Willow Brook Farm is a Wildlands Trust property located in Pembroke off Route 14. The property consists of 127 acres of unique landscape and just under 3 miles of trails. One of the best features of the property is the Tower located on the edge of a freshwater tidal marsh. The view from the top enables visitors to birdwatch and get a brand new perspective of the landscape.
The area is extremely productive for wildlife and conserves an unusual freshwater tidal marsh, a habitat type of both state and global significance. Tidal fluctuations can be observed here, some 11 miles upstream from the Atlantic Ocean. Within the valley lies a wilderness of more than 2,000 acres, which is a headwater area of the North River, and critical to water quality downstream. This unspoiled area, in which no development can be seen, is surprising given that the valley is surrounded by suburban towns and is only 30 miles from Boston. The diversity and interesting topography encourages visitors to return often to sample the changing seasons.
Trail Notes:
- Connecting to the Misty Meadows Trail as reflected on the map
- The trail is generally very level and even terrain. The trail beds do seem to have more exposed roots once you pass the Fields - but should be accessible for all with some challenges for strollers.
- Absolutely worth making it to the Tower for a birds eye view of the tidal marsh area of the property - very unique!
History:
In August 1996, a Marshfield couple offered to fund Wildlands' acquisition of a high-quality conservation property. Staff and board members explored 28 potential sites in 19 towns before deciding that two neighboring properties in Herring Brook Valley on the upper reaches of the North River in Pembroke were lands of exceptional ecological, recreational, and scenic value. Thanks to the generosity of the visionary couple, who donated over one million dollars to the project, and to the willingness of the owners of the properties — Connie and Marcia Crosby at Willow Brook Farm and Leah Conathan and Jane Cohn at Fleetwood Farm — to sell at substantial discounts from the appraised values, both historic farms were acquired by Wildlands Trust.
Willow Brook Farm—original purchase funded by anonymous donor – 73 acres, 1997
Fleetwood Farm—purchase funded by anonymous donor – 20 acres, 1997
Gillette-Sherman—donation by Burton Sherman & Bob Gillette – 7 acres, 1998
Missing Link—purchase funded by donors and grants – 24 acres, 2002
Slavin Donation—donation by Sharon Slavin – 3.2 acres, 2005
