Second Edition

Second Edition

WRENTHAM GUIDE TOOPEN SPACES AND

CONSERVATION LANDS

Second Edition

This book was generously funded by a grant from the Sweatt Fund.

CARTOGRAPHY: Beale & Rogers, Jan Hersey, Darryl LuceDIGITAL ART & MAP ILLUSTRATIONS: Tomas Haran, Cathy Sanguinetti, Creations MediaEDITORS: Jan Hersey (1st edition), Darryl Luce, Kathleen Maloof, Maureen Osolnik

ILLUSTRATIONS: Bernard Bembenek, Karen Steen OlsenLAYOUT/GRAPHIC DESIGN/PRINTING: Cathy Sanguinetti, Creations Media

PHOTOGRAPHY: Patricia Fogg, Jan Hersey, Darryl Luce

(c) 2003 Wrentham Conservation Commission

Wrentham Conservation CommissionCHAIRMAN: Maureen Osolnik

AGENT: Darryl LuceSECRETARY: René Olsen

COMMISSION MEMBERS: Bernard Bembenek, Cheryl Connelly, ThomasDiPlacido Jr., Kathleen Maloof, Joseph Mooney, Kristen Sherman

The Second Edition of the Wrentham Guide to Open Spaces and Conservation Landsis available in portable document format (PDF). Please contact the Wrentham

Conservation Commission at (508) 384-5417 to obtain a PDF copy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents 2

Letter to the Residents of Wrenthamfrom Conservation Commission Chairman, Maureen Osolnik 3

Rules and Regulations Regardingthe Use of Open Spaces and Conservation Lands 4

Conservation Timeline 5

History of Conservation in Wrentham 7

Natural Resources Overview 11

Open Spaces and Conservation Lands 13

Birchwold Farm 14Joe's Rock 15Town of Wrentham Map 16Burnt Swamp 18Wollomonopoag 19Homer Crocker Pond 20Franklin State Forest 22F. Gilbert Hills State Forest (Foxborough) 23Trout Pond 24Knuckup Hill 25Eagle Brook Corridor/

Oxbow & Craig Meadows 26Open Space Subdivision Parcels 28Sweatt Beach and Boat Landing 29Warner Trail 30Wrentham Center

Sweatt Memorial Park & Tennis Courts 31Town Common 31Future Athletic Fields 31

Wrentham State Forest 32

2

NOTE REGARDING MAP ILLUSTRATIONS:

Map dimensions and locations of land featuresare meant as a general guide and are not drawn

to exact scale.

3

LETTERto the Residents of Wrentham

Dear Wrentham Residents: November 1, 2003

We are pleased to bring to you the second edition of the Wrentham Guideto Open Spaces and Conservation Lands, originally published by theConservation Commission in 1988.

This guide outlines the history dating back to the 1660’s when our Puritan forefa-thers settled here to take advantage of the abundant grazing land for their cattle.There is further evidence that thousands of years prior to that time, these sameresources attracted Native Americans to the area.

Described in this guide are Wrentham's current "public lands" totaling approxi-mately 2,300 of the Town's 14,515 acres. They include all parcels within ourboundaries purchased by or donated to the Town for conservation and recreation,as common areas, or as public water supplies, as well as State Forest lands. Theseproperties are managed by a number of bodies, including the WrenthamConservation and Recreation Commissions, the Wrentham Department of PublicWorks for the Board of Selectmen, and the Massachusetts Division of Forests andParks.

Since 1988, we have added 352 acres to our conservation lands. More than 206of the 352 acres have been added at no cost to the town through the open spacedevelopment subdivisions. These parcels are in different areas of the town—enabling citizens to have access to some unique parcels in close proximity to theirhomes.

The most significant addition to Wrentham’s conservation lands has been theWollomonopoag Conservation Area, the former DiCarlo property, which preservesthe last remaining undisturbed area on Lake Pearl. It is a glorious property thatdeserves a visit by everyone. It is the goal of the Conservation Commission toimprove and preserve these lands for the access and enjoyment of all our citizensnow and into the future.

Please follow the Rules and Regulations so that everyone may have a safe andenjoyable experience. It is our hope that this guide will encourage you to exploreour natural heritage and discover for yourself the wealth of resources available inour own neighborhoods.

Sincerely,

MM aa uu rr ee ee nn OO ss oo ll nn ii kkChairman, Wrentham Conservation Commission

RULES & REGULATIONSRegarding the Use of Open Space &

Conservation Properties

No motorized vehicles are permitted outside of specified parkingareas.

Fishing is allowed in season with proper licenses in accordance withapplicable laws. Hunting is not allowed.

Intoxicating beverages and disorderly acts are prohibited.

Open fires and liquid fuel require a fire permit from the ConservationCommission and from the Wrentham Fire Department. Please contactthe Conservation Commission at (508) 384-5417 or in writing atTown Hall, Wrentham, MA 02093.

All cans, bottles, litter, and garbage are to be taken away or placedin receptacles provided.

Overnight camping will usually be permitted to organizations havingadult supervision present at all times. Permission must be secured inwriting from the Conservation Commission (See item 4).

