By Lauren Schiavone
Hometown Weekly Staff
Adams Farm is known in Walpole for being a beautiful place where visitors can stop and enjoy nature for a while. With gardens, walking trails, and hundreds of acres of spacious woods, the area is a favorite spot for many.
On Saturday, September 24, Adams Farm celebrated the 25th anniversary of the town-owned conservation land.
Premier fall activities were the highlight of the day, including hayrides for children and families, who enjoyed a perfect opportunity to traverse through gorgeous paths and revel in the autumn foliage. A local brewery and food truck received various compliments from those enjoying a picnic outside and sprawling out on the lawn to listen to live music in the barn from musician David Penza.
Penza was returning to Adams Farm; he kicked off the summer concert series earlier in June. His melodic covers of easy listening rock music from Lifehouse to Taylor Swift aided in the laid-back atmosphere of the day.
There were long lines for face painting, as kids picked their own colors and designs. Creativity and recreation crossed paths as bike riders new and experienced had the opportunity to join the New England Mountain Bike Association on bike rides and in safety clinics. “These trails are beautiful and well-maintained,” explained NEMBA Membership Outreach Coordinator Koene Van Dijk, who was loving the atmosphere of the day. “There’s so many volunteers, hikers and bikers that work to keep the trails clear for us.”
As for the clinics, over one hundred people signed up for group rides on the trails (including a women’s-specific mountain bike ride), the skills clinic, and a first-time-bikers and kids trail ride.
“We’re having a successful hayride for everyone. We haven’t had this for about five years now,” observed President of Board of Directors of the Friends of Adams Farm Roy Noepel. “For the first time, we have a local brewery here. We’ve got local music, and this is the final concert of the series.”
It was a perfect, seasonal end to a summer of fun and activity at the farm — not to mention a fitting tribute to its 25 years as a pillar of the Walpole community.
Adams Farm continues to be a place for visitors to explore nature and connect with others. Follow activities at the farm at www.adams-farm.com
