"Fave Run" of the Week - Norris Reservation

One of the more scenic locations for an Easy trail run can be found in Norwell's Norris Reservation.  Just outside the center of town, the 129 acre park holds two ponds and is bordered on its south and east by the North River.  The terrain among the tall white pines is soft and offers some challenging hills.  A long boardwalk circles much of the Gordon Pond Trail Loop.  There are trail maps available at the site or can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.thetrustees.org/assets/documents/places-to-visit/trailmaps/Norris-Reservation-Trail-Map.pdf

If you incorporate the Gordon Pond and McMullen Trails to the River Loop Trail you have a loop of precisely 2 Miles.  The beauty of the park will draw you back for another loop or two.  Along the way you have Gordon Pond (Picture 1); the boardwalk accessed by a short bridge (Picture 2); the North River (Picture 3); and the old boathouse from which Picture 4 was taken.

There is a small fee for parking in the Norris Reservation lot, however many locals park on the street just outside the parking area.  There are no restrooms or drinking water so prepare accordingly.  The trip is well worth it, in my opinion.  I ran at Norris Reservation this week for the first time in a year or two, but plan to return regularly over the summer.

An extremely interesting and entertaining article details the love of nature and the generosity which resulted in the creation of the Park:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2011/12/15/eleanor_norris_100_and_her_land_are_norwell_treasures/