A three-stage multi in the Macomber Reservation, a Town of Framingham conservation area.
The first two stages are micros a little bit bigger than the usual film container that lead to a regular sized final.
The Town of Framingham acquired part of the Macomber Estate, known as “Raceland”, in 1971 for conservation purposes. This 57-acre parcel encompasses meadows, wetlands and upland forest. The north border is Stearnes Reservoir #1 which is maintained by the Mass Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Barton Brook runs through the property creating wooded wetlands. One of its unusual features is that it splits in the middle of Macomber with one branch draining to an emergent marsh and the other running merrily down to the Reservoir. A trail map of the area can be obtained here .
The entrance to the property is at the break in the stone wall on Badger Road, about 1000 feet south of Salem End Road. Ample parking is available in the grass to the right of the entrance. The trails begin near the old dog kennel (recently demolished) beyond the gate and loop through the white pine and hemlock woodland.
The broad trails are old carriage roads with stone and metal grate bridges where they cross Barton Brook. A short trail goes around the inner woodland without crossing the stream; a longer trail crosses the stream four times and provides lovely views of Stearnes Reservoir. This a a great area to do some mountain biking.
Due to the fact that the final was muggled in Aug. 2011, it has been cleaned and replaced into a different area.
[9/3/11] The recent Hurricane Irene has caused a number of trees to come down onto trails. Walkers and bikers will need to walk around these until the Framingham Conservation Commission can get there and clear the paths but this is only in a few places.