Location: Mill St, Amherst, MA (about half an hour north of Springfield, MA and an hour and a half southwest of Boston, MA)
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Cost: Free
Parking: There is a designated parking area for handicapped accessible vehicles. All other vehicles should park on the side of the road on the right hand side of the road. There is room for a dozen or more cars to park on this road.
Handicapped Accessible: Yes. There is a paved path and designated parking for handicapped accessible vehicles.
Dog Friendly: No. But, dogs are allowed on the Robert Frost trail that circles the pond.
Once the site of a village inhabited by the Norwottuck tribe, Puffer’s Pond (also known as Factory Hollow Pond, is now a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts, nature lovers and hikers.
Puffer’s Pond is a small yet charming pond. It is only 11 acres large and the water is an average depth of 5 feet deep with a maximum depth of more than 20 feet.
There are several access points to the pond. The easiest most straightforward way to the pond is to park on Mill St and enter through the main entrance on that street. There is also an access point farther up on Mill St with a wooden walkway.
The pond is home to herons, mallards, turtles, frogs, a variety of birds and an otter or two among other animals.
Walking through the park, we noticed a disturbance in the water and a head peaking above the water.
It appears to be an otter because when the mammal dove back under water the tail didn’t look like a beaver’s tail.
The views from Puffer’s Pond are beautiful.
The pond is also a great place to fish. This particular fisherman didn’t have any luck (score one for the fish!). Better luck next time.
However, this fisherman had better luck.
Or, you can go there to look out on the pond with a special someone.
The Robert Frost Trail, a 47 mile trail that runs from the Connecticut River in South Hadley,MA to Wendell State Forest in Wendell, MA, runs past Puffer’s Pond. Although it is a very long trail, the section of the trail that runs past the pond is very short (about .8 miles each way). While dogs are not allowed in Puffer’s Pond they are allowed on the walking trails around the pond.
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Located in the center of town inconspicuously on the side of the road, Leverett Pond (also known as Echo Lake) is a 100 plus acre pond with amazing views and abundant wildlife. In fact, the wildlife is so abundant it threatens the pond itself. Beavers, specifically, seem to be clogging the dam at the nothern end. It costs the organization $20,000 to fix this issue and they do not receive funding from the town. So, the organization relies solely on donations. But, still, the Friend of Leverett Pond are keep working to solve this problem.
Despite the ecological issues they may face, the pond still looks beautiful.
The pond is popular with boaters and fishing enthusiasts. I saw two boats in the pond during the short time I was there.
During the winter, the pond is used by skaters.
While there were signs of wildlife, I was only able to see some fish in the water and a bird.
While the lake is a gem itself, one of the hidden treasures is the poetry box located on a tree by the lake. If you weren’t looking for it you might just miss it. Just to the left of the boat launch, the box is attached to a tree.
Inside the box sits a binder with poems, stories and memories left behind by visitors. There are also a few pencils in the box for people to leave their thoughts and poems. Some of the poems dated back to 2012. It was not only nice to see this collection of art. It was also nice to see it has been preserved and no one has stolen or disturbed the poetry box.
Behind the tree is a table for people to sit and read the binder or write their own addition to the binder. The poems and other writings ranged from the comedic to the serious. Some were written by children. Others were written by older people. Sometimes you could not tell who wrote the poem or what age they were.
Whether you’re a fisherman or fisherwoman, a boater or a poet, Leverett Pond is the perfect to spend the day.
Often considered the jewel of Westfield, Massachusetts, Stanley Parkis one of the prettiest parks in Western Massachusetts and it looks even more picturesque after a snowfall.
Due to the recent cold spell and snow, the pond and much of the vegetation at Stanley Park had been iced over so they were eager to get some food. As a disclaimer, most parks do not encourage you to feed birds. But, if you do, there are certain foods you should never feed to ducks. Bread is the biggest no-no on most list. These are some better foods to feed to birds.
At any rate, visitors like to feed the birds at Stanley Park and that gave me an usually good chance to photograph some beautiful ducks.
There were so many birds congregating at the pond waiting for a nibble of food.
