Willards Woods Conservation Area

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www.lexingtonma.org/conservation/Lands/Willards.html
This 100 acre property allows one to wander through an old farm that appears much as it did more than 140 years ago. The property includes an old apple orchard, a mill pond, open fields, and a lovely white pine grove, as well as two brooks and extensive wetlands. Many large glacial boulders are scattered about the area. A bicycle path from Hathaway Road and The old mill pondBrent Road to North Street, as well as numerous trails run through this property, part of which is mowed after nesting season to keep it open.In addition to the pine grove there are areas where maples, oaks and beech are following the pattern of hardwood succession common to New England. The meadows contain a variety of wild flowers as well as domestic species that have gone on blooming in the wild. Patches of blueberries grow along the Bike Path. An occasional asparagus plant can also be seen in the meadows. One trail runs along the edge of an extensive wetland and through blackberry patches. Near the Bike Path is a small artificial pond created to provide the water power source to a mill which was once located across North Street. A chimney of the Willard cottage remains, as well as an iron farm wagon tire that was placed over a sapling long ago and now encircles a large tree.

At the old orchard near North Street is a picnic area with 3 fireplaces and a few picnic tables with benches during the spring, summer, and early fall months.

Bluebird boxes have been set out on the open meadow and adjacent to the orchard, but so far there have been no reports of nesting activity by bluebirds. There are, however, many reports of fox sightings each year, as well as raccoons, opossum, occasional deer, and recently some eastern coyotes. Many resident and migratory bird species can be found in this area.

The trails are used in every season, by walkers, cross country skiers, snow shoe enthusiasts, and an occasional horseback rider. Many of those leading off of the Bike Path are quite accessible by wheelchair, though hardly smooth. Dog walking is allowed, but dog owners are required to comply with Lexington's leash law and pooper scooper law. When the weather is dry some of the trails are usable by bikes, but motorized vehicles are prohibited at all times, and in wet weather bikes will cause severe erosion so please don't use them then.

A parking area is available off North Street as well as limited on-street parking at North Street, on Brent Road near the Bike Path entrance, at the junction of Longfellow and Hawthorne Roads, and at the end and middle of Redcoat Lane. Another access with ample parking is from the middle of the Diamond Middle School's parking area off of Hancock street at the rotary.