Hopkinton Trail Guide

TOWN OF HOPKINTON

PHIPPS PROPERTY Town of Hopkinton Hopkinton Trail Guide

OPENC SPACE

First Edition 2006 Supported by a grant from the William P. Wharton Trust Hopkinton Open Space Preservation Commission Open Space Trail Guide OPENC SPACE

Images from Lake Whitehall. (Photos by Brian Morrison) Credits: Cover photos by John Coolidge (front cover) and Andrea Underwood (back cover). Text by Ellen Chagnon, Conservation Scientist, Elaine Lazarus, Planning Director, and Brian Morrison, Conservation Commission, for Town of Hopkinton, and Community Opportunities Group, Inc. Photographs by Brian Morrison, Miles Crettien, John Coolidge, Don MacAdam, Brian Garrett, and Andrea Underwood. Trail locations verifi ed in the fi eld and GPS-documented by Hopkinton Open Space Preservation Commission, Hopkinton Girl Scout Troop 2245, Don MacAdam and Miles Crettien. College Rock trails courtesy of Beals & Th omas, Inc. GIS maps, design and production and editorial support by Community Opportunities Group, Inc. Th is publication was made possible by a grant from the William P. Wharton Trust to the Hopkinton Open Space Preservation Commission, John Coolidge, Chairman. Th e William P. Wharton Trust supports conservation study and appreciation of nature through projects with tangible and lasting results, those that seek partnerships and leverage funds to gain matching contributions. HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE ABOUT THIS GUIDE Hopkinton adopted an Open Space and Landscape Preservation Development (OSLPD) Bylaw that has Hopkinton is a recognized leader in open space been unusually successful. More than 70% of all protection. Th rough careful planning, land new subdivisions during the 1990s were developed acquisitions, zoning, and working closely with state as OSLPD projects and together, they preserved agencies and non-profi t land trusts, Hopkinton has more than 740 acres of open space. assembled an impressive inventory of open space: 4,700 acres, including 2,800 acres that are protected In addition, conservation-minded residents in perpetuity. Th e Hopkinton Trail Guide attests established a local land trust in 1995. Th e private, to the eff orts of several generations of residents non-profi t Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT) to protect the Town’s natural resources and scenic purchases and manages land, and complements views, to create open space links and corridors, the Town’s open space eff orts through fundraising, and preserve the rural qualities that distinguish providing outreach and education, constructing Hopkinton from most Boston-area suburbs. trails, and negotiating with landowners. Later, All of the open space Featured Sites Hopkinton created its own included in the Hopkinton Open Space Preservation Berry Acres Trail Guide is protected in Commission and an perpetuity. Th e featured sites College Rock Park Open Space Preservation illustrate Hopkinton’s long- Whitehall State Park Fund under Chapter 19 standing conservation ethic of the Acts of 1999. Since Cameron Highlands and its tradition of working then, the Commission in partnership with other Phipps Property has focused exclusively organizations. For example, Hopkintoin Area Land Trust (HALT) on protecting open space the Whitehall State Park was Properties and managing the Town’s protected more than 100 years open space land holdings. ago, while the Town purchased Th e Commission helps the Phipps Property in 2003. Th e sites in this landowners by negotiating conservation restrictions guide off er unique recreation opportunities and and promotes conservation and recreation land exemplify the variety of landscapes that contribute purchases. More recently, Hopkinton voters to Hopkinton’s scenic beauty. adopted the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in 2001. Under CPA, Hopkinton receives a 2% Saving Open Space surcharge on all real estate assessments. Th ese funds Hopkinton has found that protecting open space may be used to buy open space, create aff ordable requires several conservation strategies and funding housing, and preserve or rehabilitate historic sources. Local residents and businesses donated buildings. some of the fi rst parcels to the Conservation Commission and other sites were acquired through Contact Information tax title. However, the Town has also purchased Th e Hopkinton Trail Guide is a work in progress. a considerable amount of land for conservation As funds permit, the Open Space Preservation and recreation purposes and made excellent use Commission will add new trails maps when the of zoning to save open space by design. In 1988,

-1- HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE Town acquires more land and blazes trails. Please viburnums, and witch hazel and herbs and vines contact the Conservation Commission (508-497- such as wintergreen, Canada mayfl ower, partridge 9757) or the Planning Department (508-497-9755) berry, wild sarsaparilla, ferns (many species), to make suggestions, volunteer, or inquire about ground pine, cat briar, and wild grape. preserving your property. Th e appearance of the forest and the makeup of its vegetation change with elevation, soils, HOPKINTON’S NATURAL and moisture. Th e lakes, ponds and streams HISTORY are generally surrounded by red maple swamp, including species such as highbush blueberry, Geology and Topography swamp azalea, viburnum, winterberry, skunk Th e Wisconsinan glacier covered New England cabbage, touch-me-not, sphagnum moss and red during the Pleistocene Epoch over 120,000 years maple. Beware of poison ivy in the transition areas ago and shaped Hopkinton’s hills and valleys. between wetland and upland. Th e glacier’s retreat 12,000 years ago left much of Hopkinton bedrock overlain by glacial till, or Wildlife poorly-sorted material that includes sands, gravels, Th e mammal species typically present in and rocks. Th e thin, rocky layer of topsoil results Hopkinton’s woodlands and wetlands include white in poor farming conditions. Hopkinton’s bedrock tail deer, coyote, red and gray fox, raccoon, skunk, consists almost entirely of granite, and ledge possum, gray squirrel, woodchuck, chipmunk, outcroppings can be seen in many parts of town. eastern cottontail, porcupine, muskrat, beaver, mice, and voles. People occasionally see fi sher, bobcat Hopkinton lies within three watershed basins: and river otter as well, but all three are elusive. Blackstone, Sudbury and Charles Rivers While Songbirds, water birds, and birds of prey abound in most of the Town is within the Sudbury (Concord) the wild areas of town, and wild turkey populations watershed, the headwaters of the Charles River begin are on the rise. Several residents have reported bald at Echo Lake in Hopkinton and Whitehall Brook eagle sightings in the vicinity of Lake Whitehall. feeds the Sudbury River. In general, Hopkinton’s terrain slopes rather sharply toward four man-made In the winter and spring, vernal pools can be seen water bodies: Whitehall Reservoir (575 acres) to the in the wetlands throughout Hopkinton. Th ese west, Hopkinton Reservoir (83 acres in Hopkinton) ephemeral ponds dry up in the summer and fall. to the north, and Lake Maspenock (253 acres) and Vernal pools serve as nurseries for wood frogs, and Echo Lake (105 acres in Hopkinton) to the south. spotted and marbled salamanders, and as permanent Wetlands dot the topography and small streams run homes for fairy shrimp, fi ngernail clams, and many throughout Hopkinton. other invertebrates. Th e “quacking” call of wood frogs and the high-pitched peep of the tiny spring Vegetation peeper signify proximity to vernal pools. Please Th e southern New England hardwood (or mixed treat these fragile treasures with care. deciduous) forest in Hopkinton consists primarily of red and white oak and white pine. Th e understory Common species of reptiles and amphibians in of this dense forest includes shrubs such as Hopkinton include garter snake, water snake, huckleberry, mountain laurel, sweet pepperbush, snapping and painted turtles, bullfrog, green frog, -2- HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE

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(!16 UV140 HOPKINTON _[ FEATURED SITES Major Roads Map by Judith A. Barrett Open Space Trail Guide Watershed Basins Limited Access Highway County Other Multi-lane Highway November 2005 City or Town Other Numbered Highway 021 Open Water Major Road, Collector Miles Rivers & Streams Data Sources: MassGIS, Town of Hopkinton

-3- HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE spring peeper, American and Fowlers toads, and striped and red salamanders. Uncommon, rare or threatened wildlife species include damselfl y and dragonfl y species, wood duck, pheasant (stocked), osprey, turkey vulture, fl ying squirrel, spotted and mole salamanders, wood turtle, box turtle, spotted turtle, weasel and purple tiger beetle.

