About North Common Meadow |
25 acres |
Children love to play in the field of wildflowers then listen for the splash of frogs at the adjacent lily pond.
What makes North Common Meadow a special place?
Having once served both as pasture land and as part of a golf course for the Nichewaug Inn, the broad expanse of North Common Meadow today is woven into the rural fabric and character of Petersham Center. Ground-nesting birds hide in the tall grasses of the upper meadow grasses while wildflowers burst into color in the lower meadow. Off of North Main Street, the historic Law Office of Aaron Brooks, an influential supporter of open space in the late 19th century, overlooks a working hayfield. A trail leads down through the meadow, around the small, lily-covered pond, and out to East Street. You can also follow a short spur trail north into the Roaring Brook Tract of Brooks Woodland Preserve.
The Buell Woods Trail, a short walk south, across the street from the Meadow’s East Street entrance, provides a forested connection to the Brooks Woodland Preserve.
Trails
A trail system, beginning at the Brooks Law Office, winds for one-half mile down through the meadow, around the pond, and out onto East Street. Easy walking. Looking down the meadow, a short spur leads hikers off to the left into the Roaring Brook Tract of the Brooks Woodland Preserve trail system.
When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1/2 hour, longer if visiting Brooks Woodland Preserve or Swift River Reservation.
Regulations & Advisories
- Dogs must be kept on leash at all times.
- Seasonal hunting is permitted subject to local and state laws. Learn more about hunting on Trustees land.
Directions
22 North Main Street and 27 East Street
Petersham, MA 01366
Telephone: 413.532.1631
Email: central@ttor.org
Latitude: 42.491
Longitude: -72.185
Get directions on Google Maps.
From Rt. 2, take Exit 17, Rt. 32 South, to
Petersham.
From the Town Hall in Petersham Center, either travel 0.4 mi. down East St. and park along the road at the entrance, or travel north 0.1 mi. on Main St. (Rt. 32) and park along the road in front of the historic Brooks Law Office.
Admission
When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1/2 hour, longer if visiting Brooks Woodland Preserve or Swift River Reservation.
Admission
FREE to all.
Property History
Once pasture for livestock, the property later was part of a golf course for the Nichewaug Inn, which operated on the Common through the first half of the 20th century.
Property Acquisition History
Original acreage purchased in 1975 with funds given anonymously. Additional land purchased in 1978.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are no volunteer positions at this reservation at this time; please check again later or click here to find other opportunities near you.
Work Parties
There are no work parties at this reservation at this time; please check again later or click here to find other work parties near you.
Conservation and Stewardship
Management Planning for Our Properties
Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated approximately every ten years. We often work with volunteers, property users, and members of the community to carry out this planning, which typically involves several steps:
- Describing in detail the site’s natural, scenic, and historical resources; identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources.
- Describing how visitors use the property; outlining the opportunities that the property provides for people to become involved in the work of conservation and caring for their community.
- Developing a detailed list of management recommendations, a work plan, and a description of financial needs for implementing the actions.
- Developing a prescribed routine management program for the reservation that will guide staff work plans, volunteer involvement, and the allocation of human and financial resources.
Maps and Resources
Printed trail maps are distributed free from bulletin boards in parking areas. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.
Additional resources:
Private Functions
Outdoor private functions may be arranged for up to 100 people. For more information, e-mail central@ttor.org or call 978.840.4446.
Planning Your Visit
Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.
Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:
- Protect wildlife and plants.
- Guard against all risk of fire.
- Help keep air and water clean.
- Carry out what you carry in.
- Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
- Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
- Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
- Enjoy and share the landscape with others.
Click on links below for further visitor information:
Tell Us What You Think
We’d love to hear about your visit! Here are three easy ways to let us know what you think:
-
Take our visitor survey. If you have a question for us, you can ask us in the survey and we’ll get back to you.
- Post a comment about your visit on our Facebook page.
- Share your experiences with other visitors on our website. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll post your comment right here on this page.
Announcements & Alerts
No advisories at this time.
Upcoming Things To Do
Other Trustees Properties You Might Like:
Brooks Woodland Preserve
Petersham, MA
Swift River Reservation
Petersham, MA
Rock House Reservation
West Brookfield, MA
