The Thompson Street reservation features exposed bedrock, vernal pools, woodland and swamp. There are traces of many trails that used to be wagon paths for early settlers to access their woodlots, but have since been overgrown with scrub growth due to numerous fires. Allowed activities: horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, nature study, picnicking, snowshoeing.
Bundle up, buttercup and make a great choice on the day after Thanksgiving, known in Trustees-land as Green Friday! Forget about shopping and head outdoors! This year, The Trustees is supporting REI’s national initiative to close on Black Friday and encourage families to #OptOutside. To celebrate this bold initiative, admission and parking to all Trustees outdoor sites is FREE. Join us: skip the shopping and take the day after Thanksgiving to enjoy the great outdoors with friends and family. (Or, dare we say after a busy holiday, even by yourself!)
These 100 year old gardens are comprised of separated outdoor 'rooms' that surround the Federal Style Brick House. Each 'room' is distinct, and accented by ornaments and statuary. The gardens are surroundede by over 100 acres of woodlands,and uinique spaces including an apple orchard, a meadow,a children’s garden andagricultural fields that including a 2-acre organic vegetable farm run by The Food Project as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project.
Since the The Trustees of Reservations opened the Children's Rocky Woodland at Ravenswood Park, have have walked the trail numerous times. It's a wonderful loop trail that starts at the Nature Center located at the park entrance on Western Avenue and loops around the front of the park to intersect with the Magnolia Swamp Trail. At this intersection you can loop back to the entrance by going right, OR you can go left and continue on to the Magnolia Swamp, which is an adventure in itself. The option is presented at the perfect time in the hike, because you can ask the members of your exploration team if they want to head back or move on!
The scenic views of the Danvers River and the natural landscaping throughout the site make it a popular destination for both the residents of Ryal Side and of the entire community. Public swimming is allowed, but there is no lifeguard on duty so you swim at your own risk.
