Town of Hanson Conservation Recreation Areas-Veterans Memorial Town Forest

VETERANS MEMORIAL TOWN FOREST

Access: Across from Indian Head School there is parking at the Hanson Baseball Field lot and a trail head. There is also access a short distance down Indian Head Street where you will find a Kiosk and trail head.

A quiet area of woods and wetlands on the shore of Wampatuck Pond.

More information at: https://www.nsrwa.org/

FEATURES

Hanson’s first conservation area (1938), this property was formerly known as “Poor Farm.” It is managed by the Town Forest Committee. Overcrowded trees are harvested selectively to improve the long term health of the forest.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION

The approximately 1-mile trail network is unmarked, but relatively easy to follow. Some paths are wide, others are narrow, but all are well-trodden with few obstacles. A portion of the Bay Circuit Trail, blazed in white, runs through this property. There is a trailhead on Route 58, across the street from the Indian Head School. Look for the informational kiosk. (Park at the sports complex, immediately adjacent to the trailhead.) Trail access is also available at the end of the residential street known as Indian Trail.

HABITATS AND WILDLIFE

The forest is located directly on Wampatuck Pond. The 62-acre pond is manmade, and Indian Head Brook, a tributary to the Indian Head River, flows through it. In the woods, you will find pine and oak, as well as maple, beech and holly trees, and also and a shockingly large yellow birch! Other plant life includes ferns and mayflowers.