Beals Preserve CR

Southborough Open Land Foundation’s (SOLF) Beals Preserve lies among a complex of protected lands that also include The Trustees’ Chestnut Hill Farm, state-owned Sudbury Reservoir Watershed Protection lands, and further lands protected by SOLF and SVT.

Much of the conserved land in this area is a result of the Beals family purchasing property in the 1960s to protect it from development. The family permanently protected part of the land by donating the 3.4-acre Triangle Meadow and a 48-acre conservation restriction (CR), both to SVT.

In 2006, the residents of Southborough voted to purchase a CR on 130 acres of the Beals family's Chestnut Hill Farm, north of Main Street. The funds needed to purchase this community treasure were raised through a grant from the state and through private fundraising by SVT and SOLF. Ownership of Chestnut Hill Farm has since been transferred to The Trustees of Reservations.

The family also donated the 58-acre Beals Preserve to SOLF, with a CR held by SVT. Like SVT, SOLF is a private nonprofit land trust. SOLF owns and maintains the Beals Preserve.

In addition to the connections in this neighborhood, the Boroughs Loop Trail also passes along and through the Beals Preserve, and connects open space in Southborough, Westborough, Northborough, and Marlborough along a 33-mile loop.

Please note: Some of these lands are still working farms. Please stay on marked trails and stay away from any livestock or farm equipment. Please do not enter areas marked as private.

• Trails at the Beals Preserve pass through meadows and woodlands, alongside a pond, and over the Wachusett Aqueduct. This portion of the aqueduct, which runs to the Sudbury Reservoir, has been out of service since 2005.
• The main trail at the Beals Preserve leads south down an old farm lane lined with beautiful stone walls. It passes a small “ice pond” dating back to when the land was a working farm. The farm lane ends at the cul-de-sac at Red Gate Lane.
• The Lone Wolf Trail, Riding Ring Trail, and Hickory Trail allow walkers to further explore the Beals Preserve.
• Trails at the nearby Chestnut Hill Farm lead visitors past fields and pastures, into upland forests, and along wetlands.
• The state’s Biodiversity Day was held here in June 2005, and volunteers recorded an amazing total of 425 species.
• During the tally, 123 species of wildflowers, 73 of trees and shrubs, and 47 of birds, some especially attracted to the open grasslands, were counted.

With mapping software, search for this address: 148 Main Street, Southborough, MA.

For directions from any starting point, visit Google Maps.

From Route I-495, take Exit 59A to Route 9 east toward Framingham. Go approximately 2.0 miles. Turn left onto Route 85 north toward Southborough. Go 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Route 30 west toward Westborough. Go 1.25 miles. The Beals Preserve parking area is in the field on the left, marked by a sign along the road.