Hall Field
Princeton Land Trust received a generous donation from Judy and Chris Bice of the property known as Hall Field. The 12 acres of open field are located on the left side of Route 62 (Gregory Hill Road) when heading up the hill to Princeton Center. The property encompasses a small fire pond on the northeast side and a stream running through the center of the fields. “PLT is pleased to publicly thank the Bices for this generous gift. Judy and Chris wanted these fields to be managed and enjoyed by Town residents – their gift makes this a reality”, said Tom Sullivan, President of PLT.
Judy and Chris stated that “We are pleased to donate the Hall Fields to the people of Princeton. Although we have not been permanent residents since 1970, we have deep roots here. Princeton Center School 1950-1958, Wachusett Regional High School 1958-1962, and marriage in the Congregational Church 1967. We still own property east of the fields and visit annually. We know that the Land Trust and the good people of Princeton will maintain and improve the beauty of the fields; one of the gateways of our town”.
Judy remembers when her father was approached by trustees of the Land Trust decades ago about the possibility of conserving the fields. At the time he wasn’t quite sure if he was ready to do that, but she knows that he would be very pleased that the land is being conserved now. PLT plans to mow the fields to keep them open and has plans to add a trail along the east side of the property to connect from the road to other PLT properties leading out to a beaver pond.
Preservation of these fields and maintaining the views heading into town, have long been goals for the Land Trust. PLT owns several properties in this area, most of which are connected by trails and open to the public (see map below). In addition to the Hall Field Trail which hugs the east side of the field, these trails can be combined with other PLT trail areas (Gregory-Alexander and Bullock-McElroy) to complete a circuit of Central PLT properties.
The Russell Corner Trail Area includes trails on three PLT properties, including the Hall Field.