**December 2022 Update: Bates is currently open. The GCT is pleased to announce that we have been awarded two grants to help us complete work as part of a comprehensive four year project to improve safety, accessibility, and usage of this flagship property. Much of this work has been completed and the property is open with an expanded parking area, an accessible parking space, a new accessible trail, and restored meadows. Work will resume in Spring 2023 to complete the accessible trail, install new accessible picnic tables, and complete safety updates to the main trail. There will be brief closures when the work is completed. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for a full description of the project.

Bates Land

This property consists or two connected parcels, one of 38.5 acres given by Natica Bates in 1968, and the other of approximately 10 acres donated by Arthur and Camilla Blackman in 1984.

The entrance is on Old Ayer Road, a short distance from Route 119 and an easy walk or bicycle ride from the Town center. There is off-road parking for several cars. After crossing James Brook , the trail proceeds on level land past two fields, the Harvey Whitehill Memorial picnic area in a pine grove, and Cady Pond Brook. After a sharp tum to the right. the trail skirts the edge of a vernal pool before entering a steep climb of 180 feel to the top of Indian Hill. There a spectacular view opens up towards the west across fields and orchards, affording a clear view of Mt. Wachusett on a good day. As the trail progresses, views open to Temple Mountain and Monadnock in the northwest.

AL the top. the trail opens to the south as well, affording one of the finest panoramas in eastern Massachusetts with views spanning from Monadnock to the ridges in Harvard and toward Boston in the south east. The trail then opens into a broad field and continues on the southerly slope along markers down a mowed path through the field. pa t a few old growth peach and apple trees to Indian Hill Road. To return to the entrance, one can turn right and walk along Indian Hill Road 10 the intersection with Old Ayer Road and, turning right. follow that road back Lo the parking place.

The distance from the parking area to the top of the hill is 0.8 miles; a circuit walk returning via Indian Hill and Old Ayer Road is a total of 1.8 miles. The Bates / Blackman lands, with their variations in elevation, exposure and openness, support a wide range of animals, birds, reptiles and vegetation. Deer, coyote, fox, porcupine, hawk, heron and spotted salamander are just a few of the possible wildlife sightings.

**2022/2023 Bates-Blackman Restoration Project

The Groton Conservation Trust (GCT) is engaged in a four year plan to enhance community accessibility for its flagship property. Over the past three years, GCT has begun to restore and improve this property. Volunteers have cleared an extensive overgrowth of invasive plants from around an existing picnic area to open views across the adjoining stream and meadows, worked on improving the trails, and have begun restoring and upgrading the meadows to encourage native plants. Work began in Summer 2022 with the largest and final phase. While the initial phases of this project have been completed substantially by volunteers and donated equipment, most of the remaining work requires the support of professional vendors and additional materials costs. The GCT has been awarded two grants to support the completion of this project: the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts has awarded the GCT with a grant of $7,500 through its Environmental Preservation and Animal Welfare Program; and voters in Groton approved a grant of $39,545 from the town’s Community Preservation Fund at the April 30, 2022 town meeting.

The final phase of the project includes the following elements:

1. Expand parking and reorganize entrance, including the addition of an accessible parking space
2. Replace the bridge adjacent to the parking area over James Brook
3. Install a six foot wide accessible path to the picnic area
4. Install accessible picnic tables
5. Improve the trail from the meadows to the top of the drumlin to mitigate hazardous spots
6. Control invasives and reseed the meadows with wildflowers and native grasses
7. Create grass walking paths through the meadow areas to better experience the native plantings and animal habitat
8. Install benches at the top of the drumlin with views to the west across North
   Central Massachusetts into New Hampshire

Our sincere hope is that the entire community benefits from the improvements and expanded access to nature and the outdoors, in particular people with mobility restrictions. This parcel is one of our most popular due to its natural beauty and proximity to the town center. The expansion of trails, seating, and safety will enhance the visiting experience for all.