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A small park on 4.4 acres lies adjacent to the historic Hosmer House. Used for passive recreation, the park has paths, a bridge, a pond and benches. It is also used on the Fourth of July for the Craft Fair. Dedicated in 1975. A September 11th Memorial has bronze plaques naming the three Sudbury residents who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Highway Garage
275 Old Lancaster Road
Sudbury, MA
01776

This 80-acre parcel of wetland, floodplain, meadow, and forest was purchased by the Town of Sudbury from the Sudbury Rod and Gun Club in 1967. It offers a varied habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal life. The site features multiple trails and a scenic pond. In addition, the parcel contains beautiful wildflowers, interesting mushrooms, and forest groundcovers. Due to the varied habitat types, the property is vibrant with both aquatic and terrestrial life. Numerous bird species such as blue heron, osprey, owls, and hawks may be seen fishing in the marsh and pond. Many other bird species dwell in the oak-pine forest.

Winter sports enthusiasts may skate on the pond (at your own risk), snowshoe, and cross-country ski on the trails that connect to other open space areas.

The link below is an informational video about Hop Brook Marsh Conservation Land made as a community service project in September 2010 by a Sudbury Girl Scout.

Parking

A small gravel parking lot is available on Dutton Rd, just south of Amanda Road. Look for the trail sign.

Historical Information

There are indications that the Native American population used fishing weirs at numerous places on Hop Brook before white settlers arrived. As a tributary of the much larger Sudbury River, the brook played a crucial role in the development of the Town of Sudbury from its very early settlement. From that time and into the 18th century, Sudbury was on the perimeter of the western expansion of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The area was wilderness, isolated from civilization because of the slowness of horse-drawn travel, and also because of the formidable spring flooding of the Sudbury River. The inhabitants had to become self-sufficient to survive, develop, and prosper.

The supply of waterpower for mill operation was a major function of Hop Brook for several centuries. Local establishment of mills was essential for the grinding of grains, sawing and planing of wood, and processing of cloth. The Sudbury River was not suitable for the siting of mills because of the broad wet meadows that surround it. A major tributary, Hop Brook, was chosen instead. At least seven mill sites, under numerous proprietors, were established along the 9.4 miles of Hop Brook. The last of the mills operated until the middle of the 20th century. All the mill buildings on Hop Brook are gone.  However, if one looks carefully, the old mill sites may be found by their remaining dams, spillways, and stonework. Old photographs, deeds, and written records still survive.

Another indispensable function of the brook was the supply of water to the farming population, their stock, and their crops. This contributed to making Sudbury one of the largest towns in the area before and during the Revolutionary War.

Winter sports enthusiasts may snowshoe and cross-country ski on the trails that connect to other open space areas. 

Trail Challenges

The main trails at Hop Brook Marsh are wide, flat, and well established. There are some tree roots on the minor trails. A slightly slope exists on the end of the trail past the Duck Pond near Hop Brook.

Trail Connections During the Eversource Transmission Line Project

For the next 18-24 months, the Eversource Transmission Line which runs adjacent to Hop Brook Conservation Land will be under construction. During this time, the rail bed corridor will not be able to be accessed by the public and trail connections between Hop Brook and Memorial Forest will not be available. The Town has worked with the contractor to permit two trail connections, shown on this map, during time of year restrictions when construction can not occur on this section of the corridor. Only these two crossings will be available for public use from May 1 through July 31 until further notice. Hikers will need to stay either north or south of the rail corridor all other times of the year and should use the respective trail heads (either the Hop Brook Conservation Land or the Women’s Federation parking areas on Dutton Road, or the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge on Hudson Road) to access these respective trail systems.

Trail Comments

• “There are many fascinating marshes and wetlands all over the property.”
• “The white pine forest and white pine saplings are wonderful to see.”
• “The trail was really easy to walk, and it takes you directly to the Duck Pond and the white pine forest.”
• “The forest all around Hop Brook was beautiful. The trail has many things to see. The Duck Pond has a blue heron and turtles. There is wildlife to see all around the pond.”
• “The pine trees are tall and majestic.”
• “I could spend hours around the Duck Pond. There is a trail that is next to the pond, so a hiker can really see everything going on.”
• “The Hop Brook and the marshland around it have amazing natural features.”
• “It would be great to walk this property at different seasons to see all of the colors and the changes in the landscape.”

