Features

Look for the distinctive shapes of pink and red lady slippers emerging within Kelly Woodlands during the spring and early summer.

Although it’s relatively small, Kelly Woodland has a big job: it connects the coastal habitats of Flume Pond with the deep forests at Beebe Woods and the fields of Peterson Farm. The Buzzards Bay Coalition worked together with The 300 Committee in 2017 to forever conserve Kelly Woodland and create this wildlife corridor. Together, these properties protect over 500 acres of woods, wetlands, and waterways.

Trails

The short Mitzell/Hoskins Trail at Kelly Woodland provides a new access point to Beebe Woods’ less-explored western side. Two benches at the trailhead provide a place to relax and listen to the birds after returning from a long hike. (Download trail map)

To access the extensive trails at Beebe Woods, start on the Mitzell/Hoskins Trail, which begins beside a large glacial boulder unearthed during the lot’s construction. After about a tenth of a mile, the trail will connect with the western portion of Beebe Woods at a granite stone post marked with the number 77.

Kelly Woodland also provides parking and access to the trail to Flume Pond. To reach the pond trailhead, walk south on Sippewissett Road along the edge of Kelly Woodland and carefully cross the road. The trail continues just past a small 300 Committee “Conservation Land” sign.

Habitats & Wildlife

Kelly Woodland connects diverse habitats from the coast to the glacial moraine: the barrier beach along Buzzards Bay, saltwater Flume Pond, freshwater wetlands, and rocky woodlands. This wildlife corridor allows safe passage for large animals like deer, coyote, and foxes, which a quiet explorer might spot trotting between the trees.

The purpose of Kelly Woodland’s protection is perhaps best summed up by a quote on a sign at the entrance, as requested by its previous owners: “May peepers sing their chorus forever.” Kelly Woodland contains protected wetlands that preserve habitat for these frogs and other amphibians. On the first warm evenings of spring, their telltale calls rise up from these woods, marking the end of another long winter.

Property Owned By

Buzzards Bay Coalition & The 300 Committee

The Buzzards Bay Coalition is a membership-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration, protection, and sustainable use and enjoyment of our irreplaceable Bay and its watershed.

The 300 Committee is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving natural lands in Falmouth. Since 1986, The 300 Committee has helped protect more than 2,300 acres for conservation, recreation, and water protection.