Luckily, one of the visitors at the park, Jim, brought some food for the hungry birds.
Jim’s dog took the birds in stride.
I have photographed Stanley Park before and, since it is very close to my mom’s house, I always try to make a visit out there as often as I can.So, you may sees posts about this park from time to time.
Stanley Park, or Stanley as it is more commonly known as, is a popular spot for dogs like Sansa is a 5 month old Siberian Husky.
I am always surprised at how some of the more beautiful areas to visit seem to be tucked away in the most unlikely places. It’s almost as though they are meant to be kept a secret for just the few people who are adventurous enough to find it. Such is the case with Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary. Tucked away on a busy side street in the otherwise sleepy town of Pittsfield, MA, Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary (ironically, you can’t launch a canoe or any watercraft there) is a haven for birds, the occasional water faring mammal or amphibian and beautiful flowers.
The paths at Canoe Meadows are clearly defined and there are benches, bridges and boardwalks along the trail.
What stood out most to me about Canoe Meadows are the colorful plants and flowers and the trees. The colors of the plants are so vibrant and the trees are nothing short of majestic. I love the mix of pink, purple, white and yellow flowers as you can probably tell by my photos.
There are also a lot of bees at Canoe Meadows pollinating this time of the year. There is a bee inside this flower. You may be able to barely see the bees sticking outside of the flower.
There are plenty of birds at Canoe Meadows. They do like to hide. So it is hard to get good photos of them.
I spotted this heron as he was flying away. I just wish I saw the bird earlier.
I also saw this chipmunk, one of the more common residents of the meadow.
There were also lots of frogs at the meadow.
Unfortunately, I did not see any of the otters, beavers and other critters that are said to inhabit this meadow (although I did see evidence of their existence there). If you go early in the day or are very quiet, you may have better luck. Good luck if you do try!
Trails:
Tues-Sun, & Mon holidays, dawn to dusk
Closed Mondays
Cost:
(MA Audubon) Members: Free
Nonmembers:
$5 Adults
$4 Children (2-12)
$4 Seniors (65+)
Parking: There are about 50 0r so parking spaces in the parking lot
Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Size: 9 miles of trails
Time To Allot For Visit: 2 to 3 hours
Highlights: abundant wildlife, clearly defined trails, lookouts and bridges, several pond areas
Lowlights: One of the ponds (Little Farm Pond) is only accessible via motor vehicle and is not accessible from the sanctuary, according to one of the staff workers at the sanctuary
From the moment I drove into the parking lot for Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary (a MASS Audubon sanctuary), I could tell it was going to be a special place. The pretty trees and stocks of grass reminded me of some rural, country farm.
The 10 trails at Broadmoor are fairly easy to negotiate (the Charles River Loop is probably the most challenging). There are a few trails that cross over ponds and marsh land.
Overall, the trails are easy with a few moderately difficult trails such as The Charles River Loop. The trail on the Charles River Loop is somewhat narrow in some places and it can be hard to follow the trail (look for the yellow and blue marked trees).
There was a lot of activity, such as turtles, in the ponds. Can you spot the turtles in this photo? There are three.
What if I get closer?
How about now?
Broadmoor is teeming with wildlife. I found these critters during my hike.
There is also a lookout area where you can sit and look out upon the pond where I found this heron hiding.
There is a lot to see at Broadmoor. There are lots of turtles, butterflies, birds and evidence of other wildlife.
I found this beautiful swan as I was walking along the park.
All that swimming and looking for food can make you tired. So, she decided to take a nap.
There are also beautiful views of the park. The flowers, plants and trees make for a beautiful backdrop.
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect visitors of all ages (I even saw some visitors in strollers). It can be buggy but, as lucky would have it, that won’t be a problem for much longer in New England as fall descends upon us.
Location: Dorrs Pond is part of Livingston Park which is located at 244 Hookset Rd, Manchester, NH (off Daniel Webster Highway)
Hours: Open 24 hours (use your best judgment if you go at nighttime)
Cost: Free
Parking: There are about 70 or so parking spots by Dorrs Pond. There is also additional parking by the play area and field by Livingston Park.
