Jacobs Pond

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Description

LOCATION: Jacobs Pond is a 189-acre property located between Jacobs Lane, Prospect Street and Duncan Drive.

DIRECTIONS and PARKING: Because of the extensive trail system, there are many access points from several neighborhoods. Only those with parking areas are listed here. From Route 123 westbound turn right onto Jacobs Lane. Proceed 0.3 mile to parking area on left. The parking lot is large and will hold15-20 cars. Access to pond and trails is at one end of parking area.

There is access from Duncan Drive as well. This access has a canoe launch for the pond. The trail-head from this location begins by proceeding across the Cliff Prentiss Bridge.

HISTORY: Jacobs Pond is a 60-acre, man-made pond. It was originally called Snappet Pond, a colloquial abbreviation of the name Assinippi, a Wampanoag name meaning Rocky Water. The pond was created in 1730 when Third Herring Brook was dammed at what is now Main Street. Third Herring Brook rises in the southern portion of Valley Swamp and exits Jacobs Pond at its southern end at the dam. Jacobs Pond and conservation area are part of the North River watershed.

TRAILS’ DESCRIPTION: From the Jacobs Lane parking area, a dirt road leads to the pond and access to trails. Trails are flat but unimproved. The westerly trail runs along the pond for the most part.
The pond and conservation area provide habitat for small mammals, fish, turtles, frogs and birds. At the northwestern end of this trail is a loop that leads to an overlook and a spur that leads to the Cliff Prentiss Bridge. Trails lead through a predominantly-mixed forest of pines and oaks.

TRAIL LENGTH: From Jacobs Lane parking and return using longest loop the length is about 2 miles. From Jacobs Lane parking to Prospect Street is approximately 1.5 miles.

TRAVEL TIME: 1.5 hours for loop; 1 hour to Prospect Street and return.

AMENITIES: Picnic table at west end of parking lot; boat dock at end of Jacobs Lane access road; bench at overlook; boardwalks along trail through wet areas.

ADA ACCESSIBILITY: While the picnic table is handicap-accessible, the trail to it is not. Access to pond from parking lot is gated, and while most people can walk around gate, the placement of a boulder prevents wheelchair access. Dock is also not accessible. At the Duncan Drive Extension, the access to canoe launch and bridge is steep and not accessible. While the bridge is 36" wide with railings, there is a step up. Wooden posts narrow the entrance to the bridge. Trails from the other end of the bridge are narrow, steep and unimproved.