Hiking Beach Pond

Sitting directly on the RI/CT line lays Beach Pond State Park. Beach Pond has the distinction of being the only pond in RI that does not open on the second weekend of April for fishing like every other stocked pond, instead fishing is allowed when CT has opening day. Hiking on the Rhode Island side of the pond offers a variety of breathtaking views.

Beach Pond Trail

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Beach Pond State Park is located in Exeter, Rhode Island and Voluntown, Connecticut.

Parking is located in a small parking lot directly off route 165 (Ten Rod Road), or across the street at a better maintained parking area that was intended for Beach Pond.

The pond is split by route 165 which was built over the pond. The southern and northern halves run perpendicular to the RI/CT state lines. Each half has a bank in RI and a bank in CT. The southern half of the pond has a trail that circles 2/3 of the pond and is a beautiful hike.

The trail difficulty is moderate due to the narrowness of the trail and the steep inclines. It can be hiked in less than 2 hours.

The trail is a narrow walking path that runs through the hardwoods and pine woods. It follows the edge of the pond and climbs a beautiful rocky bluff directly overlooking the pond. From here the path continues along the edge, there are fishing areas through here and it is reported that small mouth bass can still be caught here.

Rocky Outcropping

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The trail veers away from the pond and cuts through some small rocky ridges in the woods. It crosses a private road and continues through the woods until it meets route 165 in CT. Hikers will then have to walk on route 165 back to the parking area.

Rocky Hill

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer, I hate hiking on roads. This is one of the only trails that I turn around at the private road and track back to the parking area.

This hike will take hikers around a beautiful pond with a spectacular bluff overlooking it. There is a perfect place along the trail to take dogs and let them swim in the sandy-bottomed clear water. Get out and enjoy!

Crawley Preserve

In Richmond, RI down a dirt drive off Glen Rock Road lies 100 acres of preserved land called Crawley Preserve. The land was donated to The Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust in the early 2000’s by the Crawley family. It is a fun place to walk or hike with the family or a dog.

There are 4 trails Crawley, Box Turtle, Brook and Red Fox Trail. The trails range from 4 feet wide to single walking paths. The footing is packed earth, gravel, grasses and some rocks. The trail does climb to 200 feet.

Crawley Trail Map

Photo Courtesy Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust

 

The longest hike is 2 miles. It is a combination of Brook Trail and Crawley Trail.

The Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust manages the preserve and has built 2 bridges to go over a small stream that weaves through the preserve.

For more information on the Richmond Rural Land Trust see earlier post Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust

Hiking Meadowbrook in the Carolina Management Area

Looking for a local trail teeming with wildlife and a diverse mix of hardwoods, pinewoods and fields? The trails throughout the Meadowbrook portion of Carolina Management area may be the answer. The cultivated fields around and throughout Meadowbrook are full of turkeys, butterflies and the occasional red tailed hawk.

Trail Map

Courtesy Google Maps

This trail will take approximately 1-1 ½ hour(s) to complete. The trail footing is gravel, sand, packed earth, roots, creek bed and grass fields. Plan on wet feet if taking the trail after a hard rain.

There is tall grassy areas so hikers are advised to wear long, light colored clothing and insect repellant to try to ward off ticks. Don’t forget the dog. Make sure the dog is up to date on all flea and tick prevention methods.

This area is accessed from Pine Hill Road in Richmond, RI. I usually park at the red barn to get walking on the road out of the way. From the parking lot at the red barn walk right on Pine Hill Road to the next parking area on the same side.

Trail Footing

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

From here walk through the larger parking area and hit the trail. Here the trail is mostly pines and is wide. This area abounds with lady slippers.

Lady Slippers

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The trail connects with another trail ignore the trail on the right and stay on the main trail. From here the trail turns to hardwoods and passes a historical cemetery with a stone bench.

Take the first right after the cemetery and proceed down a hill to a creek. Follow along the creek to the trail begins to climb. In this area a few walking trails cross the path, stay on the main path. The path slowly climbs up and levels out at a large field.

Mixed-Use Field

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

 

The field has mixed-use, corn and turf. Here the grass can be very tall. Follow the edge of the field to a trailhead. This trail cuts through a small hemlock grove. The footing is sandy and can have running water at times.

Hemlock Grove

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Take the first right and follow this trail through cultivated fields. Keep your eyes up and look for  hawks and other birds in trees on the edges of these fields. Turkeys can also be spotted in the fields.

Butterfly in Field

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The fields give way to pine woods and ends at the red barn.

Good luck and enjoy a walk on this trail.

Hiking Browning Mill Pond in Arcadia State Park

In the southern half of Arcadia State Park in Exeter, Rhode Island lies Browning Mill Pond, also called Arcadia Pond by some. The Pond is located on Arcadia Road close to where Arcadia Road meets Route 165. The parking area is large and can accommodate many vehicles.

 

Browning Mill Pond

 

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

 

The pond is approximately 50 acres and takes about an hour to hike around. The far end of the pond has a dam that is a great place to stop and rest and take in the scenery and wildlife.

The footing is fairly easy and has packed earth some gravel, a boulder section and foot bridges through swampy areas. It has slight inclines.

The trail surrounds the whole pond.

School of Fish in Stream

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The pond is home to diverse wildlife including, red-winged blackbirds, geese, wood ducks, pickerel, pumpkin seed, bass and is stocked with trout.

Spider Web

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

There are many picnic tables around the pond, including tables on the old beach.

On the far side of the pond lies the dismantled fish hatchery. It is now home to a diverse ecosystem and  local wildlife.

 

Disbanded Hatchery

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

A hike around Browning Mill is great hike to take with children, dogs and for days when there isn’t enough time or energy to do a more difficult hike. Get outside and explore this hidden gem for yourself.

Hiking Breakheart Loop Trail

Looking for a diverse trail that offers steep inclines, rocky footing and beautiful scenery of hardwoods? If so, Breakheart Loop Trail may be a great trail to try. The trail is located on the north half of Arcadia State Park in West Greenwich, RI.

Breakheart Loop Hiking Trail

Great Swamp Press Map

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The trail takes approximately 4 hours. It crosses creeks that eventually feed into the Wood River. It borders Camp E-Hun-Tee and Alton Jones Campus.

Hill

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All rights Reserved

The trail rambles through mostly hardwood forests but there are pine woods dotted throughout and fields of blueberry bushes.

Field of Blueberry Bushes

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The footing is smooth at times; it can get a little “swampy” in some areas and goes up and down like a roller coaster. None of the hills are particularly challenging but there are many of them.

Drive down Frosty Hollow Road and take a left at the end onto Austin Farm Road. Take the first right and park at the beginning of the Shelter Trail.

Then, walk along Austin Farm Road to Matteson Plain. It will be the old dirt road that was at the end of Frosty Hollow Road.

Walk up Matteson Plain and take the second left. That is the beginning of Breakheart Loop Trail. There are connecting trail throughout this trail. Generally, staying right will keep you on the trail.

Follow the trail back to Austin Farm Road (note that this road is open to vehicular traffic), or try taking some of the shelter trails, or Penny Hill trail back to the car (for those who hate hiking dirt roads).

Arcadia State Park: North section

 North Section of Arcadia State Park

Photo Courtesy Google Maps

Arcadia State Park located in southwestern RI encompasses approximately 14,000 acres in Exeter, West Greenwich, Richmond and Hopkinton. The park is the largest management area in RI. The park is bisected into north and south sections by Route 165.

This post is covering the north section located in Exeter and West Greenwich. The area includes Escoheag, Mt. Tom, Breakheart Pond, J B Hudson Trail and Reynolds Horseman’s area.

 

Activities in this area include hunting, fishing, trail riding, dog training, hiking, mountain biking, camping (with a permit), climbing, kayaking and canoeing.

There is hunting allowed in the area and fluorescent orange should be worn during required times.

Climbing activities are usually done at the Escoheag and Mt. Tom areas.

For dog walkers and workers there is a training area complete with water fountain, pavilion and picnic tables.

There are numerous streams and creeks that run through the area that are stocked trout waters. They can only be fished during RI’s fishing season. Frosty HollowPond located on Frosty Hollow Road is a pond created specifically for children under 14 to fish. During fishing season only children 14 and under may fish the pond. The waters are stocked with rainbow, brook and brown trout. Bass, bluegill and pickerel are all commonly found in Breakheart Pond.

Frosty Hollow Pond Drained

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The trails range from dirt roads, old unused dirt roads, wide walking paths and hiking paths. The footing is gravel, grass, roots, creek beds and packed earth.

Bees Nest Located on Trail Around Breakheart Pond

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

For the mountain biker there is J B Hudson Trail (see earlier post for an in depth trail report) and any one of the numerous trails that crisscross the area. The trails can range from beginner to intermediate. Due to the size of the area and the number of trails, a trail map is recommended.

There is plenty of parking for horse trailers. The Reynolds Horseman’s Area has an outdoor ring for working a horse. Prohibited activities in the area include, but are not limited to turning out a horse in the cemetery and ring. No tying horses to trees and no temporarily nailing fencing to trees. Most of the trails are cleared and heavily used by trail riders. There is the occasional low hanging limb to look out for. The ramp located at Breakheart Pond is a great place to stop and let the horse drink and wade in the water.

The north section of Arcadia state park offers many activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Take the family, friends, dog or horse and go explore this unique part of southern RI.

Black Farm Management Area: A History of Owners

Black Farm Management Area in Hopkinton, RI incorporates over 200 years of New England agricultural history. Today, hikers, hunters and trail riders enjoy rambling through the scenic trails; however, 150 years ago it was a growing, working and changing farm much like many farms in and around southern RI.

 

To the north of the farm house is a cemetery. It contains 20 headstones of slate and granite, many bearing the names of former owners and occupants. Included in the cemetery are former owners Isaac and Mary Collins and their children.

 

 Collins Cemetery at Black Farm

Photo Peter Mair II of Wilbur Smith & Associates

 

In 1710, a Quaker named John Collins from Westerly, along with 6 other persons purchased 3,000 acres of undeveloped land in what is now known as Hopkinton. John Collins’ share of the purchase was 450 acres that ran along Wood River.

 

Upon John Collins’ death his several sons inherited his land.  His grandson, Nathan Collins inherited a 46 acre parcel. It was here that he and his wife Tabatha erected the first dwelling on what is now considered Black Farm.

 

In 1817 Nathan Collins sold the property to his cousin Isaac for $450. Isaac and his wife Mary were to become the predominant owners of the farm who used it for agricultural purposes. They are also buried on the property in the Collins Cemetery.

 

Isaac was a local doctor who practiced in Richmond, RI. He and his wife Mary had 13 children. It is during this time historians believe the ell was added to the main farmhouse to accommodate the large family.

 

Black Farm Farmhouse with Ell 

Photo Roberta Randall of RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

 

Isaac Collins increased his holdings by purchasing adjacent parcels. At the time of his death in 1841, the farm had been increased to 197 acres; 182 acres in pasture, cultivation, and orchard, and 15 acres of wood lot. Isaac also built a corn-crib and one-and-one-half story barn.

 

Isaac Collins’ son, Thomas inherited one-third of his father’s land and purchased another third from his brother. He increased the farm size to 200 acres, but a large portion was left unfarmed. It was during this period that many local farms were decreasing in size as cereal crops were declining in the east, and growing rapidly in the west. Thomas concentrated his efforts on milk production, wool and gardening to supplement his decline in cereal crops.

 

Upon Thomas’ death in 1896 the farm was almost exclusively used for lumber. He willed his estate to a cousin, James H. Collins. Thomas raised James and gave him a home. A year after receiving the estate James Collins sold the property to Peter D. Palmer, a Hopkinton attorney, for $10.00.

 

Soon the property was sold back to the Collins family when John Collins purchased it and continued the lumber operations.

 

After WWII, the property was farmed and occupied on a seasonal basis. A barn from an adjacent farm was moved onto the property and the home and outbuildings were kept in good repair. 1200 feet to the north of the farmhouse is the foundation of a building said to have been used as an ice house. The ice was harvested from Plain Pond. Plain Pond is a naturally occurring kettle pond on the property.

 

 Black Farm Outbuildings Including Chicken Coop, Barn & Playhouse

Photo Roberta Randall of RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

 

In 1956, John Collins’ son, Arthur Collins sold the property to local poultry farmers Joseph and Anna Russo.

 

The property was acquired in 1964 by Mrs. Margaret McCormack Black. The Blacks sold the farm to the state of Rhode Island in 1991 to be used as open space. The remaining farmhouse and outbuildings were set aside for private ownership and have since been restored.

 

Beneath the surface beauty of the Black Farm management area lies 200 years of southern RI agricultural history. Enjoy the trails and explore the old foundations that dot the woods throughout the area. Take in the kettle pond and imagine it being harvested for ice during cold winter days. Black Farm offers a unique RI experience that incorporates local history with modern recreation. Explore and experience all that Black Farm has to offer.
Photo courtesy Google Maps

Hiking and Trail Riding at Black Farm Management Area in Hopkinton Rhode Island

Black Farm is a unique gem in Hopkinton RI. It encompasses the desires of the modern hiker or trail rider along with over 200 years of southern RI farm history. It is rich in natural splendor and the sounds of native wildlife.

Black Farm is approximately 245 acres of state land located on the east side of Woodville Alton Road. There is a parking lot directly off Woodville Alton that allows access to the trails that intertwine the acreage.

The land borders Sweet Valley Estates, an abandoned railroad trestle, 2 miles of Wood River, Woodville Alton Road and private property. It was set aside in 1995 as state land. Walking, hiking, trail riding, hunting and dog training are all permitted in this area.

It contains mixed forests of evergreens and hardwoods, oaks maples, white pine and pitch pine. It is home to various species of native animals including, otters, raccoons, and all kinds of waterfowl. The unique mix of fields, swamps and the river system makes for a diverse ecosystem.

Blue dragonflies dotting Plain Pond

The land includes a kettle pond, called Plain Pond. It is a shallow, naturally occurring kettle pond. It is a great place to bring the dog for a swim as the bottom is mostly sand, not mud. This is a convenience for those who want to take the dog for a walk but don’t want mucky puppies in the car.

The land is also interspersed with small streams that feed the swamps and eventually Wood River. There are small walking bridges over each stream enabling the hiker to keep their feet dry.

After visiting the pond walk along the abandoned railroad trestle to the pillars on Wood River. This is where the train crossed the river at one time. It is a great spot to stop, have a snack or view the river.

There is also a historic cemetery that includes members of each owner’s family dating back to 1755.

Most of the trails are old roads and trestles so they are fairly wide and easy to walk. There are a few hills, but nothing strenuous.

The parking area is fairly small, but will accommodate most horse trailers. The footing is mixed sand and hardwoods. The bridges are NOT horse safe. Expect to wade through the few streams. The trails are mainly used by hikers and have low hanging limbs. Around the pond the trails widen and are perfect for cantering. Along the river there is a cleared field and sandy trail that are great for working a horse while enjoying the view of Wood River.

Take the family, the dog or horse and treat yourself to a unique walk through Black Farm.

To find out more about the history behind Black Farm including its owners and historical importance read my next post on Friday April 19th.

Why Rural Rhode Island Living?

Since this is an early post I wanted to introduce people to myself and where I live. I am a lifelong resident of Richmond, RI. I grew up on the Wood River and currently live upriver from my parents.

At the age of 23, I was the program director for a therapeutic riding center in Ashaway, RI. As a business leader in the community I saw first hand the support, kindness and collaboration there was amongst the residents of southern RI. It made me appreciate living here and want to shine a light on this community to others.

On weekends I walk, hike, bike and ride the trails that crisscross the woods in this part of the state. I still love the feeling of finding a new trail or back road, and I am still discovering them. That is one of the best parts of being a real estate agent, I have a reason to travel down roads that most people drive past.

As a resident I fully understand why people live here and why they want to move here. For some it is the dream of a new home set back in the woods, others want a historic home with a barn to try their hand at farming, horse owners want land to graze their horses on with nearby trails that are great for riding, and some want to live where they grew up.

Whatever your motives rural southern RI can meet your needs and I can guide you through the home-buying process.

This blog is intended to show residents, non-residents and future residents all this area has to offer. It will cover local events, people, residential information, weather, programs and of course local housing trends and the properties and homes that are on the market or have been on the market.