No plants, bushes, or flowers are to be defaced, cut, removed, orapplied with paint without approval by the Conservation Commission.No plants, seeds, or animals are to be released into the wild withoutapproval of the Massachusetts Department of EnvironmentalManagement.

The Conservation Commission, alone, may authorize trails to be cutor marked, dams to be built, or construction of any type of structure.

Permission to use the area may be denied for any reason relating tohealth, safety, morals, fire danger, over-crowding, or prior violation ofthese regulations.

The Conservation Commission does not patrol, and cannot assume,for the Town of Wrentham, liability for injuries, damage to property, orother losses. Those persons using the conservation areas assume allrisks involved.

Conservation areas are open at sunrise and close at sunset, exceptas noted in item 6 above.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

4

5

CONSERVATIONTIMELINE

Indigenous cultures believed to have inhabited northwest sec-tion of Wrentham, reliant upon abundant natural resources

Rich meadowlands attract first European settlers to area

Wrentham incorporated; Town Meeting measure regulatesfelling of trees and use of lumber

First land set aside for "common use," including TownCommon, school property, and "land between the two ponds"(Archer and Pearl)

Trout Pond and 42.5 acres are gifts to Town for first publicwater supply

Old farm and timber lands acquired by state for Wrentham,Franklin, and F. Gilbert Hills (Foxborough) State Forests

Sweatt Beach and Public Boat Landing on Lake Pearl estab-lished on land acquired by Department of Public Works

Three-quarter acre Sweatt Memorial Park and tennis courtsbuilt in Wrentham Center with allocation from William H.Sweatt trust

Purchase of 17.6-acre Knuckup Hill parcels

Wrentham Conservation Commission established

Purchase of 15-acre Oxbow Meadow section of Glenwood

Ten-acre Craig Meadow section of Glenwood purchased

Crocker Pond 122.31-acre purchase approved by SpecialTown Meeting

29,595 sq. ft. parcel bordering Meadow Brook at Dedham St.deeded to Town

Burnt Swamp parcels totaling 37.81 acres purchased underdirection of Conservation Commission

6500BC

1640s

1673

1685

1908

1930s

1958

1962

1964

1964

1966

1967

1969

1970

1970

60.25-acre Joe's Rock area off West St. purchased withConservation Commission funds

Gift to Town of 4.5-acre wetland on Mirror Lake

Enactment of Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (G.L.Chapter 131 Sec.40) affects development potential of allWrentham lands

11.2-acre parcel on Old Meadow Brook Road transferred toConservation Commission at Special Town Meeting andadded to Crocker Pond area

15.81-acre parcel on Myrtle St. deeded to Town for protectionof natural and watershed resources and included in CrockerPond area

Revision of Conservation Commission's Open Space andRecreation Plan accepted

80-acre Birchwold Farm acquired by Town; ConservationCommission secures grant for a portion of the price

Wetlands Protection Bylaw adopted by Town Meeting

Wetland parcels, totaling 33 acres, given to Town underConservation Commission management, expands southernend of Crocker Pond conservation area and provides potentialfuture well site

5 acres on West Street frontage added to Joe’s RockConservation Area; purchased from Anna Massie with SweattFund and private donations

80-acre athletic fields purchased by Town from theCommonwealth

200-acre DiCarlo Property acquired by Town; ConservationCommission secures grant for a portion of the price

1972

1975

1975

1978

1984

1985

1985

1986

1988

1992

2001

2001

6

CONSERVATIONTIMELINE (cont’d)

HISTORY OFCONSERVATIONIN WRENTHAM

"W rentham is a favored place, flattered by Nature and smiled upon

by Man," read the opening lines of the town's official history.1

“The town is set in an area that boasts the best of natural facili-ties: excellent ponds and thus a good natural supply of water, good level landand yet some gently rolling hills to relieve what otherwise might have been amonotonous landscape, good marshland which would attract all manner ofanimal and bird life and provide marsh hay, and plenty of woods, where gameroamed and from which a good supply of lumber for construction and woodfor fuel might be obtained," the author continues, setting a scene that is, for-tunately, still familiar today. Those of us who live here now are but part of along line of residents who have recognized and often depended upon thearea's natural attributes.

Evidence exists of at least three primitive civilizations living in the town's north-west corner near Eagle Dam over a period of several thousand years, datingas far back as 6500 B.C. Imagine, this is before the ancient Egyptians,Babylonians, and Sumerians were developing cultures in the Fertile Crescent!

The earliest known inhabitants gathered our wild food crops and hunted andfished with spears and harpoons; a slightly later group also "manufactured"stone eating vessels of local materials; and the last prehistoric group, aboutthe time of Christ, modeled vessels from local clay and planted maize andcorn—New England's first farmers.

Archeological historianStephen Keighley describes theEagle Dam area as a goodresource of spring water fordrinking and cooking, claybeds nearby for the manufac-ture of utensils, and abundantgame in the woodlands.

It was the descendants of thelast of these indigenousgroups who gave the area thename Wollomonopoag, "Placeof Shells," and who were livinghere when the first Europeanssettlers came in the 1640s.

