Local hiking trails in the Shrewsbury area offer residents great recreational opportunities
Top-Notch Trails in Our Own Back Yards
Maribeth Lynch, Thrive Real Estate Specialists
New England is such a vibrant landscape in any season, but mild summer days seem as though they were made to spend outdoors. One of the greatest pleasures for me during warm weather is a pleasant hike in the countryside.
Fortunately, those of us in Northborough, Shrewsbury, and surrounding towns don’t have to travel far for some scenic and invigorating hikes – and hiking isn’t the only pastime for trail lovers. Every season brings something different to the region, from nature walks and wildlife spotting to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
The Northborough Trails Committee (NTC) maintains a trail system throughout Northborough. A map of the trails network is available online. Trails range from a boardwalk through wetland meadow in the Little Chauncey and Cedar Hill trails areas to watershed vistas at the Carney Park and Cold Harbor trails. Nature lovers can even download audio guides from the NTC website.
One of my current favorite hiking destinations is Northborough’s Mt. Pisgah Trails Area. Mt. Pisgah is the highest point in Northborough, and on a clear day, there are scenic views to the east – it’s even possible to see Boston’s skyscrapers. Much of the area is conservation land that serves as a home to a range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, an abundance of birds, and even the occasional moose or black bear.
The Mt. Pisgah area encompasses land in Berlin, Bolton, and Boylston as well as Northborough. Summer Star Wildlife Sanctuary in Boylston is adjacent to Mt. Pisgah and features a 1.5-mile trail loop of its own; half a mile of this loop is handicapped-accessible. The sanctuary also includes the Trailhead House, which was built with an eye toward sustainability and includes a gallery with rotating exhibits and programs.
Northborough is not home to the only nearby trail network. New England is teeming with hiking destinations, and other nearby communities provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and walking. The Shrewsbury Trails Committee sponsors guided walks on town trails. Shrewsbury’s trail sites include Lake St. Street Park, Carlstrom Memorial Forest, Jordan Pond, and Prospect Park.
Westborough residents can explore the Charm Bracelet, a trail network that includes a 28-mile loop trail with interconnecting side trails that join up with open spaces, schools, and neighborhoods. Trail maps for the Charm Bracelet and other Westborough trails can be found online, and there’s something for everyone, from dog walking at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to a butterfly garden in the Headwaters Conservation Area.
View The Charm Bracelet Trail Map
As a Massachusetts resident, I feel fortunate to live in a region that is so diverse in natural beauty – there really is something amazing to behold in every season and for every interest. And the best part? There are so many opportunities to “get back to nature” just footsteps away.
Would you like to know more about buying a home in Shrewsbury, Northborough or Westbrorough? Visit the Thrive Real Estate Specialists for more information!
“Anthony’s advice and assurances during these times helped us achieve another record-breaking year, states Maribeth Lynch, Founder of Thrive Real Estate and Lamacchia Realty REALTOR®.
“When the opportunity to merge with Lamacchia arose, the timing was perfect. We knew both our clients and agents would benefit from this partnership, allowing everyone to THRIVE. Having gotten to know the leadership team at Lamacchia has made our decision to merge with them an easy one. Our values are very much aligned, and we know that offering their robust marketing and training will benefit both our clients as well as our beloved agents.”
Along with Maribeth and Rick, five REALTORS® will join Lamacchia Realty, including
Briana Willander,
Ashley Davidson,
Whitney Andrews,
Mike Andrews, and
Tracey Calo. REALTORS® of Thrive are like-minded professionals who work in unison and pride themselves on local knowledge and creative problem-solving, all for the benefit of clients.
As the broker-owner of Thrive Real Estate Specialists, Maribeth has been and will continue to be devoted to serving both her clients and her community with integrity, sincerity, and a can-do attitude. Her firm welcomes opportunities to give back and be charitable in meaningful ways and Maribeth believes in the importance of service. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women selected her as a 2022 recipient of The Commonwealth Heroes Award, and she was a 2021 recipient of the Gratitude Project Award from the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®.
“We are so happy to have Maribeth, Rick, and the rest of the Thrive group joining forces with the company, states Jackie Louh, Chief Operating Officer, Lamacchia Realty. “Maribeth is a well-known and respected Broker in Worcester County, and we are honored that she chose Lamacchia. We are excited to grow even more in that area and Maribeth is the perfect person to help us do just that!”
Maribeth along with the REALTORS® at Thrive Real Estate has been involved with many organizations over the years, most recently: REALTOR® Association of Central Mass- Committee Chairman, Broker/Owner Task Force, REALTOR® Association of Central Massachusetts- Board of Directors 2025, Shrewsbury Zoning Board of Appeals, Chairman, Shrewsbury Town Center Association, Founding Member, Shrewsbury Yuletide/Light the Commons, Committee Member, among many more. In addition to being involved, they also advertise and support the College of the Holy Cross where Thrive is prominently displayed on scoreboards and other places.
Lamacchia Realty’s already very aggressive marketing campaign in the region will dramatically boost the company’s market reach and help add more top-rated REALTORS® to the Shrewsbury office. The marketing plan features billboards on Route 9 and other major roadways, social media posts, postcards, newspaper ads, and much more.
All home buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords, REALTORS®, and other brokerages in the area should know that it is business as usual at the company. There will be no interruptions in service to any clients anywhere. In the weeks to come Lamacchia’s management team and staff will work with Maribeth, Rick, and all the REALTORS® at Thrive who are now Lamacchia Realtors to slowly implement Lamacchia’s suite of lead products, services, training, technology, and more.
This marks Lamacchia Realty’s ninth acquisition in Massachusetts in the past year with the prior acquisitions in Pittsfield with Home Sweet Home Real Estate, Dalton with Berkshire Dream Home, Easton with Briarwood Real Estate, Auburn with Emerson Realtors, Springfield with Sears Real Estate, Falmouth with Foley Real Estate, Fall River with Right Choice Real Estate, and Seekonk with Keystone Property Group. Lamacchia Realty is excited to bring on even more REALTORS® in MetroWest and Central Massachusetts markets in the weeks and months to come.
As a full-service, value-based brokerage, Lamacchia Realty’s mission is to empower its staff, REALTORS®, and clients to achieve success. The company provides unmatched training, systems, and technology, equipping employees with the tools they need to thrive and grow in their roles. Lamacchia Realty takes great pride in its strong culture of support, which has contributed to an impressively high retention rate. Culture is at the heart of the company, with every staff member and agent playing an integral role in maintaining and enhancing it, helping them continue to grow!
