FARNSWORTH RESERVATION
Walking trails through woodlands, past vernal pools and sedge meadow.
The Farnsworth Reservation is adjacent to Town Farm, forming a greenbelt with a state agricultural preservation restriction on Smolak Farm, state wetlands alongside Bruin Hill, and town conservation land. Look for vernal pools, sedge meadow.
Follow the Greenbelt marker signs, turning right over an old stone wall and across a bog bridge to head to the southerly section of Farnsworth. Complete the loop before returning over the bog bridge. Please be sure to respect private property signs while exploring, as some trails here leave the reservation.
Several vernal pools can be found along the trails here. These ephemeral pools of water form as snow melts and then dry up most summers. Fairy shrimp spend their life in vernal pools, laying eggs that can survive the winter. Other animals such as salamanders and wood frogs live in the upland areas near vernal pools, visiting the pools only to breed.