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[https://trails.actonma.gov/great-hill/ Great Hill] is one of Acton's larger conservation areas, w. over 200 acres.  Acton started buying the parcels comprising Great Hill in 1975, and continues to this day, with the Magoun Land being the latest addition (2020).  While there were originally plans to develop parts of Great Hill for recreation (e.g. a town pool off of Piper Rd), it is largely dedicated to woodland, with conservation easements on two portions (the Gaebel and Magoun additions).  The town maintains (mows weekly) both a large Playing Field adjacent to the School St. parking lot, and a Little Playing Field close to Mill Corner.  While in the past both have been used for organized youth sports, currently neither is used for that purpose.
[https://trails.actonma.gov/great-hill/ Great Hill] is one of Acton's larger conservation areas, w. over 200 acres.  Acton started buying the parcels comprising Great Hill in 1975, and continues to this day, with the [[Gaebel/Magoun Lands|Magoun]] and [[Montague Land|Montague]] Lands being the latest additions (2020 and 2024).  While there were originally plans to develop parts of Great Hill for recreation (e.g. a town pool off of Piper Rd), it is largely dedicated to woodland, with conservation easements on two portions (the Gaebel and Magoun additions).  The town maintains (mows weekly) both a large Playing Field adjacent to the School St. parking lot, and a Little Playing Field close to Mill Corner.  While in the past both have been used for organized youth sports, currently neither is used for that purpose.


Great Hill has numerous areas being worked for invasive plants.  The areas that are relatively clear of invasive plants are the top of greater Great Hill (the east-most peak), parts of the eastern side of greater Great Hill, and a portion of old growth swamp to the northeast of the large Playing Field.
Great Hill has two peaks, referred to as lesser Great Hill (w. the Acton Water Tower) and greater Great Hill (the east-most peak).  A seasonal stream feeding the Dog Pond runs between them.  Areas of Great Hill which are relatively clear of invasive plants are the top of greater Great Hill, parts of the eastern side of greater Great Hill, and a portion of old growth swamp to the northeast of the large Playing Field.
[[File:GreatHill Invasives Map 2024-1.png|alt=A map showing the location on Great Hill of the areas where invasive plants are being addressed, or ignored.  Each location is described in the following text.|right|frameless|596x596px|Great Hill Invasives Plant Areas]]
There are areas of Great Hill which have been worked for invasive plants in the past, which need varied amounts of regular attention:


There are many serious infestations:
* A: The [[Great Hill School St Swamp|School Street Swamp (low lands between the large Playing Field, the Little Playing Field, and the Dog Pond)]]
 
* B: The entire border of the [[Great Hill Dog Pond|Dog Pond]]
''[hopefully soon, each of these will link to a page better describing the area and work history]''
* C: The border of the [[Great Hill Large Playing Field|large Playing Field]], including the area to the west of the upper meadow and the Raspberry thickets to the east of the upper meadow
* The [[Asian Bittersweet]] growing between the trail from the Pond to the Little Playing Field and Mill Corner
* D: The border of the [[Great Hill Little Playing Field|Little Playing Field]], including the [[Japanese Knotweed]] patch
* The [[Asian Bittersweet]] growing in the Gaebel land
* E: The south side of greater Great Hill has a large [[Winged Euonymus]] thicket, which has been attacked by brave volunteers starting in 2021.  It also has a large [[Norway Maple]] infestation
* The [[Asian Bittersweet]] growing behind the houses on Piper Rd.
* F: The area between the trail from the Pond to the Little Playing Field and Mill Corner Condominiums has a large [[Asian Bittersweet]] thicket growing in it (as well as [[Garlic Mustard]], [[Bush Honeysuckle]], and [[Winged Euonymus]])
* The [[Winged Euonymus]] thicket growing on the southern edge of greater Great Hill
* G: The [[Gaebel/Magoun Lands]], with its [[Asian Bittersweet]] infestation
* The [[Black Locust]] and [[Norway Maple]] invading the southeast side of greater Great Hill
* H: The Maple thicket around the northern Piper Rd. Red entrance trail, which includes a large patch [[Garlic Mustard]] growing north of the northern Piper Rd. Red entrance trail
* The [[Japanese Knotweed]] growing at the edge of the Little Playing field
* J: The woods bordering the houses along Piper Rd. have an [[Asian Bittersweet]] infestation
* The [[Garlic Mustard]] growing north of the northern Piper Rd. Red entrance trail
* K: The [[Great Hill Mass Ave Entrance Trail|"unofficial" entrance trail from Massachusetts Ave]] has lots of every invasive plant!
 
* L: The area south of the Main Street parking lot.  This has [[Garlic Mustard]], [[Winged Euonymus]], and also some [[Japanese Knotweed]], in between the two houses.
There are many other areas which have received attention in the past, which need varied amounts of regular attention:
* M: The [[Montague Land]]
 
''[hopefully soon, each of these will link to a page better describing the area and work history]''
 
* The [[Great Hill School St Swamp|low lands between the large Playing Field, the Little Playing Field, and the Dog Pond]].
* The entire border of the [[Great Hill Dog Pond|Dog Pond]]
* The border of the [[Great Hill Large Playing Field|large Playing Field]]
* The border of the [[Great Hill Little Playing Field|Little Playing Field]]
* The area to the west of the upper meadow in the large Playing Field
* The Raspberry thickets to the east of the upper meadow in the large Playing Field
* The [[Gaebel/Magoun Lands]]
* The Maple thicket around the northern Piper Rd. Red entrance trail
* The [[Great Hill Mass Ave Entrance Trail|"unofficial" entrance trail from Massachusetts Ave]].
* All of the woods bordering the Piper Rd. houses.


=== Previous Reports ===
=== Previous Reports ===

Latest revision as of 03:43, 30 August 2024

Great Hill is one of Acton's larger conservation areas, w. over 200 acres. Acton started buying the parcels comprising Great Hill in 1975, and continues to this day, with the Magoun and Montague Lands being the latest additions (2020 and 2024). While there were originally plans to develop parts of Great Hill for recreation (e.g. a town pool off of Piper Rd), it is largely dedicated to woodland, with conservation easements on two portions (the Gaebel and Magoun additions). The town maintains (mows weekly) both a large Playing Field adjacent to the School St. parking lot, and a Little Playing Field close to Mill Corner. While in the past both have been used for organized youth sports, currently neither is used for that purpose.

Great Hill has two peaks, referred to as lesser Great Hill (w. the Acton Water Tower) and greater Great Hill (the east-most peak). A seasonal stream feeding the Dog Pond runs between them. Areas of Great Hill which are relatively clear of invasive plants are the top of greater Great Hill, parts of the eastern side of greater Great Hill, and a portion of old growth swamp to the northeast of the large Playing Field.

A map showing the location on Great Hill of the areas where invasive plants are being addressed, or ignored. Each location is described in the following text.
Great Hill Invasives Plant Areas

There are areas of Great Hill which have been worked for invasive plants in the past, which need varied amounts of regular attention:

Previous Reports

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