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Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust
PO Box P17
404 Elm Street
Dartmouth, MA 02748

Tel: 508-991-2289

Land Management | Parsons Reserve
 

Donor : William Parsons

Acreage : 32 acres

Location : Russell's Mills Village

Year Acquired : 1992, 1999, and 2005

Access Point : Horseneck Road, Russell's Mills Village

Directions : See Map Walkers may park at the Russell's Mills Landing on Horseneck Road, just south of Russell's Mills Village.  Cross Horseneck Road north of the tennis courts and go through the metal gate.  The trail goes up the hill into the woods. 

Volunteer Steward : John & Lynn Wylde and Barbara Smith

 
 
Reserve Amenities:
 
 
 
 
Description: 
The Parsons Reserve is a lovely and ecologically significant property. Destruction Brook meanders through the property on its way to Slocums River, the floodplain cutting a wide swath between the towering rock outcroppings that dominate portions of the Reserve. A fecund vernal pool provides habitat for a variety of common and rare species. Wild turkeys roost in the oaks along the edge of the pool, and the beautiful beech grove nearby provides shelter for picnickers. Salamanders, wood frogs and rare plants call the place home, and deer wander the paths, foraging on the young shoots of briars and other understory plants.   On the northern end of the property a wooded glade fills with hundreds of daffodils every spring.  The Reserve's southern trail to Horseneck Road is dotted with mature rhododendrons planted by Mr. Parsons when he acquired the property in the 1960s.

Currently there is a simple, unmarked trail system on the entire parcel, with smaller auxilary trails.   
 
 
Additional Photos:

Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust