A Stroll Along Concord River: The Ecological and Historical Significance of October Farm Riverfront

By Laney Wilder

Concord’s October Farm Riverfront is a special place. Its 80 acres include more than a mile of river frontage, where the Concord River makes its great bend and turns to the north around Ball’s Hill. More than 100 years ago, noted ornithologist William Brewster purchased this land to save it from the developer’s axe, but it was not finally protected in perpetuity until 2016, when the Concord Land Conservation Trust and the Town of Concord teamed up to acquire the property with the generous support of many private donors and town and state funds.

October Farm has important historical significance. It is one of five sites where Concord’s original pre-Algonquian inhabitants hunted, fished, and gathered and the only one of those five identified in a survey by the Concord Historical Commission as “undisturbed.” Henry David Thoreau records a visit to October Farm in A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, and William Brewster’s stone boathouse and cabin foundation can still be seen along the river trail, where Brewster and his assistant, Robert A. Gilbert, loved to observe the variety of birds. The property also supports a wonderful array of ecological diversity. With varying topography, ample water, and riverfront habitats, the biodiversity at this site is remarkable. Nine certified vernal pools are important breeding grounds for amphibians and state-listed species of concern. The sandy slopes, low wet areas, and high dry eskers created during the ice age support a variety of tree, shrub and herbaceous species that call October Farm home.

©Concord Land Conservation Trust

A network of trails, suited for walking, running, crosscountry skiing, and horseback riding, extends throughout the property. The steep slopes allow for vigorous hikes, yet a flat trail offers an easy and beautiful stroll along the river for the whole family. A trail map and more information about October Farm Riverfront can be found on the Concord Land Conservation Trust’s website, concordland.org. October Farm Riverfront is also included in Ecology along Concord Trails, a book published this spring offering more details about the trails and the natural resources at the site. It’s available for purchase at the Concord Visitor Center (please call first at 978-318-3061 to make sure someone is in the office).

Map by Joan Ferguson

©Concord Land Conservation Trust

The Concord Land Conservation Trust depends on the support of members to acquire, steward, and protect special places like October Farm Riverfront. Please join us in continuing to preserve critical open spaces, and care for them, by becoming a member today. Visit our website for more information on ways to give. concordland.org.

Laney Wilder is the executive director for the Concord Land Conservation Trust and an enthusiastic botanist. She holds a master’s degree in plant biology and conservation, with a focus on rare species and land stewardship. Laney is passionate about protecting and caring for natural and historical lands in light of our changing landscapes and connecting people with nature.

Find more fascinating articles in the complete 2021 Guide to the Great Outdoors here: discoverconcordma.com.