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Conservation Areas
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Rules and Regulations for Conservation Areas
Sawmill Brook Conservation Area
***NEW MAP***
This conservation area is comprised of 27 acres of mostly dry woodland, wetlands and meadows. There are several trails through the property, with the main north/south trail blazed blue and the dead-ended side-trail blazed yellow. Sawmill Brook forms the southern border for most of the parcel. Birds and other wildlife give visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature. The property is accessible from a gate on Mill Street, from the gas line easement at Erin Lane, and from a trail starting behind the Fox Hill Elementary School. Be sure to check out Burlington’s historic Clapp’s Mill Site! The Clapp’s Mill Site consists of almost 4 acres directly adjacent to the Sawmill Brook Conservation Area, and contains the remnants of an historic dam and mill. A small parking area is located at the end of Sawmill Road off of Mill Street.
Mill Pond Conservation Area
The largest conservation area in Burlington, the Mill Pond Conservation Area includes over 140 acres of rolling and steep terrain. Numerous marked and unmarked trails cross through the conservation area. These trails allow for long enjoyable hiking or biking experiences. The land has numerous access points, including the corner of Winter and Chestnut Streets, through a gate at the end of Hansen Avenue, and through a gate at the end of the offshoot from Town Line Road.
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Littles Brook Conservation Area
With 36 acres, this is the second largest conservation area in Burlington. Much of the area is steep, with low-lying wetlands in the western portion. Many marked and unmarked trails cross the area and provide a place to stroll and watch nature at work. Access is available at the ends of Creston and Hillside Avenues, and at Mountain Road, where a gate marks the entrance to the land. The Littles Brook Conservation Area can also be accessed from Overlook Park. Right click and save map. Does not load quickly on web. You need Adobe Reader to view.
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Pine Glen Conservation Area
A small, 6-acre parcel of land traversed by several brooks, the Pine Glen Conservation Area serves mainly to provide wildlife habitat and protect water quality. The Conservation Commission blazed a loop trail with stream crossings. This project was sponsored by the Department of Environmental Management Greenways Grant Program and allows for the Pine Glen School to use the land for educational purposes.
All access is from the Pine Glen School.
Vine Brook Conservation Are
The Vine Brook Conservation Area is 22 acres. The parcel includes wetlands, woodlands, and Vine Brook. Trails have not yet been blazed or marked through this parcel. The marking of trails in the Vine Brook Conservation Area is a goal for the Conservation Commission in the near future. Access may be gained at the end of Fowler Terrace Avenue.
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Fairfax Conservation Area
The Fairfax Conservation Area is a little less than an eighth of an acre. Although it is small, the contribution it makes as a protected habitat corridor for wildlife is immeasurable. This habitat corridor allows organisms to travel safely between habitats and reduces the
number of animals killed by cars.
Sandy Brook Conservation Area
This 5-acre conservation area is primarily wooded swamp along Sandy Brook. Because of its thick underbrush and wet ground, passive recreation is difficult. Sandy Brook’s main functions are to protect water quality and provide flood storage. Access to the land is available at the end of Saint Mark’s Road and Bedford Street.
Longmeadow Brook Conservation Area
The primary purpose of this land is flood control and water quality protection. Its two acres include a variety of vegetation growing along a steep valley and the brook. Access may be gained from a conservation restriction between South Bedford Street and the Longmeadow Assisted Living Facility on Mall Road. There is also a 30-foot oil easement off of South Bedford Street through which the Longmeadow Brook Conservation Area may be reached.
Ipswich Conservation Area
Consisting of boggy wooded swamp, this 3-acre parcel also includes a rock peak. A large conservation area in Wilmington abuts this property. Access in Burlington will eventually be made available through a trail easement leading from the end of Kingsdale Street.
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Lubber Brook Conservation Area
In addition to Lubber Brook, which passes through this parcel, a number of small brooks and wetlands are present. Although this makes walking difficult, this land provides important wildlife habitat, flood storage and protects water quality. Access is available from Cook Road.
Chadwick Conservation Area
This parcel of 3.78 acres of land contains a brook, wetlands, and woodlands. Currently there are no marked trails in the Chadwick Conservation Area.
The access point for this area is at the end of Chadwick Road.
Rock Pond Brook Conservation Area
Most of this 3-acre parcel consists of steep uplands, although a brook traverses the back portion of it. Access to the land is through an unmarked Right of Way off of Locust Street, which includes part of a dirt road and a steep slope.
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Forest Field Conservation Area
This parcel of mixed uplands and wetlands is located along the Boston Edison power lines between Mill and Locust Streets. The combination of field and forest plus wetlands makes this a good area for nature study, especially birding. While there are few paths in the area, the power line makes it easy for walking. Currently, however, there is no legal access to the parcel.
Muller Road Conservation Area
This area comprises over 3 acres of dry land that was donated to the Town for conservation purposes. Much of the land is under high-tension lines and due to the proximity of the Middlesex Mall this parcel is used primarily by urban wildlife. Access is available from Muller Road.
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Marion Road Conservation Area
The Marion Road Conservation Area is the most recent addition to the Town’s Open Space holdings. Containing over 15 acres, it contains several acres of uplands, and an extensive wetland system that provides significant flood storage and water quality enhancement. There is an excellent diversity of native vegetation throughout the parcel (including about a dozen very large shagbark hickory trees – a rare species in Burlington) that provide valuable wildlife habitat. Hawks, owls, pheasants, foxes, woodchucks, and deer have all been spotted in the Marion Road Conservation Area. The Marion Road trail map* shows that the area’s well-used trail system can be accessed from Evergreen Avenue, Marion Road, and through a gate located off of Bedford Street adjacent to the Pine Haven Cemetery. Map
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Rules and Regulations for Conservation Areas
You may:
1.
Hike, ski, and snowshoe on trail prepared for these activities.
2.
Observe a variety of songbirds, birds of prey, and other wildlife.
3.
Discover unusual wetlands, meadows, and plant species.
4.
Picnic on a carry-in, carry-out basis.
5.
Use radios with earphones only.
6.
Walk dogs on a leash only.
7.
Camp overnight with special permission from the Conservation Commission.
8.
Have group picnics or cookouts with special permission from the Conservation Commission.
9.
Ride horses with permission from the Conservation Commission and under dry land conditions only.
You may NOT:
1.
Litter.
2.
Deface or vandalize.
3.
Hunt or trap.
4.
Remove plants or wildlife.
5.
Cut firewood.
6.
Swim.
7.
Carry firearms.
8.
Play paintball games.
9.
Have campfires.
10.
Possess alcoholic beverages.
11.
Drive or ride motorized vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, trail bikes, snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles (ATV’s) or any other vehicles driven by motors.
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Conservation Areas
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