Greenough Land


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Greenough Land (242 acres) 
 
Access: Parking lots on Maple and East streets and two trail entrances off Maple Street. Trail access from Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Parking: Parking lots (2) off Maple Street.
 
Carlisle purchased the Greenough Land in 1973 (eight adjoining acres in Billerica are owned by the Carlisle Conservation Foundation.)(1) Sidney A. Bull's "History of Carlisle" notes that the first known settlers on the land were the Solomon Andrews family, who arrived in 1765. Around 1830, Capt. Thomas Page bought the land and operated a gristmill here until 186O. Pages Brook, named after him, runs southeasterly and flows into the Concord River. Recent owners include the French family and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Greenough.
 
Trails circle the 15-acre Greenough pond(2) and lead to the Concord River. There are wild blueberries in the woods and boxes in the lake for nesting wood ducks. It's a very popular winter destination for cross-country skiers and ice-skaters. Walking clockwise around the pond, the trail crosses a footbridge(3) and passes a large barn(4) with a beautiful slate roof. The Conservation Commission manages the barn and cottage on the property. After the pond, the trail splits, with one branch leading towards the wetlands and Concord River, while the other heads south, passing through a hayfield and a grove of white and red pine trees(5). The trail toward the river meets up with the River trail and heads south to Foss Farm. The trail through the hay field meets the inland Great Meadows trail, which continues on to Foss Farm. Landowners within this neighborhood also maintain a private network of trails. They ask that you respect their privacy and always obtain permission before including their trails in your hiking adventures.