Pepperell's Conservation Land and Open Spaces

Pepperell is blessed with a lovely rural character that the Town and the Conservation Commission are working to protect. Over the last several years, Town Meeting has set aside parcels for conservation and protected others by means of deed restrictions.  However, it is an on-going challenge to balance the inevitable growth of the Town, the numerous new housing developments that are a function of Pepperell's appeal, and the desire to have Pepperell remain true to its current beauty.

Open Space Map

View a larger GIF version of the Open Space Map.

Download a full-resolution 25x34" PDF version (917KB) or a downsized, standard printer 8x11" PDF version (506KB) of the Open Space Map.

Rules and Regulations for Conservation Land Use

The Conservation Commission encourages you to enjoy the open spaces in Pepperell. In order to maintain these resources for all, please read the Rules and Regulations for using Town of Pepperell Conservation Lands.

Some town conservation properties are open to primitive firearm and bow hunting. during appropriate hunting seasons. See a list of the specific parcels and a partial list of Massachusetts hunting seasons.

Conservation Areas

Town of Pepperell-owned conservation land

Bemis Road Conservation Area -- Trails map #2 --
Boy Scout Parcels
Carter Lot
Gulf Brook Conservation Area -- Trails map #2 --
Gulf Brook Ravine -- Trails map #1 --
Heald Pond -- Trails map #1 --
Heald Street Orchard -- Trails map #1 --
Keyes Conservation Land -- Trails map #3 --
Nashua River Canoe Launches
Nashua River Islands
Nissitissit Meadows Conservation Area -- Trails map #4 --
Pepperell Springs Conservation Area -- Trails map #1 --
Stewart Brook Conservation Area -- Trails map #2 --
Nashua River Westside Trail

Also, the Jeff Smith Trail runs through several of the above parcels on Trails map #1 and map #2

Other Protected Public Open Spaces:

Mass DCR Nashua River Rail Trail paved bikeway.

Mass. DFW Nissitissit River Wildlife Management Area
-- located on Trails map #3 and map #4 --
Nashoba Conservation Trust's Day Parcel -- Trails map #3
Nashoba Conservation Trust's Friends Way
Nashoba Conservation Trust's Keyes Farm
Nashoba Conservation Trust's Linkel Woods
Nashoba Conservation Trust's Stromsted Property
Pepperell Town Forest and Picnic Area

Other Protected Privately-owned Open Spaces:

Twin Valley Farm
Kimball Fruit Farm

Massachusetts Outdoors Recreation Map

The Town of Pepperell has great places for enjoying the outdoors but you can also check out the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Massachusetts Outdoor Recreation Map to find additional locations for fishing, boating, hunting, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming.

Trail Monitoring and Maintenance

The Pepperell Conservation Commission has established a volunteer-based trails monitoring and maintenance program to help keep our trail system clear and accessible. If you use any of the trails in town and would like to help, please read more.

Trails Maps

The following GPS-based trails maps are from the northern sector of Pepperell where many of the Town's conservation areas can be found. You may click on the thumbnail image to see a larger JPG version onscreen or download a printable 8.5x11" version below.

Scenic or Miscellaneous Points of Interest

Map #1:

  • A. Edge of Heald Pond, lovely views, great place for a picnic
  • B. Small holes dug into the cliff, histroic attempts to dig silver mines (unsuccessful)
  • C. Trail crosses over old dam on Gulf Brook, watch your step!
  • D. Farm Pond, dug for irrigation of apple trees, VERY deep. Keep children away from the edge.
  • E. Knoll with lovely views over the Orchard

Map #2:

  • F. Old Sawmill Dam Site, off to the right about 1000 feet up the trail. Beavers like to build new dams at the old dam site.
  • G. Trail crosses over a beaver dam at the site of washed out bridge. This may not be safe during high water.
  • H. Gate at entrance to Bemis Road Conservation Area, between #27 & # 31 Bemis Road

Map #3:

  • I. Sugarloaf Hill, site of a former dog pound. An excellent place to see birds, especially in the early morning.
  • J. Popular sledding hill

Map #4:

  • K. Mary statue beside the trail, origin unknown
  • L. Trail ends at the site of an old railroad bridge

Parking for Public Trail Access

Map #1:

  • P1. East entrance to Heald Street Orchard, Heald Street -
    (Look for the driveway on the left next to a grassy mound surrounded by a tall chain link fence. The grassy mound is an underground water tank, part of Pepperell’s municipal water system. Parking is grass/earth. Can be muddy. Usually plowed in the winter.)
  • P2. West entrance to Heald Street Orchard, Heald Street -
    (About 2000 feet beyond the east entrance to the Heald Street Orchard (described for P1) look for a gate next to the street. It has a sign asking people not to park in front of the gate. Parking is along the side of the street.)
  • P3. Pull-off at field along Heald Pond, Heald Street -
    (Just past #129 Heald Street look for a lane on the edge of the trees on the far side of a field with a view down to Heald Pond. There is room for about 2 cars to pull off the road onto pine needles/earth. Not plowed in the winter.
  • P4. Heald Pond shore & Jeff Smith Trail, Heald Street -
    (There is limited parking on the edge of Heald Pond and across the street at the trail entrance.)

Map #2:

  • P5. Pepperell Springs parking lot, Chestnut Street -
    (On the right just before the road surface changes to gravel. The lot is gravel and is usually plowed in the winter.)
  • P6. Pull-off, dirt Chestnut Street -
    (Turn off is on right, heading south from Oak Hill St., after the road surface changes to gravel. None of dirt Chestnut is plowed during the winter.)
  • P7. Oak Hill and dirt Chestnut intersection -
    (Park at the edge of the intersection. Not plowed in winter.)
  • P8. Nashoba Conservation Trust "Day Land" at Gulf Brook, Lawrence Street -
    (at Nashoba Conservation Trust sign)
  • P9. Bemis Road parking lot/turn-around -
    (The parking lot is at the end of the road, just before the gate for the Bemis Road Well. Please park at the far end of the lot since school buses turn around here. The lot is paved. It is usually plowed in the winter.)
  • P10. Beaver Brook land parking lot, Hollis, NH -
    (The parking lot is immediately on the right just after the Brookline St. bridge over the Nissitissit River.)

Map #3:

  • P11. Keyes Conservation Area parking lot, Oak Hill Street -
    (The parking lot is at the end of a gravel driveway. The driveway and parking lot can be muddy. They are usually plowed in the winter, but use caution, especially just after heavy storms.)

Map #4:

  • P12. Nissitissit Meadows Conservation Area parking lot, Prescott Street -
    (The parking lot is surrounded by a rail fence. It is gravel and is usually plowed in the winter.)
  • P13. Nissitissit Meadows Wildlife Management Area, street parking near Prescott Street bridge -
    (Parking is on both sides of the street, just after the bridge over the Nissitissit River.)
  • P14. Nissitissit Meadows Wildlife Management Area, off-street parking near gate, North Street -
    (The gravel driveway is on the left, just after #29 North Street. Park near the gate. The driveway is gravel. It is unlikely to be plowed in the winter.)

Printable trails maps:

Click on thumbnail images to download 8.5x11" versions of maps

Printable trails map #2
- (PDF 3.5MB)
 Printable trails map #3
- (PDF 3.5MB)
 Printable trails map #4
- (PDF 3.5MB)
Printable trails map #1
- (PDF 3.6MB)