1 Wrentham 1673-1973, a History, by Jordan D. Fiore, Town of Wrentham, 1973

7

An old barn, since burned down, served as theCrocker Pond camp lodge in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

These colonists were attracted by therich meadows around the lakes, whichthey needed to feed the growing herdsof cattle that formed the basis of thePuritan economy in the early 1600s.By 1660, these men completed pur-chase of the land from the localNative American leader, King PhilipSachem, for a total of 41 pounds, 10shillings and 8 pence.

When the town was officially estab-lished in 1673, separating itself fromDedham, it was renamed "Wrentham,"after a small village near the coast inEast Suffolk, England.

That conservation began immediatelyis evident from town records, whichdate to 1671. One of the earliestmeasures passed by the town meetingwas intended to safeguard the standsof timber by regulating the felling of

cedar trees, the use of lumber, and bylevying penalties for wasting lumberand fuel wood.

Though all but two of the young town'shomes were burned during KingPhilip's War with the settlers in 1675-76, colonists returned to Wrentham in1680. The men drew lots for the land,choosing timberland, meadowland,home lots, and wood lots with care.

The first land set aside for commonuse was in 1685. Not surprisingly, oneof the parcels was the fertile "landbetween the two ponds" (Pearl andArcher), also four-plus acres near themeeting house (in the village centeritself), and miscellaneous land for the"encouragement of a school."

The economy became increasinglyvaried beginning in the late 1700s:Wrentham's abundant water support-ed a number of mills employed in thesmall-scale manufacture of cottonand wool cloth; the meadows provid-

ed agricultural space forgrowing the straw which fueleda successful straw hat manu-facturing center. Farming con-tinued, with poultry, hay, corn,and cattle being the most pop-ular.

An awareness of the aestheticand recreational values ofWrentham's land, beginningaround the 1870s, encour-aged the first influx of summerfolk, who built cottages on thelakes or boarded with localfamilies. Many of the visitorswere upper middle class fami-lies from Rhode Island or else-where in Massachusetts whoenjoyed the swimming and

8

History of Conservation

in Wrentham (cont’d.)

This uniquely balanced rock at F. Gilbert Hills StateForest in Foxborough is believed to suggest the existenceof an early Celtic civilization.

boating opportunities offered by thelakes.

It was about this time that the townset aside land between Creek Streetand Lake Pearl and called it George'sPark. In addition towater activities, it wasused as a picnic areaand was popular foroutdoor meetings inthe summer.

Late in the 19th cen-tury, the Enegren fam-ily, headed by WilliamL. Enegren, a localbanker who lived onCreek Street, beganthe development andexpansion of theGeorge's Park area.A d v e r t i s e m e n t sencouraged peopleto "avail [themselves]...of the cool breezesand charmingscenery" from thehigh bluff overlookingthe lake. Numerousactivities from boat-ing to carousels toevening dancingattracted people frommiles around for afamily day at LakePearl. Though the listof activities has nar-rowed, Lake PearlPark continues to beone of the town'sbest-known attrac-tions.

Over time, many ofWrentham's morepopulous centers

were spun off as the separate townsof Norfolk, Franklin, and Plainville.While some of these independent"children" developed into bustlingmunicipalities, Wrentham itself main-tained a more rural charm.

For years, Wrenthamcontinued as a sleepylittle village, increas-ing its populationabout two per centannually. After WorldWar II, however, thetown's attributes were"discovered," spark-ing a faster pace ofdevelopment.

It was the continuingthreat to its ruralqualities thatWrentham sought tostem with the estab-lishment at the May1962 Town Meetingof a townC o n s e r v a t i o nCommission andprovisions for abroad program ofconservation, includ-ing the promotionand development ofnatural resources.Members of the firstCommission wereMarjorie E. Taylor,chairman, Louis A.Maguire, vice-chair-man, Edna K.Williams, secretary,Lionel Schensnol,George E. Reynolds,Charles S. Canning,Jr., and Lawrence C.Perkins.

9

The Commission held its first meetingSeptember 19 of that year andreported having met with commis-sions from other towns as well asseeking input from state and countyconservation officials and profession-als. Maps were prepared showinggreenbelt areas (linked rather thanisolated parcels), drainage flow, andforest areas. Master Plan formatswere distributed, and a public educa-tion meeting was held January 9,1963. In the Annual Report for 1962,the Commission asked for publicsupport of their efforts, warning thatwithout such a program, "the townhas no way to prevent the develop-ment into areas that should be keptgreen and would result in thespoilage of the lakes, ponds andstreams and ultimately to the pollu-tion of same."

As the town's "Conservation Timeline"shows, acquisition of land for publicuse and preservation of open spaceand natural resources has continuedat a slow but steady pace since thattime.

The proposed MasterPlan for Wrentham,developed in 1975,directly addressed con-servation issues, point-ing out that the town'snatural features, in theform of open spaces,conservation areas,greenways, and parks,contribute to both themaintenance and cre-ation of property values.

It stressed the importance of address-ing these needs before developmen-tal pressures and their accompanyinginherent high land values limited thepossibilities open to the town.

The rapid local residential growthbeginning in the 1980s that hasaccompanied the positive economicclimate of Massachusetts and neigh-boring Rhode Island has broughthome to townspeople the need toprotect those resources that attractedthe first food gathering Indians to"The Land of Shells" long before thebirth of Christ.

