Grills Preserve
This 543.5-acre preserve was acquired in several pieces from 2003-2006. The largest parcel is 482-acres and was purchased from Richard and Michael Grills. The remaining parcels were purchased from sisters Sally Gagnon, Marylou Collins and Kim Caswell, and the Fredap Realty Trust. This preserve has over 2 ½ miles of river frontage on the Pawcatuck River. It consists of extensive freshwater wetlands, a lagoon, upland forest, and “Big Hill” with exposed bedrock and scenic views. This preserve truly is a gem – a beautiful area that most people are surprised we have right here in Westerly.
Click here to read Grills Preserve’s history.
Trails: There is an extensive trail system, beginning at the public parking area at the end of Bowling Lane. Approximately 6 miles of trails cover the preserve, including a cross country loop that is used by the Westerly High School and Middle School teams. Hunting is permitted at this preserve. Hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders or any other visitors to this preserve are required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and from the third Saturday in April to the last day in May, annually.
*Fishing: This property is catch & release only
 Trail Map |
 Print Map |
Location: End of Bowling Lane in Bradford, RI
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Hello, May! 🌅
🐦This month we’ll celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Be prepared to welcome back all types of feathered friends, including the snowbird, a human species who winters down South.
If you feel like the winter had you cooped up for too long, we’ve got lots of outdoor events and activities to get you moving and reacquainted with nature. 🌳
💟We are particularly excited about our partner event with Westerly Hospital, Wellness for Everybody, on Saturday, May 18th at Avondale Farm Preserve. Here, we’ll explore all sorts of local options for taking care of our minds, bodies and spirits. Read on to learn more about this FREE event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Head over to our website at westerlylandtrust.org for more information and to register for each event!
#conservation #nature #wellness #hike #outside #birding #birds #worldmigratorybirdday #westerlyrhodeisland #rhodeisland #westerly #southcounty
Hello, May! 🌅
🐦This month we’ll celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Be prepared to welcome back all types of feathered friends, including the snowbird, a human species who winters down South.
If you feel like the winter had you cooped up for too long, we’ve got lots of outdoor events and activities to get you moving and reacquainted with nature. 🌳
💟We are particularly excited about our partner event with Westerly Hospital, Wellness for Everybody, on Saturday, May 18th at Avondale Farm Preserve. Here, we’ll explore all sorts of local options for taking care of our minds, bodies and spirits. Read on to learn more about this FREE event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Head over to our website at westerlylandtrust.org for more information and to register for each event!
#conservation #nature #wellness #hike #outside #birding #birds #worldmigratorybirdday #westerlyrhodeisland #rhodeisland #westerly #southcounty
We hope you find some time to get outside on this bright and sunny day!🌞🌿
#spring #landtrust #westerlyrhodeisland #westerlyri #rhodeisland #southcounty #southcountyri #spring #sun #stream #hike #outside
We hope you find some time to get outside on this bright and sunny day!🌞🌿
#spring #landtrust #westerlyrhodeisland #westerlyri #rhodeisland #southcounty #southcountyri #spring #sun #stream #hike #outside
Spotted salamander eggs!! 🌳
The eggs with developing larvae in this video have a green tint because of symbiotic algae. The algae provides oxygen for the embryos which in turn provides carbon dioxide for the algae.
We’re going to keep checking on these babies so keep an eye out for updates! 👀
#spottedsalamander #salamander #wetlands #stream #eggs #nature #spring #landtrust #hike #westerlyrhodeisland #rhodeisland #westerlyri #stoningtonct
Spotted salamander eggs!! 🌳
The eggs with developing larvae in this video have a green tint because of symbiotic algae. The algae provides oxygen for the embryos which in turn provides carbon dioxide for the algae.
We’re going to keep checking on these babies so keep an eye out for updates! 👀
#spottedsalamander #salamander #wetlands #stream #eggs #nature #spring #landtrust #hike #westerlyrhodeisland #rhodeisland #westerlyri #stoningtonct
🐤Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with WLT and expert birder Maggie Jones by getting outside and experiencing the spring migration on Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 AM.
🪺Join us as we welcome back the neo-tropical migrants as they return to their summer territories. This year’s WMBD theme is insects and their importance to migratory birds. 🦟
🪶Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! We will meet at Barlow Nature Preserve. Groups will head out to different WLT properties and gather back at Barlow to share our counts, stories and coffee and snacks. Follow the link in our bio to our Calendar of Events to register!
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. https://www.migratorybirdday.org/
📸 these amazing photos were taken by Jim Burke
#bird #birdphotography #birding #birdability #worldmigratorybirdday #nature #introtobirding #hike #family #migration
🐤Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with WLT and expert birder Maggie Jones by getting outside and experiencing the spring migration on Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 AM.
🪺Join us as we welcome back the neo-tropical migrants as they return to their summer territories. This year’s WMBD theme is insects and their importance to migratory birds. 🦟
🪶Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! We will meet at Barlow Nature Preserve. Groups will head out to different WLT properties and gather back at Barlow to share our counts, stories and coffee and snacks. Follow the link in our bio to our Calendar of Events to register!