BERRY ACRES Conservation History Hopkinton acquired a portion of the Berry Acres property in 1968 when an anonymous donor sold the land to the town for $1.00. Boston Edison, now NSTAR, later donated Vernal pool at Berry Acres. (Photo by Miles Crettien) some adjacent land to expand the preserve. Th e Hopkinton Conservation Commission Visitors may also hike the loop trail around Ice manages this 29-acre site. House Pond, located across West Main Street, and follow the path to the gazebo. Th e Town owns the Ecological Signiﬁ cance small parking lot adjacent to Ice House Pond and Berry Acres is located within the Indian Brook- the site of the ice house foundation. Hopkinton is Sudbury River Watershed. Extensive wooded restoring the old Hopkinton Railroad Station for swamp, intermittent streams, a small pond and historical display and for use as a warming hut by vernal pools characterize the landscape. Look for ice skaters. the pond near the preserve entrance on West Main Street and a vernal pool close to the trail head. Directions and Parking Abundant spring wildfl owers include gay-wings, From the intersection of Routes 135 and 85 in Polygala paucifolia, which resembles a small purple Hopkinton center, follow Main Street west and bird. In the spring, listen for wood frogs near the bear left onto West Main Street. Follow West Main vernal pool. Street 0.9 miles. Berry Acres is on the left across the street from Ice House Pond and the Golden Visiting Berry Acres Pond Residential Care Facility. Berry Acres has Visit Berry Acres year round from dawn to dusk. 4 parking spaces and more spots are available Hikers, non-motorized bikers, horses and dogs across the street at Ice House Pond. Th e trailhead will enjoy the easy 1.1-mile trail. Th ere are no is marked “Berry Acres” at the parking area. facilities for picnicking or camping. Be cautious of trails blazed on adjacent private property. Please do not wander off Town-owned property without permission from the adjacent landowner.

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-5- HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE COLLEGE ROCK PARK Conservation History Hopkinton acquired the 11-acre College Rock Park in 1962, when an anonymous donor sold the land to the Town for $1.00. Th e Conservation Commission manages the site, which abuts Holliston’s 162-acre Rocky Woods. Holliston Eagle Scout Mark D’Agostino developed a preserve sign, map and picnic area near the Hopkinton entrance and blazed severak trails that traverse these properties in Hopkinton and Holliston.

Ecological Signiﬁ cance Woodpecker busy at work in Hopkinton’s densely forested open College Rock Park is located within the Beaver space. (Photo by Miles Crettien) Brook-Charles River Watershed. Th e Towns of Hopkinton, Holliston and Milford, along with the Hopkinton Area Land Trust, the Trustees of Four well-marked trails – Yellow, Orange, Red and Reservations and Massachusetts Audubon Society, Green – off er visitors the choice of a short, easy walk have worked to protect land in this important or more strenuous hikes. Th e 0.3-mile Yellow Trail region because it encompasses the headwaters of is the shortest, looping the Hopkinton portion of the the Charles River. Th e site is characterized by dry site around College Rock and the stand of chestnut woods with large granite outcroppings and boulders. oak. Th e longer trails cross from Hopkinton into In fact, College Rock Park takes its name from Holliston. All four trails begin at the trail head College Rock, the large bedrock outcrop near the near the parking area in Hopkinton. Th ere are no Hopkinton entrance. Small complexes of wooded facilities for picnicking or camping. swamp border the intermittent streams that run through the property. Observe the stand of chestnut Be cautious of trails blazed on adjacent private oak near College Rock and look for orioles, hairy property. Please do not wander off Town-owned woodpeckers and red-tailed hawks. land without permission from the adjacent landowner. Visiting College Rock Park Visit College Rock Park year round from dawn to Directions and Parking dusk. Hikers, non-motorized bikers, horses and From the intersection of Routes 135 and 85 in the dogs are welcome. Rock-climbers and mountain center of Hopkinton, follow Route 85 (Grove Street/ bikers oft en visit College Rock Park to climb College Hayden Rowe Street) south for 2.2 miles. Turn left Rock and bike the surrounding trails. Inexperienced on College Street and follow 0.2 miles to the marked climbers and bikers should have guides, especially trailhead just before Beaver Brook. Th ere is parking on the Holliston side of the trail system. for six cars.