The Conservation Commissionbegan producing the Open Spaceand Recreation Plan required by theCommonwealth in 1985 and hasupdated that plan in 1995 and2000. The Open Space Plan docu-ments the desires of the townspeoplewith respect to the management ofexisting conservation land as well asthe acquisition of future properties.The last edition of the Open SpacePlan, in 2000, was instrumental inobtaining the new land for theRecreation Department, and the 200-acre Wollomonopoag ConservationArea property.

10

History of Conservation

in Wrentham (cont’d.)

Ben Bemb e n ek

Joe’s Rock

11

NATURALRESOURCES

OVERVIEW

TOPOGRAPHY

Wrentham is located in a transition zone where land characteristicschange from those of the basin or coastal lowlands surroundingBoston, to the broadening slope of eastern escarpment of the

Worcester Plateau. The undulating to rolling topography, formed by glaciersand basically unchanged since these masses moved through the area thou-sands of years ago, ranges from low wetlands, to one of the highest points insoutheastern Massachusetts on top of Joe's Rock, elevation 490 feet.

Other high points includePinnacle Rock (430 ft.) and theBalanced Rock area (440 ft.),both in Wrentham State Forest,and Knuckup Hill (410 ft.).

A wealth of rock formations andtypes underlie the area, includinggranite, porphyry, felsite, andquartz and metamorphosed sedi-mentary deposits. Also, in theWrentham State Forest, there are several huge erratics—rocks transported alarge distance from their original source by a glacier.

The town is rich in sand and gravel and stone beds, created by retreating gla-ciers, that provide important areas for recharging of ground water. The per-vious composition of these beds allows surface water to return in varyingdegrees to the groundwater and underground aquifers from which our townand some of our neighbors draw water. These resources are also mined forlocal construction and broader commercial purposes.

WATER RESOURCES

Wrentham has numerous small ponds and several Great Ponds—sodesignated by the State when they exceed 10 acres in size.Wrentham's Great Ponds are Archer, Pearl, and Mirror Lakes, which

serve both recreational and conservation purposes. Lake Archer has beenone of the better warm water fishing areas in the State. Unfortunately, thewater quality of these water bodies is being threatened by population and use.

Wrentham's four watersheds provide it with a unique relation-ship to a number of neighboring communities as well as to theregion as a whole. Although it can boast no major rivers within its14,515 acres, the town's abundant wetlands serve as headwaters for two reservoirs:Attleboro's Mirimichi Reservoir and Pawtucket's Cumberland Reservoir—and four rivers—the Charles River, the Taunton River, Ten Mile River, and Blackstone River.

Eagle Brook and Lake Pearl are stocked with trout and salmon by the Northeast Regionof the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Wetlands like those atMiscoe Brook and Bungay and Burnt Swamps provide waterfowl habitats as well asstorage basins to retard run-off during periods of heavy rain.

VEGETATION

"W oodlands cover a large amount of land in Wrentham, especially sinceportions of state forest land extend into the town boundaries. Most ofthese woodlands are not virgin stands, but rather second and third

growth forest, reclaiming land that at one time was almost completely cleared for tim-ber and farming.

"Oak, hickory, and pine are the most common trees in Wrentham's woodlands. Wherethere is more moisture, the variety of trees increases to include red maple, black birch,black cherry, and hemlock. The swamp areas may include black gum, swamp maples,and Atlantic white cedar. Occasionally some southern species and northern hardwoods

appear." 2

At various times in Wrentham history, timber has played an important economic role,including support of a wooden boat building business established in 1821.

Among the shrubbery and groundcovers that can be found are high and low bushblueberries, dewberries, bittersweet, and winterberry. And hundreds of species of wild-flowers bloom because of Wrentham's topographical range from low wetlands to high,sunbaked granite ledges.

WILDLIFE

Again, attributable to its topographical diversity, almost all species of woodlandgame reside in Wrentham, including deer, beaver, fox, raccoons, rabbits, opos-sum, pine martins, coyotes and woodchucks, as well as ducks, geese, pheas-

ants, wild turkey, quail, partridge, and white and great blue herons.

2 Wrentham Open Space and Recreation Plan, 1984, pages 11-12

Natural Resources

Overview (cont’d.)

12

OPENS PA C E S

and

CONSERVATIONLANDS

BIRCHWOLD FARM

14

For many years a working dairy, Phillips Wheeler's Birchwold Farm nowprovides 129 acres of conservation and passive recreation opportuni-ties for Wrentham residents. Located at the intersection of Route 121

and West Street in Sheldonville, its features include the large open field visiblefrom the road, as well as a pond, wetlands, hardwood groves, climbable rockledges, a scenic overlook, and an abundance of flora and fauna.

The 80-acre property was purchased by the town in 1985, following eminentdomain proceedings, from the heirs of its much-respected owner, PhillipsWheeler. Eighty percent of the purchase funds were provided throughMassachusetts' Self-Help Program. Since 1985, the Conservation Commissionhas added 49 acres to the property through tax takings and via additionalland in an open space subdivision.

Birchwold's recreational opportunities along its many paths include naturestudy, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, rock-climbing, andcamping with permission from the Conservation Commission.

Maintenance ofBirchwold's openagricultural landthrough occasionalmowing provideswildlife habitat aswell as protection ofthe watershed forPawtucket, RhodeIsland's CumberlandReservoir.

