Stewart/Person Preserve - Kingston, MA

These woods, waters, and wetlands support a diversity of life and trace the geological history of the region.

Pine-covered hillsides, wind-rippled ponds, and a tumbling brook are among the attractions of the O. W. Stewart Preserve. The trail begins just off Sylvia Place Road, passes by Bryant Mill Pond on the right, and continues to a herring ladder above Sylvia Place Pond that allows fish to reach spawning grounds further upstream in Russell Pond. Fishing enthusiasts value these ponds for their bass, perch, and pickerel. 

The trail passes through two types of woodlands. On the well-drained slopes and ridges grows a pine-oak forest of white pine, black oak, white oak, and occasional beech trees. Swampy lowlands and brook-sides support a forest of red maple, yellow birch, white ash, and occasional red oak, with an understory of sweet pepperbush. The ponds are bordered by maples and many shrub species, including alder, high-bush blueberry, swamp azalea, and silky dogwood. Red fox, mink, and opossum hunt the white pine woods, where five species of club-moss can be found. Thrushes, Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Ducks, and many other species are a lure for birders.  

Located between Sylvia Place Pond and Russell Pond in Kingston, the Person Preserve consists of 13.5 acres forested with white pine and mixed oaks. The Person Preserve directly abuts the Stewart Preserve, sharing much of the same terrain. It is dominated by several eskers, formed thousands of years ago by deposits from glacial melt waters, resulting in many steep-sided hills. The esker along the west edge of Russell Pond is especially steep, while other areas of the property have more gentle slopes with flat-topped hills. 

Due to the diversity of habitat on the Person Preserve, a wide range of wildlife may be seen here. A large buck has been observed in the “valley” between eskers. Fish in the ponds attract both birds and mammals: Osprey and Great Blue Herons have been observed fishing in Russell Pond, and otter scat and tracks have appeared along the brook flowing into Sylvia Place Pond from the south.

Access:

Expect moderately hilly terrain. Bridges at multiple points along the trail require visitors to make small steps up and down. Watch your footing along the trail, as exposed roots and rocks can present a tripping hazard.

Acquired:

1975: 13.3 acres donated to Wildlands Trust by O. Wellington Stewart and Gertrude H. Stewart.
2011: 13.48 acres donated to Wildlands Trust by Martin B. Person Jr. and Joan Person.

History:

The landscape of Stewart Preserve, as in all of Plymouth County, is of glacial origin, and consists of sand and gravel deposits shaped by glacial melt waters. The retreating glaciers scattered large boulders of granite at the southern corner of the preserve. Deposits of rusty-colored bog ore, which can still be seen along the brook, were sources of iron for colonial settlers. Until the end of the 19th century, the two ponds at this site provided water to run machinery for industrial ventures. Traces of these activities are still visible on the preserve.

The hydrology of Person Preserve has been significantly altered by humans over the centuries. Sylvia Pond and Russell Pond, as well as several other nearby ponds, were constructed in order to supply several downstream mills with power. Russell Pond currently flows into the eastern end of Sylvia Place Pond, which in turn flows into Bryant Mill Pond, and then into Soule’s Pond. From Soule’s Pond, water flows into Furnace Brook, then into the Jones River, emptying into Kingston Bay. 

Location:

Southwest of Sylvia Place Road, Kingston, MA

Directions:

From Route 3: Take to Exit 18 (old Exit 9). Merge onto MA-3A N/Main St. Turn left onto MA-80 W. Stay on MA-80 W for roughly 1.6 miles, then turn left onto Sylvia Place Road.

Parking:

Parking for about 2 vehicles is available off Sylvia Place Road, just past the pond on the right. (See trail map for exact location)