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Map by Judith A. Barrett COLLEGE ROCK PARK Municipal Boundary College Rock-Rocky Woods Trails Feet Open Water Yellow 0240480120 Wetlands (Approximate) Orange ! Data Sources: Town of Hopkinton, MassGIS, Beals & Thomas. Streams & Brooks Note: the Holliston portion of this trail system is a conceptual representation shown here for illustrative purposes only. -7- HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE WHITEHALL STATE PARK Conservation History In 1894, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created Whitehall State Park (also known as Lake Whitehall and Whitehall Reservoir) by taking the land to create a new public reservoir. Two years later, the state dammed Whitehall Brook on Highland Street and fl ooded three ponds, to impound Lake Whitehall. For many years, Lake Whitehall served as a drinking water supply managed by the former Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), but it was eventually reclassifi ed as a reserve drinking water source for periods of severe drought. Today, the 920-acre Whitehall State Park surrounds and includes 575-acre Lake Whitehall. Th e Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) owns and manages the park.

Ecological Signiﬁ cance From 75,000 to 20,000 years ago in the Pleistocene Epoch, a continental glacier advanced southward, covering Hopkinton and all of New England in ice a mile or more thick. As the glacier melted, large quantities of stratifi ed drift were deposited in streambeds and lakes. When glacial ice melted in the valley that now contains Lake Whitehall, sand and gravel accumulated on and alongside the ice. Today, remnants of these ice-contact outwash deposits exist as hills (kames) that form islands in the reservoir, and some sinuous ridges (eskers) along the lake’s western side. Th e Pond Street public water supplies also tap water-saturated sand and gravel deposits just south of Lake Whitehall.

At a later point during the retreat of the ice sheet, a large, glacial lake formed from melt water in Pictures from Lake Whitehall (top to Botton): Autumn vista; restored the general vicinity of the present Whitehall Whitehall dam; band of turtles sunning on a log. (Photos by Brian Morrison) Reservoir. As melt waters fl owed into the north

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-9- HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE end of the lake, a large delta of sand was deposited white cedar swamp on private land in the area at the northwest corner. It can still be seen along between Spring and Pond Streets opposite Lake Wood Street as a fl at terrace with homes and the Whitehall. NHESP has also observed several rare Evergreen Cemetery, and the peninsula that extends dragonfl y species at Lake Whitehall. into Whitehall Reservoir by Piazza Lane. When the ice retreated northward out of the Sudbury River Whitehall State Park also has historically signifi cant basin, sediments of sand and gravel were deposited resources nestled in the woods. During the fi rst half as ice melted out from beneath them. Th ese of the nineteenth century, before Lake Whitehall deposits formed the Town’s water-saturated aquifer was impounded, a resort area developed around the at Fruit Street and the area surrounding Whitehall supposed healing springs and mineral baths along Brook. Whitehall Brook in the vicinity of Norcross Road off Spring Street. Visitors came by stagecoach to Whitehall State Park is located within the Whitehall the Hopkinton Hotel on Spring Street across from Brook-Sudbury River Watershed. Southern New present-day Lyford Road. Extant spring structures England hardwood forest with pockets of shrub and remain in the woods off the end of Norcross Road. wooded swamp characterize the landscape around Lake Whitehall. Look for vernal pools in the ice Visiting Whitehall State Park block depressions surrounding the lake, and beaver Visit the preserve year round from dawn to and muskrat along the shoreline. In addition, Lake dusk. Hikers, non-motorized bikers, horses and Whitehall contains many fl oating islands (referred dogs are welcome. An undulating, 6.2-mile trail to locally as “quags,” which is probably short for marked with “State Park” blue blazes loops around quagmire). Loosely tethered to the lake bottom Lake Whitehall through mixed deciduous woods in shallow areas, these islands exhibit a vegetation and off ers frequent views of the lake. Look for community similar to that found in quaking bogs. prominent glacial erratics (boulders) and extant Sphagnum moss forms the basis of the islands, and foundations, chimneys and stone walls along the as it accumulates, species such as red maple, larch, trail. Th is fairly shallow lake is an excellent place to black spruce, bog rosemary, leatherleaf, waterwillow, fi sh. Th e Commonwealth allows canoes, kayaks and and Virginia chain fern take root. Poison sumac, small power boats. Th ere are no lakeshore beaches a gangly shrub, abounds on the islands at Lake and camping facilities. Be cautious of trails blazed Whitehall. Be careful if you are kayaking. on private property. Please do not wander off state land without permission from the property owner. Th e Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) has Directions and Parking designated Whitehall State Park, including the From the intersection of Routes 135 and 85 in reservoir, as Core Habitat and the extensive cedar the center of Hopkinton, follow Route 135 (Main swamp and associated wetlands to the southwest Street/Wood Street) west for 2.9 miles. Th e as Critical Supporting Watershed. Th e cedar Commonwealth’s boat ramp and 50-car parking swamp is part of a Massachusetts Area of Critical lot is on the left just past Piazza Lane. Additional Environmental Concern (ACEC) because of the parking is available along Winter, Spring and Pond quality and uniqueness of its natural and historical Streets. Th e trailhead begins at the parking lot on resources. Take note of a fi ne example of Atlantic Wood Street.

