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Willow Brook Farm - Pembroke, MA

Old fields, dense woods, and a freshwater tidal marsh host a diversity of wildlife in this serene pocket of the Herring Brook Valley.

Lying at the confluence of the Pudding and Herring Brooks in the Herring Brook Valley, Willow Brook Farm is among the most diverse inland natural areas in Southeastern Massachusetts. The area is extremely productive for wildlife and conserves an unusual freshwater tidal marsh, a habitat type of both state and global significance. Tidal fluctuations can be observed here, some 11 miles upstream from the Atlantic Ocean. Within the valley lies a wilderness of more than 2,000 acres that, as a headwater area of the North River, is critical to water quality downstream. This area offers the rare development-free setting in a valley surrounded by suburban towns and just 30 miles from Boston. The natural and physical diversity of the area encourages visitors to return frequently to sample the changing seasons. 

Begin your walk at the informational kiosk near the entrance. Trails and ancient farm lanes wander through old fields and dense woods with old-growth trees. This area provides habitat for a wide range of wetland and other wildlife species, including several Partners in Flight “Watch List” birds. River otters, coyotes, beavers, American Woodcocks, Ruffed Grouse, and several amphibian species have been seen on the preserve. 

Access:

The terrain is mostly flat, with small hills. Bog boards and boardwalks throughout the trails require small steps up and down. Watch out for occasional rocks along the trails. A scenic overlook structure along the back boundary of the preserve is only accessible by a steep, winding staircase.

Acquired:

1997: Willow Brook Farm (73 acres) purchased by Wildlands Trust, with funding from an anonymous donor.

1997: Fleetwood Farm (20 acres) purchased by Wildlands Trust, with funding from an anonymous donor.

1998: Gillette-Sherman (7 acres) donated to Wildlands Trust by Burton Sherman and Bob Gillette.

1999: Lower Neck (40 acres) purchased by Wildlands Trust through grants and private donors.

2002: Missing Link (24 acres) purchased by Wildlands Trust through grants and private donors.

2005: Slavin Donation (3.2 acres) donated to Wildlands Trust by Sharon Slavin.

History:

In August 1996, a farsighted Marshfield couple offered to fund Wildlands' acquisition of a high-quality conservation property. Staff and board members explored 28 potential sites in 19 towns before deciding that two neighboring properties in the Herring Brook Valley on the upper reaches of the North River in Pembroke were lands of exceptional ecological, recreational, and scenic value. Thanks to the generosity of the visionary couple, who donated over $1 million to the project, and to the willingness of the owners of the properties—Connie and Marcia Crosby at Willow Brook Farm and Leah Conathan and Jane Cohn at Fleetwood Farm—to sell at substantial discounts from the appraised values, both historic farms were acquired and conserved by Wildlands Trust.

Location:

99 Barker Street, Pembroke, MA

Directions:

From Route 3: Take Exit 27 (old Exit 12) and merge onto MA-139 W. Turn left onto Water Street. Turn left onto MA-53 S/Washington Street. Turn right onto MA-14 W and continue on for 0.5 mile. The parking lot will be on your right.

Parking:

There is a parking area at the trailhead off Barker Street (Route 14), between Red Barn Road to the north and Fairwood Drive to the south. There is NO roadside parking permitted.

If parking is not available, we encourage you to try one of our other preserves in Pembroke such as Tucker Preserve, with 78 acres with trails along the Indian Head River, or Canoe Club Preserve, with 20 acres of trails abutting the North River.