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. https://www.migratorybirdday.org/
📸 these amazing photos were taken by Jim Burke
#bird #birdphotography #birding #birdability #worldmigratorybirdday #nature #introtobirding #hike #family #migration
🌳Flipping over rocks and logs for critters, using bug vacuums to get a closer look at insects, and enjoying the sunshine with friends at Grills Preserve… what could be better than that?! 🪲🐜
Springbrook Elementary students explored the importance of insect biodiversity in our ecosystems during our afterschool Living Laboratories Program - Interesting Insects! 🐝
#insects #biodiversity #pollinators #pollination #youtheducation #education #students #outside #exploration #nature #discover
🌳Flipping over rocks and logs for critters, using bug vacuums to get a closer look at insects, and enjoying the sunshine with friends at Grills Preserve… what could be better than that?! 🪲🐜
Springbrook Elementary students explored the importance of insect biodiversity in our ecosystems during our afterschool Living Laboratories Program - Interesting Insects! 🐝
#insects #biodiversity #pollinators #pollination #youtheducation #education #students #outside #exploration #nature #discover
🌎 Our Earth Day celebrations continued today with our 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 Book Club, in partnership with @westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark. We gathered ‘round the fire in Wahaneeta Preserve’s cozy cabin and discussed Henry David Thoreau’s life and works, specifically his book 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯. Then we took a peaceful hike through the woods with Thoreau’s words fresh in our heads. Consider his line: “It would be worth the while if in each town there were a committee appointed to see that the beauty of the town received no detriment.” We at the Westerly Land Trust are proud to play a role preserving Westerly’s charm and character by protecting open spaces for the enduring benefit of our community.
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#westerly #westerlyri #westerlyrhodeisland #watchhill #stoningtonct #landtrust #landconservation #environment #southcountyri #walden #henrydavidthoreau #waldenpond #earthday #thoreau #westerlylibrary #westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark
🌎 Our Earth Day celebrations continued today with our 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 Book Club, in partnership with @westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark. We gathered ‘round the fire in Wahaneeta Preserve’s cozy cabin and discussed Henry David Thoreau’s life and works, specifically his book 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯. Then we took a peaceful hike through the woods with Thoreau’s words fresh in our heads. Consider his line: “It would be worth the while if in each town there were a committee appointed to see that the beauty of the town received no detriment.” We at the Westerly Land Trust are proud to play a role preserving Westerly’s charm and character by protecting open spaces for the enduring benefit of our community.
.
.
#westerly #westerlyri #westerlyrhodeisland #watchhill #stoningtonct #landtrust #landconservation #environment #southcountyri #walden #henrydavidthoreau #waldenpond #earthday #thoreau #westerlylibrary #westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark
🌎Happy Earth Day!!
Big thanks to everyone who joined us for Clean-Up Crews & Brews yesterday! Over 300 pounds of trash was collected!
🌳Our crews dispersed around town to collect trash near multiple WLT properties and the surrounding roads including; Winnapaug Farm Preserve, Dr. John Glacier Park, Barlow Nature Preserve, Wildwood, Flora Whitely Preserve, Cottrell Family Preserve, Community Garden, Ice Rink, and Hawkewood! 🌳
🍺Participants scored a free pint from @greysail for helping keep our community clean!
#earthday #earthweek #westerlyri #rhodeisland #stoningtonct #stonington #southcounty #cleanup #trashpickup
🌎Happy Earth Day!!
Big thanks to everyone who joined us for Clean-Up Crews & Brews yesterday! Over 300 pounds of trash was collected!
🌳Our crews dispersed around town to collect trash near multiple WLT properties and the surrounding roads including; Winnapaug Farm Preserve, Dr. John Glacier Park, Barlow Nature Preserve, Wildwood, Flora Whitely Preserve, Cottrell Family Preserve, Community Garden, Ice Rink, and Hawkewood! 🌳
🍺Participants scored a free pint from @greysail for helping keep our community clean!
#earthday #earthweek #westerlyri #rhodeisland #stoningtonct #stonington #southcounty #cleanup #trashpickup
The Westerly Land Trust and Westerly Hospital are joining forces to offer a full day of wellness discovery at Avondale Farm Preserve on May 18, 2024. 💟🌳🩺
Here, you’ll get moving and sample some of the many options for health and wellness within our community, all while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the preserve. Local wellness partners will be on hand to help guide your day. Bring the whole family or simply treat yourself!💆♀️🧘♂️
🌸Here are a few of the day’s activities🌸
•Health screenings
•Yoga (chair, youth, adult)
•Chair massage
•Forest bathing
•Meditation
•Healthy snacks and beverages
No registration is required for this FREE event. Simply show up and enjoy. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, May 19.
☮️For a full list of participating vendors and wellness partners, please visit www. westerlylandtrust.org/portfolio/wellness-for-everybody or follow the link in our bio.
#wellness #wellnessforeverybody #yoga #gongbath #forestbathing #outside #hike #meditation #nature #spring #kids #adults #allages #westerly #westerlyri #stoningtonct #connecticut #southcountyri
The Westerly Land Trust and Westerly Hospital are joining forces to offer a full day of wellness discovery at Avondale Farm Preserve on May 18, 2024. 💟🌳🩺
Here, you’ll get moving and sample some of the many options for health and wellness within our community, all while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the preserve. Local wellness partners will be on hand to help guide your day. Bring the whole family or simply treat yourself!💆♀️🧘♂️
🌸Here are a few of the day’s activities🌸
•Health screenings
•Yoga (chair, youth, adult)
•Chair massage
•Forest bathing
•Meditation
•Healthy snacks and beverages
No registration is required for this FREE event. Simply show up and enjoy. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, May 19.
☮️For a full list of participating vendors and wellness partners, please visit www. westerlylandtrust.org/portfolio/wellness-for-everybody or follow the link in our bio.
#wellness #wellnessforeverybody #yoga #gongbath #forestbathing #outside #hike #meditation #nature #spring #kids #adults #allages #westerly #westerlyri #stoningtonct #connecticut #southcountyri