Features

Pause in this quiet meadow, full of swaying native grasses, for a picnic after your walk.

Though the trails at Bryant Farm are relatively short, its convenient location gives you great options to explore. With its close proximity to Wareham Center, locals can use this property for a quick jaunt to catch a breath of fresh air during a busy day. Or, combine a visit with a longer hike through the miles of trails at William Minot Forest, located just across Minot Avenue.

Tucked beside a bend in the Agawam River, the forests and wetlands at Bryant Farm were protected in 2004 thanks to the combined efforts of the Buzzards Bay Coalition, the town of Wareham, and the Wareham Land Trust. This effort saved this parcel of land from development during a period of real estate growth, helping to reduce pollution to the Agawam River.

Trails

Visitors can reach Bryant Farm via the William Minot Forest trail, which starts at the parking lot behind Minot Elementary School. Take the trail at the top of the stairs and follow its right hand fork. Follow the next right fork to head parallel to Minot Avenue, and another right fork after the trail slopes downhill and towards the road. Cross Minot Ave carefully, as it can be a busy road, and you’ll find the gated entrance to Bryant Farm on the other side. (Download trail map)

The trail then heads beneath a corridor of power lines and across abandoned railroad tracks. Here, you’ll find yourself in a quiet pine and oak wood surrounded by a carpet of teaberry.

This section of trail offers two short forks for you to explore. Take the quarter-mile left-hand fork to walk parallel to the power lines, past a cattail-filled marsh and sandy grasslands. The trail will come out next to the Golf Shots Driving Range. Alternately, take the right hand fork to walk an eighth of a mile through dense trees, and end your walk in a breezy meadow— a perfect spot for a picnic.

Habitats & Wildlife

Bryant Farm’s open fields, forest, and wetlands provide a safe and productive environment for several threatened and endangered species. Fresh water from the Agawam River flushes through its wetlands with the tides in Buzzards Bay, a change that is essential for certain plant species. Indeed, six rare aquatic plants have been documented at or near this conservation land. At the northern edge of the border of Bryant Farm, frontage on the Agawam protects a river herring population, one of the largest around Buzzards Bay.

As you’re walking the trails, small animals are a standout, such as songbirds calling from the trees and chipmunks scurrying through the undergrowth. Vibrant mushrooms sprout from the sides of fallen trees and add a pop of bright orange and cream to the landscape. Woodland corridors like these are essential to preserving wildlife diversity, as they connect isolated habitat areas.

Property Owned By

Town of Wareham