Corey-Bourquin Field

Year Acquired / 2006

Size / 23 acres

Trails / easy loop trail

Properties / 4

The Corey-Bourquin Field is an intrinsic part of the historic and agricultural landscape along Barrett’s Mill Road. Its fields and woodlands provide a fitting backdrop to the Colonial-era houses within the Barrett’s Mill Historic District. Once used to grow strawberries and asparagus at the turn of the last century, the fields are now managed for hay production.

Through the generosity of the sisters who owned this property, Rosita Corey and Elizabeth Corey Bourquin, CLCT was able to purchase the property for far less than its assessed value. The sisters grew up in the adjacent farmhouse and bought the backland in 1967 to prevent its development as a residential subdivision; in allowing CLCT to acquire it, they protected it twice over!

Features

Expansive views of hayfield, Barred Owl habitat

Trail Conditions

Level walk, some wet areas

Entrances / parking

Park on the shoulder on the northside of Barrett’s Mill Road, between house #222 and #268.

Trail begins at the left (west) end of the split rail fence.

Download map for Corey Bourquin Field

Explore Corey-Bourquin Field

Corey-Bourquin Land

From Barrett’s Mill Road, the first segment of the trail follows the edge of a hayfield that opens out behind these houses, providing a long vista to the east. In the past, farmers grew strawberries and asparagus on these sandy loam soils; currently, a local farmer produces hay here.

A side trail leads into the northwest corner of the property over a cedar plank bridge, entering a seasonal wetland system that developed on the flat slopes next to a tributary stream to Spencer Brook. Here can be found red maples, skunk cabbage, ferns, and, unexpectedly, spruce trees. Back on the main trail, look for the gravel ‘borrow’ pits that are reminders of the agricultural use of this land, before returning to the hayfield.

As one enters the woods and walks in a counter-clockwise direction, the trail parallels the hayfield, passing through a second growth pine woods. Turning north, it dips down toward a hardwood swamp to the right. Note the large patches of haircap moss that carpet the forest floor as the trail turns west, passing a former open field, now overgrown.

Corey Meadow

Corey Meadow is a lovely 3.5 acre meadow was donated to CLCT by Dorothy Corey (mother of the sisters who donated the Corey-Bourquin Field) in 1983 and 1985. It extends from Barrett’s Mill Road to the Assabet River.