The Sharon Conservation Commission maintains a network of trails throughout the Town Forest. The trails follow historic roads frequented by horse and buggy in the 19th century.
Research on these trails, conducted by Bruce Matthews, former Conservation Commission member, involved reviewing deeds, reading historical accounts of the forest, discovering old maps, locating historical sites (cellar holes, former work-camps, stone bridges), identifying points of interest (views of Mount Monadnock, etc.) and flagging trees.
AmeriCorp selected the Town Forest as a work site in 1996. Young people ranging from 18 to 25 years old, volunteered for four days clearing historical trails and constructing a small stone bridge. Their work was coordinated by the Conservation Commission. The students who participated made a commitment to complete 1,700 hours of community service over 11 months in return for rustic living accommodations, a modest stipend, and a post-program educational award.
In 2008, the Conservation Commission worked with Boy Scout Troop 11 on an Eagle Scout project led by Greg Potter. The group cleared the Don Sullivan loop trail, blazed trees and installed sign posts. In 2009, the Conservation Commission worked with Boy Scout Troop 11 in an Eagle Scout project led by Dan Martin. The group constructed a bridge over Meadow Brook on the Don Sullivan loop trail.
The Wapack Trail
The Wapack Trail is a 21-mile skyline footpath from Mt. Watatic in Ashburnham, Massachusetts to North Pack Monadnock in Greenfield, New Hampshire. Completed in 1923, it is the oldest interstate hiking trail in the Northeast.
The trail is well-marked and has three points of entry in Sharon: on Nashua Road (at the Temple line), on Temple Road (near the intersection of Greenleaf), and on Mountain Road (for the Berry Pasture Trail). A Wapack Trail Guide is available via the Friends of the Wapack and can also be purchased at Eastern Mountain Sports in Peterborough.
The Wales Preserve
The 48 acre Wales Preserve is the result of two gifts to The Nature Conservancy by Ralph and Betty Wales. It is open for passive recreational, educational and scientific uses and is located on Spring Hill Road.
