Middleton/Boxford/Topsfield, Massachusetts

Total Acres: 52

Year Conserved: Multiple years

Property Description

The Ipswich River flows from Wilmington to Ipswich and acts as an artery that supports life in our region. Many plants and animals, including rare and endangered water birds and plants, depend on the river for survival. Humans rely on the river as a significant water supply, as well as a place to relax and enjoy outdoor recreation.

The river is also an essential link in the corridors of protected open space or greenbelts that are central to our land conservation mission. Numerous Greenbelt properties directly border the Ipswich River, and over 4,000 acres within the watershed are protected. 

Special Features

The areas where flowing waters meet the shore contain ecological variety not found in drier habitats. Here you’ll find many birds, including Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Eastern Kingbirds and Baltimore Orioles. A large floodplain of deep sandy soil sustains the wildlife by recharging the river when there is little or no rain.

The Ipswich River offers abundant rainbow and brown trout in the late spring, a tradition dating back to the time of Native American occupation of this region. Archeological remnants from the native and colonial periods can be found along the riverbanks, shell middens and plowed fields.

If you are fortunate enough to find something you suspect to an archeological artifact, please be very mindful of its exact location. Exact site information, surrounding soil type and depth are critical in identifying and dating the object.

Get out and Paddle

Starting from the boat landing in Middleton, head downstream. 

Distances for shorter trips from the Route 62 boat landing are: 

2.0 miles to the Peabody Street/Squash Field access or

4.2 miles to the Lampert Memorial Canoe landing on Rowey Bridge Road or

5.4 miles to the take-out point at Salem Road in Topsfield (at the small bridge just upstream from the Route 1 bridge at the Topsfield Fairgrounds). You can arrange for someone to pick you up here or return to the original launch sight after your downstrream paddle, as the river is slow and relatively easy to navigate. 

Greenbelt's Killam Island will be on your left as you go downstream, about 0.7 mile after you pass under Route 95. The tall white pines provide a dramatic setting for a picnic, or simply a nice place to stretch your legs. 

Parking

Park on the north side of Route 62, next to the river.

Directions

Take Route 1 north from Peabody or south from Newburyport to Route 62 West in Danvers. The boat landing is on Route 62, about 200 yards beyond the intersection of Route 62 and East Street in Middleton.