THINGS TO DO
Hike your troubles away
It’s important to maintain social distancing, but that’s easiest to do while out on the trails. Places like the Lloyd Center (pictured) provide perfect venues to safely enjoying the great outdoors.
By Paul Kandarian
COVID-19 has forced us inside, but truth be told, there’s a lot to be said for going outside–and not just to go shopping.
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ur area is crazy rich with great places to walk, including conservation areas, land trusts in virtually every community, statewide, local and national parks and preserves, and hiking trails over hill, over dale, and around and over swamps, providing all manner of opportunities to get out, get moving, and get sane. One of many regional crown jewels include the Lloyd Center for the Environment in Dartmouth, a nonprofit with headquarters and nature preserve overlooking the scenic Slocum River estuary. It has a great reputation for environmental research and education, with a myriad of programs offered this spring and summer for all ages. “We are planning our Young Naturalist Summer Programs for children ages 5-7, our Coastal Studies for students entering grades 3-8, and our outreach programs for the general public,” said Rachel
June 2020 | The South Coast Insider
Stronach, executive director. “We hope to be able to provide these programs over the summer, based on guidance from state and local officials. Our staff has been working diligently to structure our programs to proceed safely. Registration is currently open and of course, we will provide full refunds if the programs cannot proceed due to health concerns.” The center’s 82-acre property offers over five miles of walking trails, the “Bridge to Discovery” dock on the Slocum River, vernal pools, oak-hickory forest, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh, estuary views, and is home to an injured screech owl. “Over the past couple of months we have seen an increase of hikers on our trails which is wonderful. It is our hope that people are realizing their need to have a connection to nature,” Stronach said. In Marion, there’s the popular Hale Brook and Sippican River holding of the statewide Trustees of Reservation on
