Thaddeus Chandler Sanctuary

14 Valley St, Duxbury, MA 02332, USA

Duxbury Conservation: (781) 934-1100 ext. 5471

Owned By: Town of Duxbury

• Directions
• Trail Map

The 115-acre Thaddeus Chandler Sanctuary in Duxbury features 2.8 miles of trails through woods and wetlands. Named for a Civil War veteran, it borders Pine Brook and Upper Chandler Pond.

It’s important to know that some of our freshwater fisheries are contaminated with mercury, PFAS and/or other concerning substances. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains an online database with up-to-date advisories regarding fish consumption, sorted by location. We recommend you consult this valuable resource when planning a fishing excursion.

Features

Thaddeus Chandler, a Civil War veteran, developed these lands in the 1900s, with cranberry bogs plus a sawmill to process wood from nearby woodlots. There are a number of manmade irrigation channels still present, but the bog areas have become considerably wooded. Wetlands are present as well. The large, well-maintained property was acquired for conservation in the 1970’s.

This land is within the region of the Patuxet Wampanoag tribe, who for centuries have inhabited the area around the Jones River now known as Duxbury, Kingston and Plymouth. To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mashpee Wampanoag and the Herring Pond Wampanoag share information on their websites.

Trail Description

From the roadside parking area, three trails are immediately visible.
• The wide, road-like, white-blazed trail leads to Upper Chandler Pond.
• The mid-width, blue-blazed trail provides a 1.3-mile loop around a large portion of the property.
• The narrower yellow-blazed trail extends through the woods to the southeastern boundary of the property, and includes several footbridges over wetlands, canals, and Pine Brook.

In addition, the red-blazed trail crosses through the middle of the property. An unmarked spur trail leads off the yellow trail to Osborn’s store. Another unmarked spur trail leads to a water tower. All of the trails (totaling 2.8 miles) are well maintained, and most are smooth and free from prominent root growth. A portion of the Bay Circuit Trail passes through this property as well.

Habitats and Wildlife

The woods within the Thaddeus Chandler Sanctuary are primarily pine, with some oak, birch, beech, maple, sweet pepper bush and greenbrier. There is a lot of moss in the wetter areas that border the northern portion of the yellow trail. There are vernal pools as well, and freshwater wetlands. Upper Chandler Pond forms the sanctuary’s western boundary. Fish commonly found in the 10-acre pond include chain pickerel and largemouth bass.

Pine Brook finds its source in Upper Chandler Pond and flows through Duxbury to Lower Chandler Pond. It continues into Kingston, flowing through Reed’s Mill Pond and eventually into the Jones River. The Jones River finds it source at Silver Lake, and extends for 7.5 miles through the town of Kingston. Follow the Jones River Watershed Association for more information.