Head to Hale and Hit the Trail

It's good to be outside on a nice sunny day, and there's so much you can do in Westwood that will cost you little to nothing and you'll still be able to have a good time.

Hale Reservation offers hours of outdoor recreation, and is open 365 days of the year for anyone to enjoy.  There is so much ground to cover at Hale Reservation that it would take more than one day to enjoy all the features it has to offer.  Whether you're in the mood for a peaceful walk in the woods, or you want to take your mountain bike on a trek, you will not be disappointed with Hale's long interconnected windy paths.

In the past mountain bikers were required to have a permit, but this is no longer necessary.

"We used to be permitted, but we did away with that a couple of years ago," said Jay Walsh, the Environmental Resource Manager at Hale Reservation.

Horseback riding is also common at Hale.

"We do horseback riding, but we ask the riders to stick to the trails farther away from the main areas."

Jay recommended the East-West Fire Lane for horseback riding, and to avoid the Cat Rock parking lot.

During the summer time, from Memorial Day to Labor Day families are invited to become members.  Membership gives guests access to the beach, along with a handful of activities for children like "swim lessons, arts and crafts, boating and sailing lessons, nature activities, teen programs and special events.  For more information on becoming a summer member click here.

Hale also has a day camp for children ages 4-15.  According to the site, "Hale Day Camp offers the perfect backdrop for a summer of outdoor exploration and learning."  The camp follows a simple but sturdy philosophy based on responsibility, cooperation, discovery and friendship.

Hale Reservation also combines efforts with other agencies from Greater Boston to provide a day camp for children from over seventy surrounding communities.  According to their trail map brochure, "Hale Reservation supports its agency camps by providing facilities and trained staff leadership for Swimming, Boating, Teambuilding, Environmental Education, Health Services, and Wellness Programs."

It's also a popular spot for school field trips, scouts, youth groups and corporate groups.  Just off of Split Rock Trail you'll find a ropes course in the trees.

The paved street that runs through Hale Reservation, Carby Street, was once known as "The Old Indian Path."  Robert Sever Hale founded spot in 1918 when he began buying land for himself and the Boy Scouts to use.  He and the scouts created all three ponds, Storrow Pond, Noanet Pond, and Powissett Pond on their own.

Split Rock Trail,the shortest of all the trails takes hikers over Split Rock and then partially across the Noanet Pond dam, and from there to Powissett Brook up to Cat Rock.

Page & Sadie Trail wraps around Noanet Pond where Membership Beach and North Beach can be found.  There's also a fishing dock right near where the Page & Sadie Trail, Storrow Pond Trail, and the Split Rock Trail meet.

"Noanet pond is good for large mouth bass, and every spring Storrow Pond is stocked with five hundred trout that's donated form the Massachusetts State Fisheries."

The Oak Hill Trail is located in the southern portion of Hale Reservation.  On the eastern side of the trail, hikers will find wide and serene trails, while on the southern side the trail brings you to a rocky ridge just after passing Nimrod's Rock.

Storrow Pond trail starts off at Hale's main entrance.  If you are looking for a leisurely walk through the woods, this is the trail to take, as it offers very wide trails and smooth slopes.  When trekking through hikers will be rewarded with views of Noanet and Storrow Ponds.

The Strawberry Hill trail is the longest trail in Hale Reservation.  The trail actually leads hikers off Hale reservation through the hills and into the Trustees of Reservation's "Noanet Woodlands."

Volunteers are a major asset to Hale Reservation.

"We have a small staff and rely heavily on volunteers.  We couldn't survive without them," said Walsh.

So, if you're looking to fill your day with beautiful scenery and exercise but don't feel like emptying your wallet, a trip to Hale Reservation is highly recommended for nature lovers of all ages.