Great Hill: Difference between revisions
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Watlington (talk | contribs) (Completely re-organized the description, focusing on the location and not necessarily the dominant invasive plant there. Combined the list of active work areas with areas to be worked.) |
Watlington (talk | contribs) m (Info about Montague Lands as the latest addition in the intro paragraph) |
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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 | [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 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. | 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 areas of Great Hill which have been worked for invasive plants in the past, which need varied amounts of regular attention: | ||
* 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]] | |||
* The [[Great Hill School St Swamp|low lands between the large Playing Field, the Little Playing Field, and the Dog Pond]] | * 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 entire border of the [[Great Hill Dog Pond|Dog Pond]] | * D: The border of the [[Great Hill Little Playing Field|Little Playing Field]], including the [[Japanese Knotweed]] patch | ||
* 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 | * 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 border of the [[Great Hill Little Playing Field|Little Playing Field]], including the [[Japanese Knotweed]] patch | * 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 [[Gaebel/Magoun Lands]], with its [[Asian Bittersweet]] infestation | * G: The [[Gaebel/Magoun Lands]], with its [[Asian Bittersweet]] infestation | ||
* 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. | * 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 [[Great Hill Mass Ave Entrance Trail|"unofficial" entrance trail from Massachusetts Ave]] has lots of every invasive plant! | * J: The woods bordering the houses along Piper Rd. have an [[Asian Bittersweet]] infestation | ||
* K: The [[Great Hill Mass Ave Entrance Trail|"unofficial" entrance trail from Massachusetts Ave]] has lots of every invasive plant! | |||
* The area | * 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. | ||
* M: The [[Montague Land]] | |||
* The | |||
=== 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.
There are areas of Great Hill which have been worked for invasive plants in the past, which need varied amounts of regular attention:
- A: The School Street Swamp (low lands between the large Playing Field, the Little Playing Field, and the Dog Pond)
- B: The entire border of the Dog Pond
- C: The border of the large Playing Field, including the area to the west of the upper meadow and the Raspberry thickets to the east of the upper meadow
- D: The border of the Little Playing Field, including the Japanese Knotweed patch
- 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
- 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)
- G: The Gaebel/Magoun Lands, with its Asian Bittersweet infestation
- 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
- J: The woods bordering the houses along Piper Rd. have an Asian Bittersweet infestation
- K: The "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.
- M: The Montague Land