A view of a small shallow pond surrounded by woods.

State Road Nature Preserve

Trail length: 1.1 miles

Activities: Hiking

Map
State Road map
Satellite Map
State Road satellite map

The 84-acre preserve was created in 2019 and consists of second growth forest, wetlands and ponds. It is bisected from the SW to the NE by Four Mile Creek, and consists of two parts.

  • On the west side of Four Mile Creek, the trails connect the Arbor Creek Community Center with the neighborhood. This system is maintained by the homeowners association.
  • On the east side of the creek, the short Broken Willow trail leads from the trailhead on State Road to the pond in the woods. There it connects to a one mile loop which takes you through woods, grasslands and along Four Mile Creek. The east trails are maintained by Friends of Webster Trails.

Ninety years ago the property was farmed fields with apple orchards in the southern area. In the 1950s a farm pond was built in that area. Shortly thereafter, farming ceased and the dryer ground reverted to woodland, the wetter floodplain to grass and cattail. The development of the subdivision included the creation of several large retention ponds west of the creek.

Future plans for this unique property include a bridge to connect the two trail systems, additional east-side trails, and a picnic area overlooking the pond.

Trailhead parking is available on the north side of State Road, just east of Barrow Hill.