Smith Farm
Donor : Donations by Llewellyn Howland Jr., W. Julian Underwood, and Elliot Bates McKee; and purchases from the Portuguese Cultural Foundation (PCF) and Western Run Salter’s Trust.
Acreage : 142 +/-
Location : East side of Smith Neck Road, just north of Round Hill | View Google Map
Year Acquired : Howland and Underwood parcel in 1983, McKee parcel in 1984, the PCF parcel in 1991, and the Western Run Salter’s Trust parcel in 2022.
Access Point : Look for DNRT sign at entrance on Smith Neck Road, just north of the entrance to Round Hill. Please park along the road near the sign.
Volunteer Stewards : Lisa & Andy Mellgard
May 2022 Update: DNRT has successfully acquired the 2-acre parcel where the parking and trail entrance had been located for many years before this parcel was offered for sale in March 2022. See article here.
Description
Smith Farm is a 142-acre protected gem, containing almost all the habitats found in Dartmouth: agricultural farmland, meadows, upland forest, freshwater wetland, wetland forest, ponds, streams and salt marsh. Four walking trails provide a pleasant way to explore Smith Farm’s diverse surroundings.
The wetland woods are carpeted with luxuriant growth of various mosses, mounds of sphagnum moss, ferns and innumerable clear pools and rivulets- a paradise for the varieties of frogs, salamanders and turtles. Several well-constructed bridges and boardwalks allow walkers access to the wooded wetlands without wet feet.
Another special feature is a large man-made horseshoe-shaped trout pond with clear and deep waters ringed by a narrow trail. Beyond this, the Orange Trail leads to an observation platform overlooking the Nonquitt salt marsh. In 2014, Nonquitt salt marsh hydrology was restored to pre-1930s conditions.
Historically the old farm was owned by James Henry Smith, who purchased the property in 1898 and used it for dairy farming until the 1950s.
Directions : Head south on Smith Neck Road towards Round Hill and Mishaum Point. Continue south past Rock O’Dundee Road. The Smith Farm is located south of Salvadors Ice Cream Bucket and just north of Round Hill Beach, on the east side of the road. The Smith Farm is north of Little River Road. There is a gate and a DNRT sign at the entrance. Parking is along the side of the road.