West Meadow Road
Site of the Orchard Loop Trail at the south end of property.
Trailhead Location: At the north end of Lauren Way, Lowell. Street parking available. Once at north end of Lauren Way, locate fire hydrant and turn left around drainage ditch, toward forest. See trail map for visual details. Please, be courteous to local residents when accessing trailhead.
The West Meadow Conservation Land is perhaps the most serene scene in the entire city of Lowell. Somewhat rectagular in shape, each end of the property is forested with tall white pine trees, ferns, Canada Mayflowers, and an otherwise ongoing variety of vegetation making this property biologically diverse. The forested north and south ends are split by a sandy barren at the property's middle section. The vegetation in the mid-section is gradually regenerating a variety of mosses, forbs, shrubs and tree with the mitigation of motor vehicle activities.
This property is of particular importance, as it serves as a wildlife corridor between several wetlands (including the Merrimack River) and the adjacent Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest. The property is also home to a small vernal pool and a perenial stream which eventually reaches Flagg Brook and eventually the Merrimack River.
Scenic fern glade during summer at north end of property.
Get Involved
Volunteers play a critical role in helping us care for and monitor our properties. If you would like more information about any of the properties or would like to volunteer as a land steward, please let us know (978)934-0030. Action projects, in addition to regular site monitoring, on this property could include:
- Basic Landscaping
- Gardening
- Litter Collection
Above: Mid-section of property is impacted by use of motor vehicles. Signage is in place to deter such activities so that vegetation may regenerate.
West Meadow as an Outdoor Classroom
You can also learn about the Trust's West Meadow Conservation Land by viewing the associated vernal pool ecological inventory (PDF) created by youth in Citizen Schools (Robinson M.S.), and, trail map and interpretive trail guide (PDF) created by youth in Spindle City Corps (August 2009).
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