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Major Trail Systems
Andover
Conservation Commission Land
AVIS
Reservations
Massachusetts
dcr
Town of
Andover Land
Trustees of
the Reservations
Other Land
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Robert A.
Pustell Reservation
Features:
Glaciers that
covered Andover shaped the topography of the property.
The gently rolling terrain encompasses wetlands and
certified vernal pools. For generations neighborhood
children have delighted in exploring the steep granite
cliffs, hidden caves, vernal pools, and identifying the
ghost, mitten, and football shaped leaves of the
sassafras trees. Deer, fox, and many other smaller
animals are still seen by hikers.
History:
This property is named for
Robert A. Pustell, an avid environmentalist and member
of Andover’s Conservation Commission for over 25 years,
who works tirelessly to preserve open space for the
enjoyment of all Andover citizens.
In the early 1900s, The Henry Jenkins Trust owned much
of this property. Starting in 1921, the various parcels
were sold for development, the most recent being the
1995 sale of 106 acres to the Regency Ridge development.
The Conservation Commission obtained the various pieces
of land that make up the Pustell Reservation through
land purchases and donations of open space (conservation
easements) from developers.
Much of this area had been farmland at one time,
including a pig farm that practiced an early form of
recycling – the farmer drove to his neighbors’ houses to
collect food scraps for the pigs. This land was also
used in days past by Native American Indians. Indian
artifacts have been found on the property. An Indian
from the Indian settlement on Ballardvale Road where the
Jenkins’ house later stood died of smallpox and is
buried amongst the cliffs of this property.
Suggested Walks:
Check out the great new entrance trail on Powers Road, enhanced by a bridge constructed during a Summer 2010 Eagle Scout project. After crossing the bridge, follow the trail as it bears left, eventually intersecting the main trail network.
Also, multiple different road access points provide several ways to thru-hike the Reservation. These include hiking from Ballardvale Road to Powers Rd. via an old woods road to stream crossing, eventually crossing new boardwalk bridge mentioned above and out to Powers Road; Arcadia Rd. to Regency Ridge; and Regency Ridge to Powers Road. Other combinations and many side trails in this extensively wooded and hilly reservation offer fantastic opportunities for exploring.
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Parking:
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