The Landlocked Forest - also known as the ‘Landlocked Parcel’
- is Burlington's largest unprotected forest.
It is a haven of green in an otherwise built up, suburban world of office parks and malls.
May 18, 2009
We have been given permission by the Burlington Board of Selectmen to coordinate with the Burlington Conservation Commission to mark trails in the Landlocked Forest!
In the next few weeks we plan to clearly mark a 3-4 mile loop trail that will take you around the whole forest. There will also be several cut-offs that will allow for people to choose a shorter route if they prefer. We look forward to creating a network of trails that will make it easier to navigate through this beautiful area.
The trails will take you through pine forests, deciduous forests, blueberry bushes, meadows and wildflowers alongside of historic house foundations, wetlands, and a vernal pool. On recent walks, people have spotted an indigo bunting (a bird) and a fisher cat!
Featuring 270 acres of pine and oak forest with a dense blueberry and fern understory, this green space is home to abundant wildlife, including many deer, fox, fisher cats, turkeys and a wide assortment of songbirds, owls and hawks. Walkers, runners, cyclists, snowshoers and cross-country skiers are frequent visitors, and the property offers a chance for people to explore one of Burlington’s last remaining forests.
But for how long? Though town-owned, the Landlocked Forest is in the crosshairs of developers who wish to cut it down and construct the largest bio-tech campus ever built in the state. Let us not squander our last unprotected forest – let’s protect this forest forever and create a meaningful legacy to our children and our grandchildren.
More development is not the answer….. and it costs more than you think.
Let's 'unlock' the Forest by working with the surrounding towns and the state to provide better access, rather than by chopping it down and paving it over. Help us find new ways for Burlington residents to access and enjoy this open space.
Support the Friends of the Landlocked Forest to protect this precious land. We hope this website helps you learn more about this property, its history, wildlife and potential for recreation and much needed green space.
Burlington residents need to voice our opposition to developing the Landlocked Parcel to our Town Meeting Representatives. The developers are hard at work, and if we don’t act now, the forest will become yet another office park and mall, forever. Would you like to help us?
Photo Fundraiser: Support the Friends of the Landlocked Forest by purchasing a photography of the Landlocked Forest. We also offer photo puzzles, T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, mousepads, mugs and bookmarks. All proceeds will go to support our organization.
Friends of the Burlington Landlocked Forest is an organization of citizens concerned with the wellbeing and preservation of 270-acres of land located between Routes 62, 3, and 128 in Burlington, MA. Contact Us