Trail Videos

     Walk With Nature by Jon Ehrmann

     Girl Scouts Silver Award Film

   Hop Brook Marsh – Highlights

   Hop Brook Marsh – Trail Hike

Trail Photographs

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Hosmer House
299 Old Sudbury Road
Sudbury, MA
01776

Hosmer House
299 Old Sudbury Road
Sudbury, MA 01776

Israel Loring Elementary School
80 Woodside Road
Sudbury, MA 01776

Description

The fields at Loring School include a 60′ baseball diamond and a smaller practice area.

Field Permit Information:
Field Request
Field use Policy
Field Maintenance
Field Permit Fill in Form
Field Permit Form

Driving Directions

80 Woodside Rd.
Map Grid Location: M-09

Facilities at this Location

• Soccer
• Baseball

Groups who use this Facility

Sudbury Little League

Photographs of this Facility

The King Philip Woods Conservation Land was purchased jointly by the State Department of Environmental Management and the Town of Sudbury in 1987. The 81-acre conservation land consists of two parcels. On the easterly side of Water Row is 57 acres of Sudbury River floodplain with over 1,300 feet of frontage on the Sudbury River. With the exception of a scenic viewing area, this portion of the parcel is not open to the public to ensure preservation of the wildlife habitat value of the floodplain. The westerly side of Water Row is mostly a forested upland with diverse topography, trails, a small pond and bog, and several interesting historic foundations.

Trails from the King Philip property lead to the Haynes Garrison House. Hikers can also cross Water Row to view The Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge at designated viewing areas. Haynes Garrison and The Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge are not part of the King Philip property.

Parking

 A small gravel parking area is available off of Old Sudbury Rd. near Wolbach Rd.

Historical Information

The abandoned Old Berlin Road, historically an important stagecoach road from Boston to Lancaster, is now a dirt road running through the upland side of the parcel from Water Row to Old Sudbury Road. A short distance in from Water Row, on the right of Old Berlin Road, the foundation of an old tavern exists. This was a 2 1/2 story structure about the size of the Wayside Inn. Historically, the structure was a stagecoach stop. It became a popular spot in the middle of the 18th century for certain unsavory “Gentlemen of the Road” namely highwaymen and horse thieves who were led by the notorious Captain Lightfoot. The Captain and his friends had plied their trade on the highways of England too successfully and, for reasons of personal health, were forced to leave their native land. Subsequently, it was noticed that several travelers who left by stage for Lancaster failed to arrive at their destination, and warnings were posted advising travelers of the hazards of stage travel. With suspicion leveled at it, the tavern became unpopular as a stopping place and gradually fell into disrepair. A later owner investigating a stone in the basement unearthed 13 skeletons – apparently the unfortunate travelers who never made it to Lancaster.

King Philip, also known as Metacom, Metacomet, or Pometacom, became Great Sachem of the Wampanoag Federation in 1662 after he inherited the power and influence of his father and brother. Philip succeeded in organizing the Native Americans of New England to fight against the English. He knew that, if the Native Americans did not go to war, they would have to submit to English authority. On April 21, 1676, Sudbury, Lancaster, and Marlborough were burned to the ground by marauding Native Americans under the command of King Philip. A feeling of impending crisis sent the Sudbury settlers to their six garrison houses. On that fateful day, a force of 1,000 to 1,500 Native Americans under King Philip infiltrated the woods, burned the isolated farmhouses, and attacked the garrisons. None of the garrison houses remain today, but the foundation of the Haynes Garrison House can be seen on the adjacent town-owned parcel. It was to the Haynes Garrison House that the two Concord survivors of the Native American massacre at the Four-Arch Bridge (at the Sudbury River in Wayland) fled for refuge. Here, the defenders showed such courage and fierce determination to defend their homes that the Native Americans gave up and faded into the woods. Perhaps the increasing frequency of musket fire from the direction of Green Hill drew the discouraged Native Americans over Goodman Hill to the main engagement. There, King Philip and his warriors finally overwhelmed the colonials that afternoon, but failed to consolidate their victory. By the end of the day, Philip had abandoned his plan to wipe out settlers all the way to Boston and turned back. In August of that year, Philip was killed in Rhode Island by one of his own men – the brother of a man Philip had killed for desertion. King Philip did not succeed in taking back any of the former Native American lands in New England. After Philip’s death, the war ended. Native American power in New England had been considerably weakened, and the future of Native Americans in New England was set.  This began the slow descent into final defeat of the Native American peoples in southern New England.