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Wetlands adjacent to Lake Whitehall. (Photo by Brian Morrison)

-11- HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE CAMERON HIGHLANDS PHIPPS PROPERTY Conservation History Cameron Highlands and the Phipps Property off er an interconnected trail system that links to other trails in the Town Forest. Located east of Winter Street opposite Lake Whitehall, the 126-acre Cameron Highlands property was purchased by the Town in 2001 and the 7-acre Phipps Property, in 2003. Th ese acquisitions were supported by the Open Space Preservation Fund and the Community Preservation Act. Th e Hopkinton Open Space Trails through the forest : Phipps property on Winter Street. Preservation Commission manages both sites. (Photo by John Coolidge)

Ecological Signiﬁ cance has also assisted with marking trails throughout the property. Look for granite outcroppings and Cameron Highlands and the Phipps Property are hemlock groves. On the Phipps land, a short, easy located within the Whitehall Brook-Sudbury River 0.5-mile trail traverses the site and connects to trails Watershed, between Wood and Winter Streets east at Cameron Highlands and the Town Forest. of Lake Whitehall. A dense, southern New England hardwood forest covers both sites, with pockets Both sites abut private property. Cameron of wooded swamp that help to protect the water Highlands shares a boundary with a private horse quality in Lake Whitehall. Virtually all of the land farm with an agility course, and the Phipps family in this part of Hopkinton functions as Supporting still owns land on Winter Street, including land with Natural Landscape for habitat areas (Core Habitats) blazed trails. Please do not wander off Town-owned that support rare species and a variety of natural property without permission from the adjacent communities. landowner. Visiting Cameron Highlands-Phipps Directions and Parking Visit these properties year round from dawn to To reach the Cameron Highlands trail head, follow dusk. Hikers, non-motorized bikers, horses and Route 135 (Main Street/Wood Street) west for 2.1 dogs are welcome. Cameron Highlands off ers a miles from the intersection of Routes 135-85 in variety of recreation opportunities. Rolling hills Hopkinton center. Th e trail head is on the left at characterize the landscape, and there are wide trails the curve in the road aft er 157 Wood Street. Access for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and to the Phipps property is on Winter Street, a left horseback riding. Elevations range from about 350 turn off Route 135 approximately 0.3 miles from the to 510 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL). Hopkinton Eagle entrance to Cameron Highlands. Follow Winter Scout Nick Nigro blazed a fi gure-eight trail and the Street for 0.9 miles. Th e Phipps property is on the trailhead is marked “Cameron Highlands Trail” on left . Visitors may park along Winter Street. Wood Street. Hopkinton Girl Scout Troop #2245

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Open Water Cameron Highlands-Phipps Land Red Yellow (Overlap) Streams & Brooks Lake Whitehall Trail (State) Green Wetlands (Approximate) Cameron-Phipps-Town Forest Trails Red Green (Overlap) ! hg NHESP Certified Vernal Pools Yellow !!Unmarked Red Data Sources: Town of Hopkinton, MassGIS. Cameron-Phipps trail system delineated in the field by Hopkinton Girl Scout Troop 2245 (November 2005).

