Donald

A public trail through the private Donald land connects to the adjacent Acton Arboretum’s main trail loops at several points, allowing visitors to enjoy wooded wetlands and wildlife as well as the historic stone walls that run alongside the trail. For much of its length, the trail follows an esker (or ridge) that creates a drainage divide between cattail marsh to the west and other wetlands and bog to the east. The Acton Arboretum offers a wonderful mix of planted gardens with natural areas.

Full Description

Stone walls mark the eastern, northern, and western boundaries of the conservation restriction (CR) donated to SVT by James and Mary Donald in 2001. Their gift created a new access point to the adjacent Acton Arboretum. SVT is responsible for annually monitoring the Donald land to ensure its conservation values are being protected. 

  • A trail through the Donald land connects to the Arboretum’s main trail loops at several points, allowing visitors to enjoy wooded wetlands and wildlife as well as the historic stone walls that run alongside the trail.  
  • For much of its length, the trail follows an esker (or ridge) that creates a drainage divide between cattail marsh to the west and other wetlands and bog to the east.  
  • The Acton Arboretum offers a wonderful mix of planted gardens with natural areas. Much of the open area near the Taylor Road entrance is handicapped accessible and includes herb, hosta, and butterfly gardens, as well as daylily and rhododendron plantings.
  • Acton Arboretum also features a lilac fragrance garden, a wildflower loop trail, pond plantings, Japanese larches, and a nut tree collection. Picnic tables and benches welcome visitors.  
  • The Highland/Bog Trail follows old farm roads, cow paths, and foot trails and is not handicapped accessible. 

Directions

With mapping software, search for this address:
10 Taylor Road, Acton, MA

Google Maps directions from any starting location.

From Route 2 in Acton, take Exit 117. Follow Route 27 north toward Acton for approximately 0.7 miles. Take a sharp right onto Taylor Road. Go 0.1 mile. Parking is on the left at the Acton Arboretum.

Nearby Nature Sightings

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An eastern bluebird at the Acton Arboretum, photographed by Joan Chasan.
Joan Chasan photographed these eastern bluebirds at the Acton Arboretum.
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A song sparrow at SVT's Donald CR in Acton, photographed by Gail Sartori.
Gail Sartori photographed this song sparrow at SVT's Donald CR in Acton.
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Slime mold at the Acton Arboretum, photographed by William Watt.
William Watt photographed slime mold at the Acton Arboretum .