Dog Friendly: Yes
Size: 1.2 mile loop with some short side trails.
Time To Allot For Visit: 1 or 2 hours
Fun For One: Yes
Highlights: abundant wildlife, popular trails for runner, cyclists and walkers, pretty views, very well maintained, benches for sitting, skating on the pond during the winter
Lowlights: short loop (only 1.2 mile) so many runners have to complete the loop several times to get a good workout, some side trails end abruptly at parking lots or just stop without going anywhere
Once an artificial pond to serve the people of Manchester, Dorrs Pond now serves a scenic retreat for cyclists, runners, nature lovers and dogs.
“hidden gem” is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot. But, the photos below will show how this description is apt for Dorrs Pond. In fact, I, and many people I talked to about it, had never been to this pond or ever even heard about before I went there.
One of the great things about Dorrs Pond is it is not a particularly difficult trail. The trails are Dorrs Pond are pretty level with a few small inclines
The views at Dorrs Pond are beautiful. Vivid greens and a variety of green, purple and other vibrant colors dot the landscape.
One of the best parts of Dorrs Pond is the wildlife. There is a variety of birds, amphibians and other animals at the pond.
I also found this interesting shelter. Unfortunately, no one was home.
During the winter, skating is allowed on the pond. Also, there is a play area, playing field, restrooms and pool for children (and some adults) in addition to Dorrs Pond at Livingston Park.
Doors Pond is a great place to bring your dog. The trail is not too long and the inclines are not very steep. And it was a perfect day for taking your pooch out for a stroll. I saw lots of dogs at Dorrs Pond. Here are a few of the cute dogs at the park Sunday:
Location: 428 North St, Feeding Hills (Agawam), MA
Cost: $8 for MA vehicle, $10 for non-MA vehicle
Parking: There are about 50 parking spots in the park itself at various designated parking areas. There are also several entrances besides the actual entrance to the park where you can park for free but there are gates at these entrances and you have to walk rather than drive to the beach and fields in the park.
Time To Allot For Visit: 3 to 4 hours to hike the entire park
Size of the park: 800 acres, 5 miles of frontage on the Westfield River
Dog Friendly: Yes
Highlights: walking trails, stream, beach, picnic area, fields, lots of wildlife, great for bikers, joggers, walkers and dogs
Known for its abundant wildlife, long paved trail and scenic views of the Westfield River, Robinson State Park is one of my favorite parks to visit. I love the paved, winding trail and abundant wildlife. I have jogged the main trail hundreds, if not thousands, of times. The wide paved trail is wide enough to accommodate joggers, bikers, walkers and even vehicles (cars are allowed on the main paved trail during the summer months only).
About a mile or a little more than a mile from the main entrance there is a small beach next to a grassy area for people to relax and sun themselves. If you’re lucky, you may even see a tadpole.
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One thing to keep in mind is there are a lot of bugs in the area. Since it is located by a stream of water, bugs and mosquitoes are a real problem, especially during the summer months. So, either cover up or use bug spray if you plan on hiking the various trails. Another downside to the park, if you want to call it that, is that some trails just seem to end…right in people’s backyards. This happened on two of the side trails I ventured on. No biggie. You just turn around and come back the way you came. But it can be anticlimactic and annoying (for the homeowner as much as it would be for you).
The Westfield River runs along the paved trail giving off some pretty views. There are some side trails you can use to get a better view.
There is a pond just down the trail from the beach. I heard lots of frogs, toads and other wildlife in the pond but they are pretty well hidden.
Robinson Park is also teeming with wildlife. In fact, Westfield, one of the cities the park borders, is known for its black squirrels. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any during my visit or at least none that I could photograph. But, there were plenty of other animals visible at the park the days I visited.
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There is also a pond and a variety of trees, plants, flowers and berries along the trails.
The trails are well defined and there are a number of bridges at the park.
Because it has such a wide main trail and lots of area to roam, Robinson Park is a great place to walk your dog and I ran into quite a few cute dogs during my visits.
