The last time we tried to visit Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in South Natick we took one look at the crowded parking lot and turned around. That was early during the pandemic, and shortly afterward Mass Audubon temporarily closed the facility due to overcrowding and safety concerns.
While we only live a few miles from the sanctuary, we pathetically hadn’t been in years. Our kids used to go to summer camp there, but when they outgrew that, the sanctuary sort of fell off of our radar.
More: Subscribe to our Natick Report daily email
Having exhausted pretty much every outdoor space in the area of late, we found ourselves hankering to return to Broadmoor and finally did this past weekend. Our timing coincided with light showers, the first sprinkles dotting our windshield minutes after pulling out of our driveway. The parking lot attendant stated the obvious, that it looked like rain, and asked if we had an umbrella (to walk in the woods?).
While the drizzle seemed to send the frogs and turtles scurrying, it kept the people away too, which was fine with us.
We headed from the closed visitor center, surrounded by picnic tables overturned to discourage lingering, and onto the boardwalks. The walkways are enclosed by lily pads and other bright green plant life that thrives in the water.
[slideshow_deploy id=’2012′]
From their we meandered toward the western part of the sanctuary, following the well-marked 1-mile Glacial Hill Trail and returning by way of the shorter Indian Brook Trail. The Glacial Hill Trail ends in a loop that indeed does feature a bit of elevation.
We dumbly forgot to bring bug spray, which would have helped on this sticky day.
The scenery includes a good dose of woods (which nicely shielded us from the rain), some rocky glacial remnants, vernal pools, that marsh with the tall bare trees you can see from Rte. 16, and meadows stocked with blooming milkweed and other plants.
Regulars know the beauty of Broadmoor, and the treats it delivers during different seasons. If you haven’t been to Broadmoor, or not in a long time like us, it’s worth checking out.
Be aware that you need to make a reservation now to visit Broadmoor, and it costs $10 per car if you’re not a member.
More: Subscribe to our Natick Report daily email
