This is one of the few areas in Pepperell with pitch pine trees and unique sandy soils. Wander through the gravel pit and see the return of native plants, shrubs and trees along the edges. An early successional forest of young aspen and birch along with sweet fern, bracken and Pennsylvania sedge are returning to the area. This is a prime spot to find pine, prairie and chestnut-sided warblers. It is a great place to look for tracks of Eastern cottontail rabbits, deer, turtle and coyotes. The Bemis property abuts Day Woods.

Land Protection History

The Town of Pepperell purchased 72 acres of forest and wetlands surrounding the Bemis well from 1964-76. Forty-one acres were acquired in 1965 and the Rich Tree Farm and Forestry Company sold 31 acres to the town in the 1970s. The Conservation Commission then acquired 35 acres adjacent to the Water Division’s pumping station in 1977.

Trail Description

The Bemis trails are marked with red and gold T.O.P. trail markers. The Red Trail loop begins on a small foot path next to a private residence. Walk around a steel gate and at .03 miles turn left. At .1 miles the Red Trail intersects with the Gold Trail. Turn right to follow the Red Trail back to the parking area; or continue straight on the Gold Trail. The Gold Trail starts near the parking area and first descends into a wetland before joining up with the Red Trail at .13 miles. The Gold Trail turns west, crosses a large sand pit and then follows the Nissitissit flood plain up to the Potanipo Rail Trail on Beaver Brook Association conservation land.* From here you can explore hundreds of acres of conserved land around the Nissitissit River; you can also connect to the Jeff Smith Trail and explore the western side of the Bemis Road Conservation Land.  

Trail Mileage

From the street parking area the Red Trail loop is .3 miles in length. The Gold Trail is .28 miles to the Potanipo Rail Trail and a further .16 miles to intersect with the Jeff Smith Trail. Turning left (south) on to the Jeff Smith Trail, the Day Woods Property parking area is another .73 miles.

Directions

From Pepperell Town Hall, head north on Park Street to Brookline St. Take left onto Brookline St. for 1 mile. Turn left onto Boynton St. and immediately right onto Bemis Rd. In .4 miles, look for green sign off to the right; the trail access is path next to a house. Street parking is permitted; there is also a parking area at the end of Bemis. The GPS coordinates for street parking near to the Red Trail head are: Latitude 42.70205; Longitude -71.62602.

*Click here to visit the Beaver Brook Association website for more information about the  Beaver Brook property.