Conservation director promotes recreation

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May 9, 2007

April Guilmet

You don't have to film a reality-television show to use Andover conservation land. But few other people ever do.

With summer fast approaching, conservation director Robert Douglas is hoping to change that. He is even looking to add family campsites to select areas.

Andover currently owns about 2,000 acres of conservation land -- including the recent Town Meeting acquisition of 11 acres off Jenkins Road. Residents also have access to 1,000 acres and 30 miles of trails controlled by the Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS). Another 3,000 acres make up Harold Parker State Forest, which spreads to parts of Andover, North Andover, Middleton and North Reading.

The possibilities for hikes are almost endless, Douglas said, but few residents take advantage. Most days, you could walk for hours and never see another soul.

But residents are welcome to walk their dogs, to picnic, to ride their horses or paddle their canoes and kayaks in conservation areas.

"We're in the fledgling stages of allowing camping on conservation land," Douglas said, noting the camping permit given to Andover High students who camped out on Foster's Island for their version of "Survivor" last weekend (see story in Arts & Entertainment, Page 19.)

Traditionally, local Scout groups have been allowed to camp on conservation land in areas such as the Deer Jump and Harold Rafton reservations, both of which are run by AVIS.

"But we want to open it up to family camping as well," Douglas said.

Soon after accepting his current position, Douglas said he met with local outdoorsman Alan French, owner of Moor & Mountain and trail overseer for the Andover Trails Committee.

"We (then) identified it as a priority for local people to take advantage of the great wild lands in Andover and begin a camping program (on conservation land)," Douglas said.

As the result, he's now enlisted local Eagle Scout and Andover High School junior Stephen Moore to help clear areas along the Shawsheen River.

"We envision having fire circles in each of the camping areas," Douglas said, though he added that fires will likely be limited to small cooking fires.

Stephen was unavailable for comment on deadline, but his father said he met with Douglas, visiting the intended campsites off Tewksbury Street.

"It's going to be a very interesting project, he'll be clearing out the waterfront area along the river," Moore said. "It's beautiful, pristine land that almost looks like Canada."

A dock for canoes may be added to the site, though the project isn't expected to begin until late summer or early fall, Moore said. Until then, camping is permitted at Harold Parker State Forest.

Green light for a visit

Looking for a nice place to enjoy lunch al fresco? Or the perfect place for a Mother's Day stroll? We asked two Andover outdoor experts for their picks.

Al French said one of his favorite picnicking spots was the Mary French Reservation (named for his late wife), located off Korinthian Way. Bordering the Scug River, the 15-acre park has a wooden bog bridge and boardwalk for hikers.

"It's a pocket park, with a memorial bench," French said. "Small, but beautiful."

But French considers the Ward Reservation to be "the gem of the area."

The 695-acre trustee-owned reservation boasts 13 miles of trails. Half of the park is in Andover, while the other half is in North Andover. "If you had to ask me for my one favorite place, I'd say this is my favorite," French said.

Conservation commission secretary Linda Cleary said her favorite outdoor spots in town were the Deer Jump Reservation and the town-owned Robert A. Pustell Reservation, located off Ballardvale Road, near the Sunset Rock Road intersection.

"People have spotted eagles there," Cleary said about Deer Jump. "These areas are (both) just wonderful to be on. There's wet meadows, riverfront, forest and streams."

MAPPING ANDOVER'S TRAILS

The Andover Trail Guide, which is published by Andover Village Improvement Society and the Andover Trails Committee, is available for purchase at Moor & Mountain, Rocky's Ace Hardware and the Andover Book Store. The guide includes all of Andover's conservation trails as well as AVIS trails and Harold Parker State Forest Trails. Visit www.andovertrails.org.

What's allowed

Bicycles: Mountain bikes aren't permitted on AVIS trails, but are allowed at others.

Motorized recreational vehicles: Not permitted.

Fires: Not without a permit.

Camping: Right now, only at Harold Parker (with the exception of scouting groups).

Hunting: Not allowed on AVIS and town-owned trails, but allowed at Harold Parker in select areas.

Fishing: Allowed with state license.