Today, legends exist about Native Americans hurling a flaming hay cart down the hill toward the Haynes Garrison House while soldiers and families remained inside. Had the Haynes Garrison House been unable to protect the town’s earliest settlers against Native American attack, King Philip’s plan to wipe out every settlement eastward until he reached Boston might have succeeded. Philip suffered a significant setback in Sudbury, and it was here that he was made to turn back.

Excerpted in part from the book, Wayland A-Z: A Dictionary of Then and Now, by Evelyn Wolfson and Dick Hoyt, published in 2004 by the Wayland Historical Society.

Trail Challenges

The forested area contains hills and slopes, with multiple tree roots and rocks along the trails. Some of the slopes along the trails can be steep. However, the main trail is generally wide with average difficulty other than some slopes. Some of these wooded area trails also contain brush and are moderately challenging to hike.

Trail Comments

• “King Philip has a really nice pond area with lots of wildlife to see.”
• “The woods around King Philip are really interesting, with lots of stone walls and tall trees.”
• “Hikers can get a new perspective on the land on the big rock observation area.”
• “Haynes Garrison contains the old foundation and a stone marking the site. It is full of history. It is interesting to imagine the battle that occurred here.” NOTE: Haynes Garrison is not part of the King Philip property.
• “Across the street, there is a wonderful view of the Great Meadows. You can see the land for miles.” NOTE: Great Meadows is not part of the King Philip property.

Trail Videos

   King Philip Woods – Highlights

   King Philip Woods – Trail Hike

Trail Photographs

 Back to Conservation Office

Tucked into the southeastern corner of Sudbury at what was once the site of Johnson Farm, this 33.5-acre parcel of wetland, floodplain, meadows, and forest was purchased by the Town in 2015. This was made possible using Community Preservation funds and debt exemptions, as well as private donations raised by the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT).

Before the town interceded, the land was slated for development, making Landham Brook an important success story in preserving the natural, agricultural, and historical resources of the Town. Landham Brook Marsh is now managed jointly by the Conservation Department and Sudbury Valley Trustees, with the town having ownership while SVT holds a Conservation Restriction over the property. This arrangement confirms the Town’s commitment to protect this land in perpetuity.

Landham Brook Marsh offers a varied habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal life. Even as one of the Town’s smaller conservation areas, Landham Brook Marsh has many interesting aspects to offer visitors. The site features one trail that traverses past two beautiful meadows bisected by wetlands. The trail then enters a dense woodland before continuing into the larger network of conservation properties, including the Sudbury Valley Trustees Lyons-Cutler Reservation, as well as Water District land and Raymond Reservation before exiting onto Raymond Road. To the east is Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, making this property a critical wildlife corridor linkage. Together, these lands preserve over 500 acres of contiguous protected open space in Sudbury, and connect to an even larger wildlife corridor throughout Wayland.

This land contains beautiful wildflowers, interesting fungi, and a thriving wildlife community. In the spring and summer, the meadows are abuzz with bees and other pollinators flitting among the blooming goldenrods and asters. Across the property line into Lyons-Cutler, the trail leads past vernal pools full of frogs and salamanders, American elm trees, and a great blue heron rookery, making it an exceptional birding destination.

A short distance to the north of the parcel, Hop Brook and Landham Brook converge to become Wash Brook, a tributary which proceeds east to join the Sudbury River. A bit beyond the brooks, the Mass Central Rail Trail crosses the town on its west-east course between Boston and Northampton.

Parking

Visitors can access the area via Landham Road, with parking available at a small gravel lot, just south of Stagecoach Drive. Look for the trail sign.

Trail Challenges

The trail is generally flat and easy to traverse. Be sure to be extra careful of ticks during the warm seasons, as the trails pass through meadows that serve as prime habitat for them.

Camp Sewataro (Assessor’s Map C08-0143)
1 Liberty Ledge
Sudbury, MA 01776

Lincoln Hartwell Building – Multi-Purpose Room
Ballfield Road Lincoln
Middlesex County, US

Lincoln Library – Tarbell Room
3 Bedford Road
Lincoln, MA 01773