Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Cranberry Bog Reservation
Wetland paths on causeways and peninsulas at the head of the old Carlisle cranberry bogs, with a wide, flat trail to a small dam and otters and herons.
Written for ages 3–12.
Researched from this park's own sources. Nobody's walked it yet.
Read this bit out
Just over the town line in Carlisle, people grew cranberries for more than a hundred years, and growing cranberries means flooding the field on purpose. This end held the water: a small dam kept it back, and many of the paths you will walk are causeways running straight out across it. The last harvest was in 2015. Beavers, otters and herons live here.
One of your three free places, or the Explorer Pass. What that costs
Before you go
- Time there
- Plan on about an hour and a half at the park.
- Parking
- Lot at 60 Elm Street. Open dawn to dusk.
- Underfoot
- A wide, flat trail out to the dam, with more running along causeways across the water. Much of it is wetland, so expect wet ground right beside the path.
- Stroller
- A stroller works on some of it.
24 challenges written for this place
A game deals seven to fifteen of them, so no two visits are alike.
6 things to spot, 4 things growing and 3 things to climb, cross or balance on.
Every game includes this one
The Little Dam
Follow the wide flat trail until you reach the small dam. Stand where you can see water on both sides of it.
A few of the others
Water Both Sides
Find a stretch of path with water on your left and water on your right, and walk all the way along it.
Out Into The Water
Find a piece of land that sticks out into the water, and walk to the end of it.
No Hills At All
Walk a hundred steps without going up or down once. The trail out to the dam is wide and flat.
Berries In Water
Cranberries were grown just over the town line by flooding the ground on purpose, and this end held the water. Work out why a farmer would want a field full of water.
Two Towns, One Bog
Half of this place is in Chelmsford and half is in Carlisle. Decide where you think the line runs, then argue about it.
Before You Were Born
The town bought this in 1986. Work out how many years ago that was, and who here had not been born yet.
The rest are a surprise — that's the whole point.
Also around Chelmsford
Russell Mill Pond & Town Forest
Chelmsford
132 acres of alternating oak and pine with 3,000 feet of shore on Russell Mill Pond, and a big trail network shared with mountain bikers.
Thanksgiving Ground Forest
Chelmsford
Forty-five acres of ledge and giant glacial boulders on the west bank of Russell Mill Pond, named for the town's old Thanksgiving Day fox hunt.
Play this at Cranberry Bog Reservation
Free. Works with no signal once you're there.