Oliver is an 11 year old Collie and Chow mix.
Josie is a 9 year old Cocker Spaniel.
And Bruno is a 2 year old Shepherd and Lab mix rescue.
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As the name suggests, there are lots of birds to watch at Francis William Bird Park. Either there are lots of robins at the park or I photographed the same one over and over.
There are more than birds at the park to catch your attention.
Such as trees and flowers
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the ponds and streams
and the bridges (each bridge is made slightly differently)
The trails are easy and branch off to side trails. But, since it is all concentrated in one area it is hard to get lost there.
The tree below was planted in memory of Charles Sumner Bird, a paper manufacturer, candidate for governor of Massachusetts, resident of Walpole MA and the son of William Francis Bird.
Tip of the day; don’t get too close to a goose and his or her Cheetos.
You’re not supposed to feed the birds at William Francis (and you’re especially not supposed to feed them Cheetos). It’s not good for them physically and it creates more messes on the trail. But, of course, people still do.
Along the trails, there are benches and places to enjoy the outdoors. Or, you can just chill on a rock or log. There is also a restroom (open seasonly)
Charlot (pronounced Char-lo) is a local (local to Walpole) artist, storyteller and cultural and historical expert. He specializes in Haitian art and culture. He likes to go to the park to paint and relax. He was kind enough to let me photograph him painting. He calls the first painting Silhouette Of The Drum. he was also touching up a painting he had finished previously.
Charlot is very talented. You can find out more about him here.
There are also a variety of attractions for sportsmen and sportswomen. The trails make for great running surfaces. There are four tennis courts as well as a basketball backboard (but not a court) . There are also musical and other types of events during the summer by the main field.
Birds aren’t the only animals you will find at Francis William Bird Park. The park is also popular spot for dogs. The trails and open spaces make it a great place to take your pooch.
Henry is a 3 year old Basset Hound. Cute freckles on his left front paw!
Sophia is a 5 year old Newfoundland. Sophia reminded me of a Newfoundland we had. Beautiful dog.
Buddha is a 3 month old Hound mix. I love the eyebrows!
Driving home from Balance Rock State Park, I happened upon Lake Onota This is what is so great about New England, and really any area of the country. You can find the most beautiful places at the most unexpected moments.
A popular fishing spot, Lake Onota is a 617 acre pond located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It flows into the Housatonic River which eventually drains into Long Island Sound. Fishermen and women and boaters flock to Lake Onota for the bass, trout, walleye and crappie (yes they even fish for crappie fish).
A roadway bisects the lake. Of course, typical of New England weather, while it was very cloudy on one side, the other side had nary a cloud.
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Dogs like Lake Onota as well. I met Becca, a happy 9 year old golden retriever,there.
Although the area is mostly known for being the home of the New England Patriots and its adjacent marketplace, Patriot Place has another impressive attraction – The Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog. Admission to the trail and bog is free and the parking is ample evident by the photo below. You can also park in the lots in front of the store and walk down to the trail.
From the entrance the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog greets you with a charming sitting area and pretty trees.
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Although most of the vegetation is dead (save for a few stubborn blueberries and cranberries), a thin layer of ice covered most of the pond and the trees are bare this time of the year, the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog at Patriot Place in Foxboro, MA, is just as beautiful in the winter as it is during the summertime.
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Located directly behind the expansive Bass Pro Shop, the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog is a .5 mile loop with a 3 percent grade and some inclines as much as 12 percent.
It is a mostly dirty trail with a few boardwalks and bridges. There are two benches in the middle of the first walking bridge. Overall, it is an easy to semi-moderate trail. I saw people of all age groups handle the trail, inclines and all, with little difficulty.
I found this strange, creepy looking branch or alien arm protruding from the ice.
An extra bonus for any Patriots fan is you can see Gillette Stadium (the stadium the Patriots play in) from the main road on the way to the Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog. You can also catch a quick glimpse of some of the stadium from the entrance to trail and bog.
After finishing the loop, I met Chandler, a beautiful 6 year old tri-colored English Setter (thank you for the clarification, Adam).
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