Tucker Preserve

The South Shore of Massachusetts has truly a wonderful collection of protected land. Luckily, with the sprawling development that is enveloping the area, protecting parcels of land is a real need. Even Plymouth, which used to be considered remote, is undergoing a rapid transformation into a suburb in certain parts. Thanks to groups such as the Wildlands Trust, The Trustees, and town-owned conservation committees, the South Shore still remains partially wild. On one of my more recent walks, I discovered the great trail system at Tucker Preserve in Pembroke.

The last few months have been difficult, not on a personal level, but nationally and globally (and I’m not even talking politically!) Last fall’s walk season was cut short by the threat of Triple E and now this spring, although it’s been unseasonably warm, Coronavirus has everyone in an understandable tizzy. Sometimes when life gets too overwhelming, hitting a trail in solitude is just the right prescription (relative solitude with two kids in tow). 

I was supposed to take a tour of Tucker’s Preserve last fall as part of the North and South Rivers Watershed guide-led walk series. Unfortunately, there was a monsoon that day, so this March day was my first crack at it. 

Let’s Be Clear….

I just spent about two years writing a book about the South Shore and was really struggling with the directions to this preserve. The address is simply “West Elm Street” in Pembroke. Let’s be clear, the Indian Head River (a tributary of the North River) which the preserve abuts separates the towns of Hanover and Pembroke here. Better known is Luddam’s Ford, where the anchor of the USS Constitution was forged. The former mill site is a park. Basically, look for the signs for Luddam’s Ford on the Hanover side of Elm Street. Drive over the bridge and park on the lot on the right (north) side of the road, right across the waterfall from Luddam’s. 

There is actually no signage from the road, but a decent-sized lot is there, with a few picnic tables and benches set on an idyllic spot at the river banks. Also here was the location of the Clapp Rubber Mill. At the far side of the entrance is a sign for “Tucker’s Preserve”; walk past this to start the trail.

The Wildlands Trust operates Tucker Preserve. Wildlands has been in existence since the early 1970s and oversees properties throughout southeastern Massachusetts with its headquarters in Plymouth. At first glance on the trail, notice industrial foundations that have been since covered in graffiti a la Wompatuck State Park but on a much smaller scale. After that initial foray into the woods, the rest of this area’s industrial past has been left in the past.

Up and Down and All-Around in Tucker Preserve

The path flanks the south side of the Indian Head River with pristine views of it. Continuing, the trail crosses a small bridge and eventually splits with an option to go uphill (which I did). Cross over a classic New England stone wall as the trail meanders through a forest of pine. My son enjoyed playing hide and go seek behind every turn of the path, tree or blade of grass. It is also a nice spot for walking dogs. On my visit, I saw about ten and had wished I had brought Pepper since the mix of smells and adventure would have been right up her alley. 

After a while, we turned around to head home. Walking with one child in a Baby Bjorn front pack and the other stopping every millimeter, a short walk can still take a while. Danny enjoyed romping through the preserve, and truly the walk was beautiful, one I would definitely come back to. 

Living by the sea, I typically choose my walks by the oceanside. A walk such as the one taken at Tucker Preserve reminded me how much I enjoy a nature hike as well. Even with the commercial and residential development of the South Shore, thanks go to groups such as Wildlands Trust for preserving green space such as this for posterity.