Great Hill: Difference between revisions

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(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.)
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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 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.


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.


There are many serious infestations:
There are areas of Great Hill which have been worked for invasive plants in the past, which need varied amounts of regular attention:
 
''[hopefully soon, each of these will link to a page better describing the area and work history]''
* The [[Asian Bittersweet]] growing between the trail from the Pond to the Little Playing Field and Mill Corner
* The [[Asian Bittersweet]] growing in the Gaebel land
* The [[Asian Bittersweet]] growing behind the houses on Piper Rd.
* The [[Winged Euonymus]] thicket growing on the southern edge of greater Great Hill
* The [[Black Locust]] and [[Norway Maple]] invading the southeast side of greater Great Hill
* The [[Japanese Knotweed]] growing at the edge of the Little Playing field
* The [[Garlic Mustard]] growing north of the northern Piper Rd. Red entrance trail
 
There are many other areas which have received attention in the past, which need varied amounts of regular attention:


''[hopefully soon, each of these will link to a page better describing the area and work history]''
''[hopefully soon, each of these will link to a page better describing the area and work history]''
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* The [[Great Hill School St Swamp|low lands between the large Playing Field, the Little Playing Field, and the Dog Pond]].
* 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 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 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 border of the [[Great Hill Little Playing Field|Little Playing Field]]
* The border of the [[Great Hill Little Playing Field|Little Playing Field]], including the [[Japanese Knotweed]] patch
* The area to the west of the upper meadow in the large Playing Field
* The [[Gaebel/Magoun Lands]], with its [[Asian Bittersweet]] infestation
* The Raspberry thickets to the east of the upper meadow in the large Playing Field
* 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 [[Gaebel/Magoun Lands]]
* The [[Great Hill Mass Ave Entrance Trail|"unofficial" entrance trail from Massachusetts Ave]] has lots of every invasive plant!
* The Maple thicket around the northern Piper Rd. Red entrance trail
 
* The [[Great Hill Mass Ave Entrance Trail|"unofficial" entrance trail from Massachusetts Ave]].
* 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 Euonymous.)
* All of the woods bordering the Piper Rd. houses.
* 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 woods bordering the houses along Piper Rd. have an [[Asian Bittersweet]] infestation.


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

Revision as of 01:28, 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 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.

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:

[hopefully soon, each of these will link to a page better describing the area and work history]

  • 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 Euonymous.)
  • 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 woods bordering the houses along Piper Rd. have an Asian Bittersweet infestation.

Previous Reports

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