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HOPKINTON AREA LAND TRUST HALT’S Goals Th e Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT) is a non- To preserve, protect, conserve, and enhance the profi t conservation organization that works with the natural resources within and around the town of Town to protect open space through fee acquisition Hopkinton, Massachusetts, including water resources, and conservation restrictions. HALT hopes to marshlands, swamps, woodlands, underground develop a greenway around Hopkinton. Toward this water supplies, open spaces, land areas of historical end, HALT has helped to protect 85 acres at Brook signifi cance, and wildlife habitat, in order to maintain Hollow, Deer Run, Wiley Woods and Hopkinton and improve the quality of life in the town of Highlands I, and plans to protect another 60 acres Hopkinton for present and future generations. at Hopkinton Highlands II. HALT opens its land To educate the public in the area of conservation, to the public for passive recreation such as walking, ecology, forestry practices, wildlife preservation and hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Its land use planning in order to protect open space, volunteers manage almost 600 acres of open space plant, and animal life therein. that Hopkinton has saved mainly as a result of To encourage and facilitate the use of land OSLPD plans approved by the Planning Board. conservation, recreation, and wildlife preservation by cooperating with the town of Hopkinton, its elected Brook Hollow offi cials and committees, Hopkinton landowners, and other individuals and organizations having similar Th e DeGozzaldi Family donated the 12-acre Brook purposes. Hollow site to HALT. Hopkinton Eagle Scout To acquire, hold, maintain, and enforce such Dan Newbrander blazed the 0.5 mile trail that conservation and preservation restrictions, easements memorializes Susan M. DeGozzaldi. Look for two and other interests in land, water areas, and structures majestic American beech trees on this property. as it deems appropriate and in the public interest. Horses are welcome at this preserve, which is bordered by Frankland Road and Cross Street. Woods. A 0.8-mile trail takes visitors past several vernal pools and southern New England hardwood Deer Run forest. Th e Wiley Woods trailhead is on Frankland Th e Lakeside Construction Company gave 17 acres Road about 200 feet east of Brook Hollow. A small at Deer Run to HALT. A particularly beautiful parking area is located at the trailhead. 1.0 mile trail named in memory of Amy and Rolf Andersen traverses the property. It begins at a trail Hopkinton Highlands I head on Fawn Ridge Road and exits at the opposite Th e Lodge Corporation contributed 40 acres to end of the cul-de-sac. Northborough Eagle Scout HALT to create Hopkinton Highlands I at the Eric Pfeifer blazed the trail and constructed the intersection of Greenwood Road and Saddle Hill footbridge, two benches, several birdhouses and Road. Th e 0.75 mile Douglas B. Sands Trail begins at signs naming the plant species. Parking is available the intersection. Mr. Sands, a long-time Hopkinton on Fawn Ridge Road. Horses are welcome. resident and noted ornithologist, was recently named Man of the Year by the Massachusetts Audubon Wiley Woods Society. Look out at the scenic Chuck Zettek Developer Ron Roux donated 16 acres on Frankland Overlook on Greenwood Road, which provides a 10- Road near the Ashland town line to create Wiley 12 mile view to the west. Parking is available behind the boulder at the trailhead. -14- HOPKINTON TRAIL GUIDE

2 S

2 E

4 H 4 4 7 I 7 3 354 L 3 L

R 2 O 7 4 A

3 6 4

82 4 4 6 D 3 A O R 62 D 4 O 2 1 O 9 0 W 4 5 N EE R p 3 ¡ 1 G 4 3

2 AI 5 4 2 8 4 11 5 21 5 1 3 53 3 2 4 7 4 423

413 5 41

3 3 14 24 2 3 49 8 3 3 9 3 3 3 4 05 4 4 4 0 3 3 3

Map by Judith A. Barrett HALT 0250500125 Feet

Hopkinton Highlands I HALT Trails Douglas B. Sands Memorial Trail Streams ! Saddle Hill Road/Greenwood Road HALT Land

Data Sources: Town of Hopkinton, MassGIS. Note: see foldout map for other HALT properties.

-15- Hopkinton Open Space Preservation Commission Hopkinton Trail Guide

BROOK HOLLOW Hopkinton Area Land Trust Hopkinton Open Space Preservation Commission Hopkinton Open Space Commission c/o Hopkinton Conservation 18 Main Street Hopkinton, MA 01748