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Briggs-Boesch Farm

East Greenwich, East Greenwich Municipal Land Trust

1.9 miles of trail

Moderate

Close

Very Easy

Trails that are smooth and relatively level with no steps, no roots, stones or uneven ground. These may be paved, crushed stone, continuous boardwalk and similar surfaces. These trails have a route that is quite obvious such as a single point to point trail or an easy loop or network of trails.

Easy

Relatively flat and smooth trails with a route that is quite obvious such as a single point to point trail or an easy loop or network of trails.

Moderate

May have a few hills or steep sections and multiple surface types including rocks and roots. Trails are generally well-marked but following them requires a trail map.

Difficult

Strenuous trails, trail systems that mostly involve multi-mile loops and trails that are narrow and may have obstacles such as stream crossings or rocky areas, some trails are less well marked.

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.

Avenza maps are special, free maps that you can use in the Avenza app on your smart phone. These maps let you see your location on the map as you walk. Download the Avenza App for free in the Apple App Store or on Google Play

Click on the Avenza Trail Map button to "purchase" the free map for this trail from the Avenza map store. If this is your first time, Avenza will ask you to set up an account to check out. However, all Avenza trail maps listed on ExploreRI are free.

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.

What’s There:

Visitor Rating: starstarstarstarempty star

Based on 2 reviews with ratings

See what other people have said

Originally purchased by John Briggs in 1672, with structures built as early as 1704 by his son Richard, the Briggs family owned and farmed in this area of East Greenwich (extending, at times, as far west as Narrow Lane) for some 180 years; the current farmhouse and the main bay of the barn are a classic example of a New England farmstead from this period. Since leaving the Briggs’ family control in 1850, the Farm has had 7 owners; most recently, the Boesch family who owned the current farm holding for almost 50 years.

With the support and assistance of the East Greenwich Town Council, our Town Manager, and the East Greenwich Planning Department, the East Greenwich Municipal Land Trust purchased the 90 acre farm in October 2001. Currently, the Briggs-Boesch Farm serves as the southern anchor of the Town's greenway system, providing publicly accessible trails throughout the property's fields and forests. The Farm is also home to Pat's Pastured, a pasture-raised livestock farm operation across much of the property that promotes sustainable farming and vegetable cultivation. This tenant farmer additionally offers periodic educational workshops and events related to agricultural activities; for more information, please visit http://www.patspastured.com.

Besides the farm fields and varied woodland, the property contains several historic structures and an historic cemetery. In June 2003 the farmstead was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Dogs: Must be kept on leash at all times; dog owners must pick up waste.

Bicycles: Bicycles are permitted but are not really practical to use on most trails

Other Amenities: Picnic tables

Getting There:

Briggs-Boesch Farm Trailhead

Google Maps is the mapping system used on the new ExploreRI maps and shows the trailhead located on a terrain view, a street map or an aerial photograph. Clicking on this link will take you to the full Google Maps website, which is not part of ExploreRI.org.
Acme Maps shows the trailhead located on a topographic map. The Acme Maps website is not part of ExploreRI.org.

Driving Landmarks: The trailhead is at a small parking lot, which is located approximately across from the Boesch Farm Road development on South Road. The Farm’s actual address is 830 South Road but that is a private drive; the parking lot is just down the road to the east.

Parking: Yes: , 10 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? Yes

Coordinates: 41° 36.487' N    71° 30.396' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps


 

Great trail!

Submitted by: Glenn-Marie; September 14, 2019; 10:21 am

Wonderful trail, lots of biodiversity, good for sunny days. Great cooperation between farming/productive land use and its conservation/recreation. Scouts did a great job preparing the trail

Rating:

starstarstarstarstar

Interesting Trail, but not well marked.

Submitted by: Kent Dillon; November 30, 2018; 1:23 pm

The trail was well-marked at outset behind barn and cemetery. The trail runs through old woods with lots of stone walls but trail was not well-maintained. Many fallen trees across the trail and broken trail markers. I doubt it attracts many visitors. Trail abuts Scrabbletown Brook, a beautiful picturesque lively running stream. But somewhere around Trail Marker 22, I got lost. I followed a 12-foot wide path headed south, which ended in backyards of subdivision of new houses, The Falls at Pleasant Valley. Not the plan at all. To get back to my car, I had to walk along two busy roads and another 3 miles and 1.5 hours extra. If you go, be very careful to pay attention to where you are.
I am reluctant to go back.

Rating:

starstarstar

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This site report was last updated on February 27, 2019

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