‘A VISION OF PRESERVATION’
Couple donates 14 acres to Roxbury Land Trust
ROXBURY — Forested land owned by a family that farmed locally for generations will be turned into trails for the community.
Cathleen and Howard Bronson have donated the 14.01 acres to the Roxbury Land Trust, which preserves nearly 4,000 acres of farmland, woodlands and open space in Roxbury and nearby communities.
“We donate this land to the Roxbury Land Trust for everyone to enjoy,” Cathleen Bronson said.
The couple donated the property off Good Hill Road in honor of Cathleen Bronson’s family, the Hurlbuts, who have farmed the land since 1730 and started Maple Bank Farm nearly 60 years ago, the Roxbury Land Trust said when it announced the donation.
The property will be known as the Hurlbut Woods Preserve. “Since the property is mostly wooded, it will most likely not
be used for farming,” said Julie Steers, president of the land trust. “We do envision the opportunity to create trails in the future. The fact that the Hurlbut family has continued to farm the property since 1730 is quite amazing.”
Cathleen Bronson’s parents, Lewis Hurlbut and Ethel Hurlbut, and her aunt and uncle Elinor Hurlbut and Alden Hurlbut, started a roadside stand in 1963 to sell poultry and fruit from the farm.
That stand, known as Maple Bank Farm, became a Roxbury landmark and destination spot offering fruit, vegetables and plants, with sheep and cattle grazing nearby, the land trust said.
Steers said she was aware the donated land was coming to the trust.
“The Bronsons were working with the state through its Farmland Protection Program to preserve much of their farmland,” Steers said.
“During the process, Cathy and Howie approached the trust to see if it would be interested in accepting the 14-acre gift in honor of their family. Our board unanimously affirmed the donation.”
The 51-year-old Roxbury Land Trust maintains 33 preserves with more than 30 miles of hiking trails and three active farms, as well as offering educational programs. It is a nonprofit organization supported by membership dues and charitable contributions.
“Our donated lands have ranged in sizes from 5 acres to over 400 acres,” Steers said. “More important than the size is the conservation value of the land. We seek to preserve properties that are adjacent or near already conserved land to promote wildlife corridors. This property fits both of these criteria.”
The Hurlbut Woods Preserve connects private conserved lands with the Gavel Family Farm Preserve across Good Hill Road.
“Roxbury is fortunate that they (the Bronsons) had the vision of preservation and the Roxbury Land Trust is grateful to be a part of that effort,” Steers said.