Parking is adjacentto the ConservationCommission sign onRoute 121 justbefore it dividesfrom West Street.Additional walkingentries are onGrant’s Mill, offHeather Lane, andEllery Street.

JOE’S ROCK

This 60.25-acre property com-bines the tranquility of a 20-acre bog pond with striking

220-degree views of metropolitanBoston to the northeast and theRhode Island countryside to thesouthwest. These breathtaking viewsare visible from the dramatic cliffsthat rise 150 feet from the pond'sedge. The rock's 490-foot elevation isthe highest in Wrentham.

Joe's Rock is just across from theBirchwold Farm entrance—shortlybefore West Street separates fromRoute 121—about four miles west ofWrentham Center. A trail leads fromthe small parking lot to a five-acremeadow. The pond, once a cranber-ry bog, flows southward to thePawtucket Reservoir and north to theCharles River. In the warmer months,one can enjoy the area’s abundantwildlife and wetlands flora. In the win-ter, the pond affords excellent ice-skating opportunities.

Passing along the side of the mead-ow, the trail rises through a 35-acre

hillside to the top of the massive rockoutcropping which gives the area itsname—said to come from a NativeAmerican legend dating back to thedays of King Philip Sachem's encoun-ters with the English settlers in the1670s. The cliff has been called themost interesting property in this cor-ner of southeastern Massachusettsfrom a geologic and aesthetic view-point. It is accessible via two trails,one of which winds gradually whilethe other is a shorter, steeper route. The property also contains a dam onthe pond's south side and remnants of

an old stage road.

The parcel was pur-chased by the town in1970 from Anna L.T.Massie and theWentworth Massie estate.Fifty percent of the$25,000 purchase pricewas provided by the StateSelf-Help Program. In1992, Ms. Massie sold tothe Town an additional 5-acre parcel that directlyabuts the Joe's Rock par-cel and West Street.A peaceful wooded path at Birchwold Farm

15

BURNT SWAMP

Burnt Swamp is a 41-acrewater-saturated parcel thatis located east of Burnt

Swamp Road in Sheldonville.Abundant with wildlife, Burnt Swampis adjacent to miles of forestland.Within these headwaters of thePawtucket Reservoir, ducks, pheas-ants, and wild cranberries can befound. The swamp also provides animportant storage basin, retardingrun-off during periods of heavy rain.While there are no trails, the swampis very accessible from any pointalong the Burnt Swamp Road bound-ary. The land was purchased by theTown upon recommendation of theConservation Commission in 1969from William and Margaret Dias forprotection of town wetlands.

This member of the Water Plaintain Family can be found around lakeand stream margins, marshes and swamps.

18

19

WOLLOMONOPOAG

Owned by the DiCarlo family for many years, the Town acquired thisproperty by eminent domain in 2001. In the past, the 200-acre par-cel had been proposed for residential development and cranberry

bogs. The Conservation Commission recognized the importance of this prop-erty to water quality and wildlife in the early 1990's and made it the center-piece of its Open Space and Recreation Plan in 1995 and 2000. The featuresof this site include those of historical interest, geology, and wildlife.

Wollomonopoag, which means “Place of Shells,” features: two miles of trails,large eskers, a beaver dam and pond, as well as extensive marshes, and amature forest. Eskers are the remnants of river beds which ran beneath gla-ciers more than 10,000 years ago. As the glaciers melted, flood waters ranbeneath the ice in tunnels, which contained enormous loads of gravel andboulders. Eskers today commonly appear as sinuous, steep ridges. They arecomprised of gravel which is typically mined and taken away as fill. Therefore,eskers are becoming increasingly scarce in eastern Massachusetts.

(continued on page 20)

HOMERCROCKER POND

20

This property lies on the upper reach-es of the Mill River and Charles Riverwatershed. The area is important towater quality on a regional level.Locally, Wollomonopoag is the key-stone in over 600 acres of openspace in this portion of the water-shed. Downstream, the Towns ofWrentham, Franklin, Norfolk, Millisand Medway have well fields thatdepend on the water quality in thiswatershed. A highly productive wellfor the Town is located on adjacentWater Department land that over-looks Lake Pearl.

The Wollomonopoag ConservationArea consists of mixed hardwoodand pine forests. The property ishome to scarlet tanager, deer,beaver, pine martin, coyote, and wildturkey. Twenty years ago residentsand game officials would have beenskeptical of such animals existing ineastern Massachusetts.

It is known that the area was inhabit-ed by Native Americans several cen-turies ago. It does not take muchimagination to picture the naturalresources and natural defensivepositions that the Native Americanswould have used.

WOLLOMONOPOAG

(cont’d.)

For many years the original 122.31 acres of this property were the sum-mer home and campgrounds for the Crocker family of Brookline. Thepond area, originally the site of historic grist and saw mills, had revert-

ed to meadow when the Crockers first leased it in 1924. They restored thepond and subsequently ran a summer camp on the property during the 1920sand 1930s. The area is located at the juncture of Myrtle Street and Route 1,with access from both north and south of Myrtle Street. The pond and walk-ing trails provide opportunities for canoeing, fishing, hiking, picnicking, andenjoying nature.

