North Common Meadow

North Common Meadow is a protected grassland spanning about 25 acres in Petersham, Massachusetts, featuring wildflowers and a small pond with lily pads. The area provides habitat for several frog species and connects via trails to the adjacent Brooks Woodland Preserve.

The land once served as pasture and was later converted into a golf course for the Nichewaug Inn. It became a protected area in 1975 following an anonymous donation that preserved it for conservation.

The site belongs to the Petersham Common Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982. It plays a role in the area's identity as a protected green space within a historic community.

You can enter the meadow from North Main Street or East Street, with clear trails connecting to the neighboring woodland preserve. Spring and summer offer the best visiting experience when wildflowers bloom and birds are most active.

The meadow serves as a nesting ground for bobolinks, red-winged blackbirds, and eastern meadowlarks, which return to breed during different seasons. This habitat attracts bird watchers looking for species that are less common in other parts of the region.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.49440,-72.17530

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:41