The Westside Trail is one of the hidden gems in the Pepperell Pond area of the Nashua River. Walk along the Westside Trail, which runs through the property, in early spring to see Common and Hooded Mergansers, and Red-winged Blackbirds. This area of the river is a migratory stopover for waterfowl heading north in spring and, in recent years, a Bald eagle has been nesting in the area.

Land Protection History

In 1982 the Kemp family donated the peninsula where the restored canoe/kayak launch site and parking is located, as well as the right of way to access it. Further south, the MA Depart- ment of Conservation and Recreation acquired 46 acres from the Walent family in 2002; NCT contributed $20,000 toward this purchase, which is now part of the J. Harry Rich State Forest. Also in 2002, the Pepperell Conservation Commission purchased the one-mile rail bed with funding from the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services under the former Self -Help Program. In 2019 NCT acquired 18 acres along the Nashua River and named the parcel the Marion Stoddart Conservation Area in honor of Marion’s decades long commitment to protect- ing the river.

Trail Description

Starting from the canoe/kayak launch site parking area and following the blue trail markers, walk south along the river and enjoy spectacular scenery and wildlife views. Presently, you will arrive at a 3-acre field on the right. The trail continues south hugging the riverside and enters a wooded area that brings you to the Walent property and the second parking area. From the parking area look for the blue trail markers to guide you to the old railway bed, on which the trail continues. The trail passes through two splendid oxbow areas of the Nashua River and ends at Rte 119.

Trail Mileage

From the Canoe/Kayak site parking area, the first segment of the Westside Trail to the Walent parking area is .5 miles; the remaining southbound segment to Rte 119 is 1 mile.

Directions

To the Town of Pepperell Canoe/Kayak launch site parking area: From Pepperell Town Hall, go East .4 miles on Main St. to the rotary. Bear right onto Rte. 111 South. At 2.1 miles turn left at the TOP Canoe/Kayak launch site sign. To the Walent parking area: From Pepperell Town Hall, go East .4 miles on Main St. to the rotary. Bear right onto Rte. 111 South. At 2.2 miles turn left on to an unmarked dirt road. Follow the dirt road past the house on the right and park in the field.

The GPS coordinates for the TOP Canoe/Kayak site parking area are Latitude 42.64666; Longitude -71.58916. The GPS coordinates for the Walent parking area are: Latitude 42.64190; Longitude -71.59108.