In 1988, a picnic and hiking area on the south side of Myrtle Street was devel-oped in memory of the late Lionel Schensnol, a founding and long-timemember of the Conversation Commission. Crocker Pond serves the dual pur-pose of preserving a beautiful area for local recreation while protecting theheadwaters of Lake Mirimichi, a major Attleboro water supply. Crocker Pondis also the upper watershed for Wrentham's well number 4.

(continued on page 21)

The pond, meadows, and originalcamp building, which was destroyedby a fire, were purchased jointly bythe Town of Wrentham and the Cityof Attleboro in 1966 from Constanceand Richard Crocker. State Self-HelpProgram funds provided 50% ofWrentham's share of the purchaseprice.

Additional parcels have been addedto Crocker Pond over the years.Among these are 15.81 acres thatwere acquired from Frank E. andVirginia A. Dicks in 1975, whichinclude at 20-foot right-of-way alongthe northeast side of Myrtle Street. In1978, the town transferred to theC o n s e r v a t i o nCommission an 11.2-acre parcel west ofCrocker Pond alongMeadow Brook, whichflows into the north endof the pond. The area isgenerally marshy, witha small pond nearMyrtle St. This was orig-inally part of the estateof Mrs. Jesse Jenson. In1988, a gift of 32.91acres of adjacent wet-land from the SalvatoreB. Simeone familyexpanded the southend of the CrockerPond area. Foot accessto the Crocker Pondarea is possible alongOld Meadow BrookRoad from Federico

Drive via a fenced-in and markedeasement granted to the town by thedeveloper of the property adjacent tothe old road.

Although owned by the Departmentof Public Works, a 57.8-acre parcelknown as Rabbit Hill Brook connectsthe Crocker Pond area on the southto the Attleboro water supply. Thisextends from the southern boundaryof Crocker Pond to Thurston Street,where it intersects with Hawes Street.The Rabbit Hill Brook property wasoriginally acquired by the WaterDepartment by eminent domain aspart of a well site.

21

HOMER CROCKER

POND (cont’d.)

FRANKLINSTATE FOREST

A60-acre portion of the 843-acre Franklin State Forest laps over intowestern-most Wrentham in Sheldonville, north of West Street and westof Ash Street. Along with Foxborough's F. Gilbert Hills State Forest and

the Wrentham State Forest, the Franklin Forest is being studied with an eye tofuture development of its potential natural and recreational assets. (Seeentries for F. Gilbert Hills and Wrentham State Forests for further informationon the study and for directions to the State Forest Fire Headquarters inFoxborough that manages all three forests and furnishes detailed maps.)

The Wrentham section of Franklin State Forest is primarily wet, and not goodfor hiking. It encompasses a horseshoe-shaped section of the MiscoeMeadow area including cranberry bogs, waterfowl habitat, and the historicsite of the former Fishers and Hawes Saw and Grist Mill. It also is valuable asa storage basin to retard run-off to the Charles River during periods of heavyrain. Some of the drier land provides opportunities for hiking and horsebackriding.

The property is accessible from Ash Street. The forest lands were purchasedby the State in the 1930s for five dollars an acre.

22

Cathy Sanguinetti

"A true conservationist is a manwho knows that the world is notgiven by his fathers but borrowed

from his children."

ANONYMOUS

F. G ILBERT HILLSSTATE FOREST

One hundred and forty acresof this 810-acre State Forestlie within Wrentham's

boundaries, making it readily accessi-ble to local residents.

A number of existing trails throughthis primarily forested property areaccessible from Madison Street. Onetrail is opposite a former landfill, andanother is Red Fox Trail, an old cartpath off Taunton Street, on the left,1.6 miles from the Town Common.The Warner Trail (see separate entryand map) traverses F. Gilbert Hills onits 34-mile path from Canton toCumberland, RI. Much of the land issteep and rocky.

Already permitted within forestboundaries are hiking, horseback rid-ing, orienteering, snowmobiling (onspecially marked trails), and cross-country skiing. Future projects mightinclude an interpretive/visitors' centerin the Foxborough section, campingand picnic areas, bicycle trails, andwildlife restocking.

F. Gilbert Hills State Forest was pur-chased by the Commonwealth in the1930s for $5 an acre. Further infor-mation is available from Forest FireHeadquarters in Foxborough; inform-ative and basic trail maps are avail-able there. To reach the headquar-ters, take Route 140 toward

Foxborough. Go right onThurston Street; cross Route1, where Thurston Streeteventually becomes WestStreet in Foxborough. FollowWest onto Mill Street andcontinue for one mile to theheadquarters building on left.Telephone (508) 543-5850.

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TROUT POND

The 62-acre Trout Pond area, which is managed by the Town WaterDepartment, is comprised of large areas of forest, with paths leadingfrom its Taunton Street entrance to Beach Street. The pond has long

been used for fishing and skating.

The Trout Pond area, which is contiguous with Knuckup Hill, began with a42.5-acre gift to the town in 1908, when the state authorized the taking of theponds and surrounding land for the town's first water supply. The donors wereEllen F. Mason, Mary A. and Maria F. Smith, Fred E. Gilmore, George W.Porter, and Daniel Brown. The wells drilled there were exhausted in the 1960s. Trout Pond’s natural beauty still shines through, although the area is currentlyin need of rehabilitation.

