Jim Darling Natural Area
The Town of Rumney welcomes all citizens to visit and enjoy the new river front property purchased by the town. The property was purchased in the fall of 2007 and consists of 21.8 acres in West Rumney. It is located east of the corner of Route 25 and Sand Hill Road and borders Route 25 and the Baker River with over 2,200 ft. of river frontage. The purchase was approved at the 2006 Town Meeting. The Rumney Selectboard would like to thank Foreco for donating the survey of the property and for their help during the process of purchasing this property.
The property offers conservation, recreation, and educational opportunities. It has a mix of open fields and wooded areas as well as natural beaches. Near Sand Hill Road, Creamery Brook crosses the property as it flows into the Baker River. There are two fields on the property, a small 1-2 acre field near Sand Hill Road and a large 5+ acre field near the center of the property where the access driveway and parking area are located. The fields contain a mix of native grasses and wildflowers including milkweed and goldenrod that provide nesting and feeding habitat for several birds, notably turkeys and grouse. Please keep in mind that dogs must be on a leash during bird ground-nesting season, March 15 through July 15.
The remainder of the property consists of forests along the banks of the Baker River. There are many sugar maple, butternut, white ash, black cherry and birch trees that will provide for a shady walk on a sunny day. A walk through the marked trails might allow you to sight a bluebird or perhaps a wood turtle or other wildlife found along the river, fields or woods. Plans for the 2009 season include a small mowed parking lot near the access driveway off Route 25, field mowing, a seasonal portable toilet, walking trails and beach access for swimming/wading. The driveway access should be ready around Memorial Day. This past winter you may have travelled across a corner of the small field on the existing snowmobile trail which will continue to cross the property there. Traditional non-motorized recreational uses are also encouraged.