Tripps Pond Footbridge Update

A long-awaited footbridge over Hog Brook is one step closer to reality. When built, it will finally complete the trail loop around Tripps Pond, and the Hudson Land Trust (HLT) is the catalyst in bringing the neighborhood, town officials, and professionals together to is make it happen.

On February 10th HLT introduced the professional team to the Hudson Park Commission, which voted to move the project forward. Leading the work are Northeast Trailworks, B&C Associates, and Thomas Land Surveyors.

Commission Approval and Next Steps

With the Commissioner’s approval, HLT is expected to work closely with the Recreation Department to complete a concept plan detailing the preliminary design and wetland permit application. Approval of the concept plan will enable the project to move into the permitting phase.

The Team

Northeast Trailworks (Beverly, MA) brings trail design expertise to lead site planning and the Notice of Intent application. B&C Associates, Hudson’s own wetland biology firm, will shepherd that application through the Conservation Commission. Thomas Land Surveyors (Marlborough) rounds out the team with the precise site documentation needed for permitting.

Mapping and Preparation

At last May’s Hudson Annual Town Meeting, funding was approved via the Community Preservation Committee to create a base map of Lamson Park. This map includes contour elevations and wetland delineations. The base map was completed marking an essential first step toward the footbridge and trail renovations.

Community Engagement and Habitat Restoration

This spring, HLT will support the neighborhood park clean-up. With assistance from HLT plant biologists and the invasive species removal team, efforts will focus on trash removal, identify invasive species, and clear dead brush surrounding Tripps Pond.

Funding Details

HLT has secured the necessary funds to support this phase, covering professional services for the Park Commission. Funding has been raised through Lamson Park Conservancy membership fees and local donations dedicated to the footbridge project and revitalization of Lamson Park. Major donors include Murphy Insurance and Avidia Bank. 

Please consider supporting this project by making a tax deductible donation here.

Story Walk. Hudson Land Trust.

New Book on the Story Walk

It’s cool in the woods, the ferns along the trail are beautiful, and the Hudson Public Library has provided a new book on the Story Walk trail at the Old North Road Conservation Area. It’s a really pretty place to walk, and the story “Have You Seen Gordon” is a lot of fun to read to your little ones and a great story for early readers.

No kids? Bring your leashed dog. No dog either? Just come to see one of the open spaces that the Town has conserved.

Go here for directions and information about the trail.

 

Garlic mustard and skunk cabbage along the Assabet River Nature Trail

Removing Garlic Mustard on the Assabet River Nature Trail

Close-up of garlic mustard in bloomgarlic mustard leaves and flowers

Today (May 11th) we removed a huge bag of invasive garlic mustard from the Assabet River Nature Trail on the walk out to the Fossile Property.

If you see a tall plant with large triangular-shaped leaves with teethy edges. with small, white, four-petaled flowers in clusters at the top of the stems, PULL IT UP!!  Their roots are generally quite shallow, so they should pull out easily. Then BAG THEM and put them in the TRASH. Don’t leave them on the ground or put them in a compost pile where they will go to seed and spread further. 

Tripps Pond Clean-up

Thanks to the crew that came to pick up trash and remove invasive plants from the Maple Street side of the parkland at Tripps Pond. Thanks to the many neighborhood residents, members of the Conservation Commission, the Hudson Land Trust and members of Green Hudson who spent several hours on Saturday helping to keep Hudson’s parkland beautiful. Don’t forget the Town-wide Clean-up Day on April 26th. Information at https://greenhudson.org/town-wide-clean-up-day/