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Blackall Family and Ballou Farm Preserve
Cumberland, Cumberland Land Trust
3.0 miles of trail
Moderate
Click on the "Trail Map (PDF)" button to download a PDF of the trail map that you can print and take with you on the trail.
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In Rhode Island the primary hunting seasons typically run from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and from the third Saturday in April to the last day in May, however this can vary from year to year and depends on what game is being hunted. During hunting season you should wear at least 200 square inches (a hat OR a vest) of blaze orange. During shotgun deer season, which is typically in December, you should wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange (a hat AND a vest). For more information see the RI DEM website.
This property was opened to the public in 2017. In 2018 the Cumberland Land Trust expects to acquire abutting lots which will increase this preserve to 200 acres. Also in 2018 more trails, presently marked as black dashed lines on the trail map, will be blazed and new trails will be created.
For most of the 20th century the Blackall family owned and farmed this property. The 18th C. family homestead is on Old West Wrentham Road. The western half of the Blackall property was sold and developed as Highland Corporate Park for the CVS corporate headquarters, apartments, and commercial office space. The eastern half of the property was conserved as open space. Much of the land north of the power lines was an apple orchard, now overgrown but a few apple trees still survive along the trails. Visitors can see remnants of the farming history in the impounded cattle ponds, cart paths, miles of well made stone walls, and a horse riding ring (yellow trail). The many stone walls kept separate the pastures, wood lots, and apple orchards.
Dogs: Yes, but must be leashed.
This is a Creature Challenge site. The creature is on the Blue Trail.
Learn more about the Creature Challenge.
Power Line Trailhead
Driving Landmarks: This trailhead is at the (southern) junction of West Wrentham Road and Old West Wrentham Road. You can park in the grassy area under the power lines.
Parking: Yes: On street, 12 spaces, no overnight parking
ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? No
Coordinates: 41° 59.293' N 71° 27.662' W See this location in: Google Maps Acme Maps
Old West Wrentham Trailhead
Driving Landmarks: The approximate address of this trailhead is 32 Old West Wrentham Road, Cumberland. There is an off-road gravel parking area beside road.
Parking: Yes: Parking lot, 4 spaces, no overnight parking
ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? No
Coordinates: 41° 59.612' N 71° 27.566' W See this location in: Google Maps Acme Maps
KEY:
Trailhead
Only trailheads related to this trail system are shown on this map. To see all trailheads go to the main map.
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This site report was last updated on September 21, 2023
Comments:
Old memories
Submitted by: Dave St Laurent ; May 3, 2022; 12:50 pm
5/3/2022. Just accessed from Highland park.
Drive thru the housing project and saw the pond I spent my life sneaking into. Remember running when we heard the Jeep coming.
Best bass fishing back then. Lots of turtles and frogs.
Even saw the big rock we would jump off into the bigger pond. Couldn’t make it to the old cranberry bog.
Even saw 2 old apple trees blossoming.
I’m so thankful this is not completely developed.
Rating:
Nicely maintained trail
Submitted by: DarSi; July 18, 2021; 3:45 pm
Well marked and wide trails. Wear boots when visiting after rain, lots of deep puddles so we needed to turn around. Lovely and quiet!
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Photographs:
Photo Credit: DarSi
Nicely maintained trail
Submitted by: DarSi; July 18, 2021; 3:45 pm
Well marked and wide trails. Wear boots when visiting after rain, lots of deep puddles so we needed to turn around. Lovely and quiet!
Rating:
Alternate Trailhead
Submitted by: Chimmey; April 1, 2020; 11:39 am
I walked the trails on 4/1/20. They were a bit soggy, so hiking boots should be worn after wet weather. I also spotted a fox, just before he spotted me. It ran, so a I guess it wasn't rabid. I walk with a trekking pole (old ski pole) just for this purpose. In the past coyotes have gotten a little too close for comfort. I started my hike near the Cumberland Dollar Store (The old Bennies) just off Mendon Road. There's plenty of parking, so I think this is the best place to start, though I don't see any trailhead markings on the map. Just saying.
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