Trustees of the Reservation spotlight: East Over Farms
Jul 4, 2020
The iconic yellow houses of East Over Farms can seen in subtle ways throughout the reservation’s landscape. Photos by: Tim Seeberger
The two miles of granite stone walls rolling along the park’s wavy hills.
Wildflowers are dotted around the reservation.
Some grow individually, while others grow in bunches.
A female Northern flicker spotted on the property. Photo by: Tim Seeberger
When the wind blows through the hayfields, one is reminded of the famous painting, “Christina’s world” by Andrew Wyeth.
ROCHESTER — With the weather heating up, residents are looking to get outside into nature. While summer is finally here, keeping safe while the coronavirus pandemic continues is still important.
At the East Over Reservation, the 40 acre property offers parkgoers both a respite in nature, and a way to keep distance from others.
The land belongs to both the town of Rochester and the Trustees of the Reservation, a nonprofit that preserves properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts for public use.
“It has a ton of natural beauty, and you can imagine its usage in the past,” said Andy Gallagher, director for the South Shore, South Coast and Cape Cod.
The land was given to the Trustees between 2004 and 2005 from the Hiller family who owns East Over Farms. They have laid claim to the farm since 1910.
The two miles of granite stone walls that cover the rolling hills once used for farming date back to the 19th century, Gallagher said.
The land is also home to bluebird nesting boxes and vernal pools where birds like the bobolink can be found.
Wild flowers are dotted with honeybees and butterflies at this time of year.
Along with the hayfields, Gallagher said that 12 acres of the property is being reclaimed as woodland for wildlife habitat.
So whether it be for bird watching or a Sunday stroll, the East Over Reservation can be a place of calm in the complex times of today.