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KNUCKUP HILL

This highly visible 17-acre property rises directly behind the town athlet-ic fields at the end of Randall Road beyond King Philip Plaza inWrentham Center. In addition to its winter recreational value, the 40-

acre hillside—which includes town and school property—is a combination ofopen slopes and tall hardwoods. From its open and sunny top, there arepanoramic views to the north and west.

Knuckup Hill is also the site of one of the Town's water towers and is crossedby the Warner Trail. The property is contiguous on its south side with the TroutPond area off Taunton Street. The parcel was put together from a number ofsmall pieces purchased with town Conservation Funds in 1964 for recreation-al use.

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A view of Wrentham Center from the top of Knuckup Hill

"For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every greentree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

EAGLE BROOKCORRIDOR

Eagle Brook runs northward from Lake Pearl and is bordered by 37 acresof Conservation Commission land. Access to the brook is located at thepublic parking lot on Route 140. The Conservation Commission land

consists mostly of wetlands and a few trails. However, the entire stream may becanoed from the parking lot northward to Lake Pearl and southward toNorfolk. Canoeists may pass through the Anglers’ Club and the Cranberry Bogby virtue of the Chapter 91 law that allows boating traffic on navigable water-ways.

The key parcels in this corridor are the 15-acre Oxbow Meadow and the10-acre Craig Meadow. The remaining areas are part of a string of prop-erties that border Eagle Brook from Route 140 northward to Oxbow Meadow.

Oxbow Meadow, so-named because of the U-shaped nature of Eagle Brookat this point, lies north of Franklin Street and west of Park Street. It consists pri-marily of wetlands and adjoins marsh and mill pond property belonging to theWrentham Anglers’ Club. Though access to the meadow is limited, it can beapproached through a path off Franklin Street (Route 140) near Elysium Street,as well as from a steep deeded entry off Laurie Lane. This path, through vari-ous branches beyond conservation land boundaries, eventually leads toFranklin and Norfolk near the Park Street cranberry bogs. The trail is interest-ing because it follows an old cartpath laid on the top of parallel eskers (a wind-ing ridge of sand or gravel, deposited by a stream flowing in or under glacialice). Several small ponds are located along the trail.

The Oxbow Meadow parcel was purchased in 1964 from Joseph A. andMargaret L. Hunchard and Frederick C. and Lois M. Hyldberg for $1,000.Craig Meadow, which is primarily wetland, was acquired shortly after Oxbow,in 1964, from Harry J. Webb for $350.

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"Eventually all things merge into one and a river runs through it. Theriver was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from thebasement of time. On some rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the

rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.”

NORMAN MACLEAN - A River Runs Through It

OPEN SPACESUBDIVISION PARCELS

There are currently four open space properties that, as of time of publi-cation of this booklet, are at various stages of development. Theseproperties will be accessible to the public and will offer passive recre-

ation, hiking and viewing of wildlife. For more information about open spaceproperties, please read the definition below.

The Open Space Subdivision parcels are:

More than 50 acres at the Whipple Estates subdivision off Jenks Streetat the far western end of Wrentham. When completed, this exceptional areawill offer trails that overlook streams and waterfalls. The ConservationCommission hopes to have picnic areas available as well as improved trails.

13 acres of public open space at Whip-poor-will Estates, off ChestnutStreet, which features a short trail that accesses a pond for skating or wildlifeviewing.

A 12-acre open space area at John Tate Place, off West Street, whichserves to connect the trails that follow the electric powerline easements usedby horseback riders and mountain bikers.

56 acres of open space at Wampanoag Estates, which directly abutsLake Pearl. The developer has installed a trail that will faciliate entry to thisproperty [handicap access may be available].

5 acres at Heaton Place accessed from a trail along Ash Street. The trailascends the hillside at Heaton Place up to a level area that affords views ofFranklin State Forest.

Open Space, as defined by Chapter 17 of the Town Bylaws, allows a devel-oper to build on smaller lots in return for setting aside land that will be per-manently protected from future development. These subdivisions do not yieldany additional houses for the developer; however, they do lessen the overallimpact of the development from the standpoint of natural resources. The Townchooses how that protected property will be held and managed. Some openspace subdivisions hold the land privately, while others are deeded to the Townand Conservation Commission. In all cases, they are protected from futuredevelopment by deed—their building rights are removed permanently.Contact the Conservation Commission for updates as to the accessibility ofthese areas. All of these areas have tremendous potential for public use andit is anticipated that they will be valuable assets to those living in the abuttingsubdivision as well as the Townspeople in general.

(continued on page 29)

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SWEATT BEACH &BOAT LANDING

These public recreation-al facilities are part ofabout 56-acres of town

Water Department land.Swimming, shore fishing andrecreational boating are avail-able to Wrentham residentsalong 2,500 feet of shorelineat the Sweatt Beach and PublicBoat Landing, accessible fromElysium Street off Route 140.Any fishing-licensedMassachusetts resident mayfish on the lake, categorized asa "Great Pond" and stockedregularly with trout. Ice-fishingis especially popular in winter.

