The Arbutus Park Trail is absolutely one of my favorites in Massachusetts and one very dear to me. During COVID, I hiked this trail constantly and doing that is part of what unlocked my outdoorsiness. I was obsessed with seeing the changes on the trail each week, getting to interact with my neighbors and community in a safe space, and the way being out there eased my pandemic anxiety. There’s this absolutely gorgeous body of water right in the middle of a trail. In the water, there’s a downed pine tree and it makes the surface look an incredible color of green. There’s also a silly shaped tree that I’ve lovingly named the “Dr. Seuss Tree.” This trail is part of a larger system, and I love that I can choose to walk the loop I know or go on a longer adventure and follow wherever my footsteps take me. There are some fun little areas like a rock garden that has a crazy gnome statue and also a random basketball hoop in the woods next to a primitive shelter. It’s such a cool little trail and I always find something new to fall in love with every time I hike it. It’s in Sturbridge, MA which is very central and right off of major highways. A great little escape!
