Lucy Stone Park

Lucy Stone Park is located 300 yards from the town center heading north on the Old West Brookfield Roadlucystone just before the bridge over the Quaboag River and the Quaboag Regional Middle/High School.  It occupies approximately 6 acres and is bordered by the river on two sides.

The land was originally donated to the town from local land owners and dedicated in 1968 as Lucy Stone Park in honor of Lucy Stone, 1818-1893, famous abolitionist and suffragette born in nearby West Brookfield, MA.  The land is now in the stewardship of the Warren Conservation Commission.

As seen today, the western portion of the park is occupied by a wide grassy play area with picnic tables, a 60,000 square foot pollinator garden, and a riverside trail leading from a small parking lot down to a lower grassy area in the floodplain of the river.  The riverbank is mostly tree-lined with a small paddling beach, riverside picnic tables, and a bench overlooking the river rapids.  It is the favorite location for whitewater kayakers and canoeists during the springtime.  A short trail continues along the riverbank into an area of mature trees, mostly maples, birch, and oak.  A small wetland also exists in this area.

The eastern portion of the park provides a large grassy area with ready access to the river which on this side has a slow, gentle current.  Picnic tables and benches are available.  A steep wooded area (mostly conifers and maples) exists to the south.

A moderately difficult walking trail winds through this wooded area for the full length of the park offering splendid views of the river.  Benches are provided at two viewing points. The trail is named “The Better World Path” in memory of Lucy Stone’s dying words.

This side of the park offers more shade than the western side, especially on late summer afternoons.

ACTIVITIES

With its many different habitats and in particular its location bordered on both sides by the Quaboag River, Lucy Stone Park is a living jewel in our small community. It is open dawn to dusk year-round and offers the following activities and uses:

Walking: along river bank or through the Better World Path.  Dogs on leash are welcome but please pick up behind you.

Picnicking: at riverside tables/benches or just throw a rug down and enjoy the large grassy areas and delightful views with your favorite sandwich.

Boating: car top boats only, no motorized craft. Easy river access for canoes and kayaks. Calm waters upstream to West Brookfield locations, a relaxing paddle. Downstream for experienced whitewater kayakers and canoeists.

Fishing: the river is stocked in spring with brown and rainbow trout. Native species include pike, perch, and bass. Spin or fly fishing.

The Pollinator Garden: is found on the west side containing over 50 different pollinator species of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees indigenous to the northeast and mid-eastern United States. A series of interpretive signs was also designed and installed providing information about the plants growing in the vicinity of each sign for the full length of the garden.

Wildlife: many species of animals are attracted to the various habitats present at the park, especially those enjoying the pollinator garden from springtime hummingbirds to migratory species, blue herons, geese, to small predatory hawks. Beavers, rabbits, and several turtle species that lay their eggs in the sunny areas of the park are also seen.  Tracks of deer, bobcats, and the occasional bear are not uncommon in the winter snows.  Photographers love this place!

PARK RESTORATION AND POLLINATOR  GARDEN

In 2013, the Conservation Commission decided to undertake the arduous task of removing the overwhelming areas of invasive vegetation (multiflora rose, bittersweet, and honeysuckle) that had encroached over the years.  Once completed, a second phase was initiated to build a native pollinator garden on the steep sunny bank on the western side.  This was planned to provide both aesthetic and wildlife benefits while requiring less maintenance than a formal flower garden.  All of the plants and shrubs help feed the local wildlife who use the river corridor, from bees, butterflies, bats, to the many types of birds and other small animals that pollinate plants.

The pollinator garden is largely complete and has fully grown in, providing a major attraction to visitors at our community park.  Ongoing maintenance is now the key.

VOLUNTEERS

Our gratitude extends to the many hundreds of volunteers, local organizations and businesses that have contributed to this extraordinary project over the years, resulting in a very diverse natural habitat and delightful area of relaxation and enjoyment for our local community.  It can be truly described as an “all- volunteer” project.

We are grateful to Ellen Sousa, local expert and author on ecologically responsible gardening and pollinator garden design and Dee Blanton, BS, Master Gardener, for their invaluable guidance and coaching over the years.  We also congratulate three Scout members from local towns who have achieved their Eagle Scout status by completion of projects undertaken at Lucy Stone Park.

EVENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Not surprisingly, Lucy Stone Park also provides an ideal location for spring and summer events including duck races, daffodil and other planting events, musical entertainment, kayak and canoe races, whitewater races, Quaboag High School engineering students cardboard boat races, and the ever-popular Easter Egg Hunts.

Lucy Stone Park is free and open to all, dawn to dusk, year-round.  Our park will live and grow in true memory and recognition of Lucy Stone and her achievements, not only in our small community but across the entire state of Massachusetts.

Please click on the link to the Lucy Stone Park Facebook page for further background on the history of Lucy Stone Park, upcoming projects and volunteer opportunities.

CONTACT:

Warren Conservation Commission (413) 436-5701 ext. 102

Tim O’Brien, Project Manager (413) 813-7110