Sweatt Beach and the Boat Landing are managed by the WrenthamRecreation Committee. Beach permits are available for a modest fee on aseasonal or daily basis. The remaining acres, which border an old mill pondthat feeds into Lake Pearl, contain the Water Department pumping station.

The recreational facilities were developed in 1966 with a grant from theSweatt Fund. Established in the 1930s by William H. Sweatt, the Sweatt Fundannually awards the interest generated by its invested principal to support"luxuries" not provided by town taxes.

Additional open space, not open to the public, has been preserved atBlackberry Hill, Wolloff Estates, and Wamsutta Way subdivisions. These spacesserve to protect our water supply and provide wildlife corridors within theTown. Walking eastments have also been granted by Joseph Lorusso at theend of Lyndon Road, and by Fred Holmes and Norwood Stamping Companyoff Cushing Drive, which add to a planned corridor connecting Norfolk andWrentham to Foxboro.

OPEN SPACE

SUBDIVISION PARCELS(cont’d.)

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Wrentham is familiar to thousands of New Englanders as host to a por-tion of the Warner Trail, a 34-mile-long path stretching fromCanton, Massachusetts to Diamond Hill, Rhode Island.

Approximately 14 miles of the trail traverse Wrentham, entering the town fromF. Gilbert Hills State Forest—a section of which extends into the northeast cor-ner of Wrentham from Foxborough.

Access to the trail is possible at a number of places. If you are a first time vis-itor, it is advised that you walk the trail accompanied by someone knowledge-able about its meanderings.

For a copy of the Warner Trail map, please contact the MassachusettsDepartment of Conservation and Recreation at (617) 626-1250, or visit theirwebsite at www.state.ma.us/dem.

To find out about scheduled and guided hikes or to get written information,contact the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest at (508) 543-5850, or contact theWrentham Conservation Commission at (508) 384-5417 for the names ofexperienced local hikers.

The Wrentham segment of the Warner Trail leaves F. Gilbert Hills for theCrocker Pond Conservation Area. From there it winds through the WrenthamState Forest and into Town lands on and around Trout Pond and Knuckup Hill.It then re-enters Wrentham State Forest from Beach Street, emerging on Route1A near Wampum Corner. Turning down Route 121, it picks up an abandonedrailroad bed, which it follows under I-495. The trail skirts a large outlet mallto Green Street. From the south side of Green Street, it follows a ridgeline andascends Red Brush (Sunset) Hill, where good views are possible. The traildescends to Hancock Street and Burnt Swamp, re-entering a thickly forestedarea and passing into Plainville briefly before going on into Rhode Island,where it ends at Diamond Hill State Park in Cumberland.

Established in 1939, Warner Trail is maintained by the Appalachian MountainClub. It is currently being remarked and improved with white blazes. A newguide will be available from the State. The trail is not for the inexperiencedhiker, however, as markings are not always clear. Over the years, old blazeshave been left in place as new ones were made. For information about theAppalachian Mountain Club, please visit their website at www.outdoors.org.

WARNER TRAIL

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This three-quarter acre park and two tennis courts are located belowstreet level at the junction of Franklin and South Streets. The tenniscourts are available to all Wrentham residents without a permit, and

are lighted for evening use. The courts were built by the Works ProjectAdministration in 1932-1933, utilizing some Sweatt Fund money.

WRENTHAM CENTER

SWEATT MEMORIAL PARKAND TENNIS COURTS

The Veteran’s Memorial at Wrentham Town Common

Wrentham's two-acre Town Common has long provided a tranquilfocal point for the town center, having been among the first proper-ties set aside for common use in 1685. With its benches, bandstand,

gazebo, and tall shade trees, it provides a daily oasis as well as a convenientand scenic location for many civic activities throughout the year.

Wrentham purchased this 88-acre parcel for active recreational use in 2001.Although half of the area is currently used for Wrentham Youth Soccer, plani-ing is underway for a more versatile facility in the future.

TOWN COMMON

FUTURE ATHLETIC FIELDS

WRENTHAMSTATE FOREST

Wrentham State Forest, man-aged by a senior forest andpark supervisor under the

Department of Conservation andRecreation, comprises roughly 1,064acres in the southeast corner ofWrentham, west of Route 1 andlargely north of I-495.

It is characterized by its high, rockycliffs, including Pinnacle Rock (430ft.) and the Balanced Rock area (440ft.). There are also several smallwaterfalls, wetlands and numeroussidepaths. The Warner Trail passesthrough the Forest. The area isunique in that it lies in the middle ofa highly-developed residential area.The Wrentham State Forest,along with those inFoxborough and Franklin, arecurrently being studied forfurther development of their

trail, camping, picnicking, forest andwildlife management, and interpre-tive program possibilities. Access tothe forest is available from any num-ber of points, especially where it isbordered by Madison, Taunton,Beach, and Berry Streets. Additionalinformation about the forest is avail-able from the State Forest FireHeadquarters on Mill Street inFoxborough.

The property was purchased in the1930s for five dollars an acre by theState Department of NaturalResources. At the time, the mostlyabandoned farmland and forest hadbeen extensively cut for firewood.

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"To me a lush carpetof pine needles or

spongy grass is morewelcome than the mostluxurious Persian rug."

HELEN KELLER

Wrentham

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