Carolina Hill Reservation - North and South Rivers Watershed Association

758 Main St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA

Owned By: Town of Marshfield

With a total of 775 acres, this is Marshfield’s largest conservation property. There is an established trail network through forested uplands and freshwater wetlands, plus two of the highest elevations in town. Popular with mountain bikers. Direct access to Marshfield’s Bridle Path & Rail Trail.

Hunting is not allowed at Carolina Hill Reservation, or at any of Marshfield’s other conservation properties.

Features

Efforts to acquire this large property commenced in 1973. The first land purchase was made in 1974, with another, smaller acquisition in 1976. Through the decades since, numerous small parcels have been added. The Carolina Hill Conservation Area is also sometimes known as Harrington’s Wilderness, in honor of H. Warren Harrington, the town’s longtime Conservation Agent.

This land is within the region of the Massachuseuk (or Massachusett) Native American tribe.

Trail Description

This is a very large property with an elaborate network of trails. Some of the trails lead up and down the steep hills along Route 3A in the Furnace Brook watershed. They are narrow and rugged, and at times require careful footwork. Other trails extend along the course of a wide, sandy utility corridor. Still others are of medium width and a more forgiving grade. All are set within a forested upland. Some trails are marked with blazes. Carrying a map is highly recommended.

A long section of Marshfield’s Bridle Path & Rail Trail runs through this property, near the eastern boundary.

Habitats and Wildlife

Look for freshwater wetlands and vernal pools in the lowland areas. These are important to spotted salamanders and spring peepers, along with other amphibian species.

The western slopes of Carolina Hill are part of the Furnace Brook Watershed. Furnace Brook finds its source in springs located on from lands just south of Pine Street. It flows south along the base of Carolina Hill through the Furnace Brook Watershed Conservation Area, through Furnace Pond and Parsons Pond, and eventually into the South River at a tiny property known as South River Junctions, just upstream of Veterans Memorial Park.