", has worked to preserve the connection (although on a relocated corridor). At this writing, it appears that a relocated trails will be built within the property of the subdivision and the developer will give approximately 15 acres of land abutting Rocky Woods to the Town for conservation purposes.

Connections from Rocky Woods through abutting property in Dover could establish a link to Noanet Woodlands, Powisset Farm and Hale Reservation. In fact, a not very satisfactory linkage already exists by way of an easement held by The Trustees through the former Fryer property that connects to an easement held by the Dover Land Trust. The local land trust's easement resulted from a condition placed on the adjacent subdivision by the Dover Planning Board. Unfortunately, the trail itself has never been established and in the intervening years, the easement has been encroached upon by the detritus of suburban living -- fences, swimming pools, cabanas and sheds, etc.

A more desirable layout of such a connecting easement would have continued through the Fryer property to the Knight property on Walpole Street. In 1993, attempts to negotiate this preferred corridor reached an impasse. Any future progress will probably require ownership changes, funds for the very expensive land, and commitments to manage the trail for public use.

Ecological Considerations

By and large, the margins and boundaries of Rocky Woods have either already been built or are in the latest planning stages of residential development. Although the occasional relatively small parcel (such as the lot on Pine Street recently acquired by the Town of Medfield with the assistance of a state "Self Help" grant) may enhance the reservation, there are no "critical" holdings associated with Rocky Woods.

Historical Associations

53 Long Acre Farm is a historic property abutting the reservation whose history is integral to the history of Rocky Woods/Fork Factory Brook Reservations. While the outright acquisition of the residence is not necessary to preserve the historic landscape, its preservation is important in establishing the cultural context for the landscape of the fields.

Recommended Actions:

Objective: Continue to facilitate and encourage trail groups in Medfield and Dover to develop an integrated trail network that provides for linkage of parcels of protected open space [desirable].

Objective: Encourage preservation of the Long Acre Farmhouse. Such efforts might include historic inventory of the property, National Register listing, and working with the property owner to record a historic preservation restriction. If the Long Acre Farmhouse was available, its acquisition by The Trustees would be desirable -- both to secure its preservation and provide an improved staff residence [desirable].

VIII. Plan Implementation

Introduction

The development of this management plan was a collaboration between local volunteers and The Trustees of Reservations staff members. This partnership insured that the recommendations developed for the properties truly reflected perceptions about the sites in terms of how they were used, what improvements were needed and which visitor services should be offered.

Given the success of this process, it is recommended that a Rocky Woods/Fork Factory Brook Committee be established to help direct the implementation of this management plan. It would be most advantageous if the core of this new committee could be made up of individuals from the Management Plan Committee in order that continuity be maintained.

Implementation Planning

Staff and volunteers need to answer several questions in order to proceed with implementation. These include:

• What resources are currently available to address “critical” recommendations? Resources may include cash, staff, known volunteers, and cooperating organizations.

• What is the timeframe for the “critical” recommendations? Must some be done first? Do opportunities exist for some do be done more quickly than others?

• What resources are needed to complete all recommendations? What is the strategy for finding these resources?

• How should implementation be evaluated?

Phasing

Implementation of the plan’s recommendations will depend on several factors, including staff availability, volunteer interest, and, financial support.

However, those recommendations listed as “critical” should naturally be undertaken first. In particular, those projects that improve visitors’ experience, including improvements to access and facilities, should take priority.

Some of these projects have in fact been initiated during the planning process. Examples include:

55 • to help visitors navigate the properties’ lengthy trail system, a new map was produced, and narrative included with the map introduces visitors to some of the properties’ significant features. • in the spring of 1996, portable toilets were installed near the picnic shelter and the proposed visitor center. This improvement will enhance the Shelter Rental Program and support the use of the property by other groups for educational purposes. • staff worked with Medfield’s Park and Recreation Department to develop a cooperative initiative for the 1996 Camp Discovery program. Under this collaboration, 60 children, ages 3-10 years old, will visit Rocky Woods one day per week over a six week period for a variety of activities, including environmental education. • Similarly, the Cambridge Camping Association will be visiting Rocky Woods two days per week throughout July and August with children from the inner city who will enjoy games and environmental education.

Evaluation

The phasing framework of this plan was intentionally designed to allow systematic program growth at the properties. Staff and volunteers need to work closely together to evaluate progress, and to adapt recommendations and management as the plan is implemented. For example, as we gain experience with visitor programs, we will learn which are most appropriate at Rocky Woods, and can focus our energies accordingly.

56 IX. Appendices

Visitor Use Survey Reference Binder: Current Contents

57 Reference Binder: Current Contents

Natural Resource Information: