An agreement has been reached between landowners and the Midstate Trail Committee to reopen the closed section of the trail along Lovett Road in Oxford. Please follow these requirement in the agreement. The trail is for hikers only. There is NO parking on Lovett Rd for hikers. There is parking at the Market Basket on Sutton Ave in Oxford. There is NO parking on MassWildlife property. Hikers must stay on the trail. Please be respectful of the agreement. Thank you.
MassWildlife has informed us that overnight camping and fires are no longer allowed at the Moose Hill Shelter.
They also say if overnight use and campfires continue at that location, they may move to take out the shelter. Thank you for you understanding and cooperation with this issue…
From Ed Faron, Midstate Trail Supervisor:
This afternoon I visited and walked the Midstate Trail north of Bond Street with the owner of the land who showed me “the hiker trip wire”., It is actually A THIN YELLOW STRAND OF ELECTRIC DOG FENCING, which is flush to the ground and has been stepped over and on by hundreds of hikers for the past several years.The first strip of dog fencing is at the edge of the lawn in the gravel area and the next strip is embedded into the lawn. The land at 7 and 9 Bond Street is located in Leicester and not in Spencer.
When hiking in Westminster use Oakmont Ave. to bypass Whitmanville Rd. The bridge crossing the Whitman river is under reconstruction and it is impossible to cross on foot.
We have been asked by the owners at the Spencer Country Inn on Route 9 to not park on their property. Thank you for your cooperation. There is parking available across the street at the former courthouse.
The Legacy Church also known as First Baptist Church of Sutton is no longer allowing parking for hikers. The church has events lined up for the summer including weddings, and also the Sutton Little League is using the field on some Saturdays and Sundays. Thank you for your cooperation.
North County Land Trust announced Tuesday that it has acquired 15.81 acres in Westminster, named North Common Road Conservation Area, that will protect three-quarters of a mile of the Midstate Trail in perpetuity, according to a release from the conservation group.
The section of the Midstate Trail protected by this acquisition runs parallel to North Common Road from the train overpass on Oakmont Avenue (locally known as Graffiti Bridge), to the edge of the property owned by the Westminster Business Park.
Great news!!! North County Land Trust (NCLT) has recently purchased over 200 acres of land on the south slope of Mount Watatic adding to existing conserved lands blanketing the mountain. This acquisition is part of a land protection effort supported by local and state partners and generous donors. Located just south of the New Hampshire border in Ashby and Ashburnham Massachusetts, Mount Watatic rises 1,800’ above sea level. Due to its proximity to Boston, spectacular views, and the confluence of the Midstate and Wapack Trails, the mountain is a popular destination for hikers, hawk watchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Do you have time to help out on the Midstate Trail? The Midstate is looking for help to volunteer on the trail. There are various opportunities from adopting a section or just helping out on a project. Training is provided for adopters. Come on out and meet new people and learn new skills. It’s not all that hard. We’ll have some fun and interesting trail work days building bog bridges, moving some big rocks, as well as general trail maintenance. NO experience necessary! If you have time and would like to help on the Midstate Trail, please contact Don for more information
The newly constructed bridge off East Hill Road in Rutland was dedicated in memory of Francis L Raboin who loved hiking these woods. Thanks to the family for their generous donation to construct the bridge and those who helped to build it.
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