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Forest Trails

Brockton Audubon Preserve

1160 Pleasant St, Brockton, MA 02301, USA

Wildlands Trust: 774-343-5121

https://wildlandstrust.org/brockton-audubon-preserve

Owned By: Wildlands Trust

Brockton Audubon Preserve is a 126-acre Wildlands Trust property with 3 miles of woodland trails and boardwalks, as well as old stone walls, and a 20-foot-tall glacial erratic boulder. It is located in a quiet corner of an otherwise busy urban community, on the Brockton-Easton line.

For up-to-date information and real time trail conditions, visit wildlandstrust.org/trails

Features

Because of steadily diminishing membership, the Brockton Audubon Society transferred this land to the Wildlands Trust in 2011 so that it would be protected and cared for in perpetuity. Numerous old stone walls indicate prior agricultural use. Imagine open pastures where the forest now stands!

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Trail Description

Begin at the parking area on Pleasant Street. Follow the trail through the woods. You will soon come to the start of the loop trail. Proceed to the right, and continue to the first of several benches. Soon after, some steps built into the trail lead down to a boardwalk that traverses a wetland. For a shorter walk, continue around the loop (0.80 miles total). This will take you by a very large glacial erratic boulder! There is also a 0.20-mile spur trail along the way that leads to the Hancock Elementary School. Before you get there, you’ll find a bench and a Little Free Library.

For a longer walk, just before the very large glacial erratic, bear right onto the red-blazed West Elm Connector Trail (0.65 miles). This trail features additional boardwalks, as well as old stone walls and the occasional glacial erratic boulder. It eventually comes out to a long straight dirt road. Along the way, you’ll see another trailhead at Santee Road, but you can continue all the way to the property boundary at Goldfinch Drive and West Elm Street.

The trails at Brockton Audubon are relatively flat, with the exception of the stairs mentioned above. They can also be rocky in places.

Extend your visit by continuing to Stone Farm Conservation Area, which is owned by the City of Brockton. If you exit Brockton Audubon at the Goldfinch Drive trailhead, turn left on West Elm street, and continue about 0.14 miles down the road, past Athens Drive. You’ll find the Stone Farm trailhead and property sign across the street, just inside the power easement.

Habitats and Wildlife

The forest here is relatively young (50 years). It is composed primarily of oak, beech, pine and maple, with some gray and yellow birch, slippery elm, tupelo, witch hazel, and shagbark hickory. The streams and wetlands on this property drain to Dorchester Brook, which is part of the Taunton River watershed.

  • A photograph of a informational kiosk beside a forest trail.
  • A photograph of an interpretive sign in a forest with green leaves.
  • A photograph of a boardwalk through a forest.
  • A photograph of a vernal pool in a forest.
  • A photograph of a trail through a power easement with fall leaves.
  • A photograph of a trail through a forest, with some property signs.
  • A photograph of a large glacial erratic boulder in a forest.
  • A photograph of a boardwalk through a forest with green leaves.
  • A photograph of a bench in a woodland beside a trail, with a Little Free Library.
  • A photograph of a glacial erratic boulder in a forest with interpretive signage.
  • A close-up photograph of purple flowers on the forest floor, with fall leaves.
  • A photograph of a trail through a forest. To one side, there is a bluejay on a branch.
  • A close-up photograph of a blooming tree.
  • A photograph of a tree with green leaves.
  • A photograph of a glacial erratic boulder in a light forest.
  • A photograph of a stone wall in a woodland with green leaves.
  • A photograph of a trail through a forest, bordered with greenery.
1160 Pleasant St, Brockton, MA 02301, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: No

Beach: No

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 126 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: There is a small parking lot on Pleasant Street, nearly across from Albany Street. Additional access from Goldfinch Drive and Santee Road.

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

Informational kiosk at Pleasant Street entrance, plus numerous interpretive signs along the trails and occasional benches. There is a Little Free Library and a bench on the spur trail to the school.

Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash. Scoop the poop!

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: No

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Dorchester Brook (Taunton River watershed)

Other Things to Do at This Site

Cross-country Skiing
Hiking