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Stoneymeade Conservation Land
Stoneymeade Conservation Land was donated to the town in 1989. Located off Pope Road in East Acton, this conservation area borders conservation land in the town of Concord. Stoneymeade’s 44.5 acres preserves one of the largest remaining open fields in Acton, but it is also a mix of fields, small streams, and bordering woods. The distant vistas seen from the main field encompass a small pond surrounded by marshy growth, more fields beyond, a horse farm with corrals, and forestland on the far edge. Much of what can be seen here is in Concord, but the boundary between the two towns is seamless, enabling both towns to enjoy this tranquil open area. On the Acton side, the field is kept open by mowing late each fall to prevent forest succession from occurring. Stoneymeade’s main entrance is from the far side of Stoneymeade Way, off Pope Road, where a prominent sign marks the beginning of an access trail. A short walk along this pleasant, tree-shaded path brings one to the large open field that makes up most of the Stoneymeade Conservation Land. A large, stately oak tree surrounded by ledge stands in the center of the field. The other access is from the town of Concord. The distance from the entrance on Stoneymeade Way to the boundary with Concord is only 0.4 mile. The trail to the north by the horse farm is the start of ‘The Hunt.’ This trail crosses the Stoneymeade field and enters the forest to the east, where it joins Concord’s Spencer Brook Trail and eventually enters Estabrook Woods Conservation Land, also in Concord. In the Acton portion, as the land is so open, the paths are not blazed. The footpath is easily seen and followed through the meadow vegetation. Except for the access in to the field, there are no trails through the woods on the Acton side. Stoneymeade conservation area is home to many species of birds. Among those that can be observed raising their young here are scarlet tanagers, red-winged blackbirds down beside the marshy margin of the pond, and tree swallows. Year-round resident species such as chickadees, robins, and titmice also make Stoneymeade their summer home. The Acton Bluebird Recovery Group’s concerted efforts to encourage bluebirds to reestablish after years of decline resulted in a successful nesting pair at Stoneymeade in 1999. Several pairs of bluebirds now nest here annually, as well as a pair of bobolinks.
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