This adventure started many years ago as a simple COSS idea. We wanted something cheerful for families to do outdoors in winter that did not cost anything and did not require special equipment. The first year only a few decorated trees went up at Bartlett Park, and it was meant to be a small experiment.
Then it took off. Kids dragged parents out to find the next tree. Grandparents joined in. People explored trails they had never walked before. Dogs loved it. Decorations got more creative every season. What began as a small COSS concept is now a well known winter activity and one of the happiest traditions in town.
How to join the hunt: Visit each address on the list below, find the decorated tree, and take a photo of your team in front of it.

Well, another amazing day. One of the things you realize as you get older is that time is precious. As we get closer to winter, good outdoor days become even rarer. The plan we started last week and posted about got a lot of traction. When I arrived this morning, a crew of about six […]

Number | Location | Group | Address 1 | Bartlett Park Upper | Pack 107 | 27 Acton Rd 2 | Bartlett Woodlot | Daisy Troop 74221 | 27 Acton Rd 3 | Proctor Pasture | Emmily Deschene | 44 Proctor Rd 4 | Bartlett Park Lower ADA | Ouellette | 27 Acton Rd 5 […]

Major event time is here. With three events happening almost all at once things are about to get busy around town and there will be a lot of chances to enjoy the outdoors before winter really takes hold. This stretch between Thanksgiving and the holidays is one of the best times to get outside, explore […]

How a Trail Is Designed Learning from the Koulas Farm Extension Project Designing a walking trail looks simple when you see the final product, but the process behind it is careful, slow, thoughtful, and based on many years of experience. At Koulas Farm we are beginning work on a new trail extension that will eventually […]

Phase 1 of transforming the old silage pit into a restored winter sledding hill for kids is now complete. As a prelude to the Saturday 9 am work party, John and I headed out for a quick check and cleanup. Two hours later we had cleared and prepared the entire pit area for the full work party. You can now clearly see the pit, the slopes, and its full size. I even used John as a comparison in the photos.

Growing Participation in Recreation Programs Since the COVID-19 pandemic, park and recreation agencies have expanded their offerings for older adults. Approximately 62% of agencies have increased the number of programs available to this demographic, while only 7% have reduced them. Additionally, nearly one-third of agencies have increased staff dedicated to older adult programming since 2019 […]

COSS Day Before Thanksgiving Walk Background, Purpose, and Operational Plan For nearly 20 years, the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship (COSS) group has hosted the Day Before Thanksgiving Walk at Thanksgiving Forest. What began as a way to reclaim the forest from destructive activity has grown into one of the town’s best-loved traditions, drawing hundreds of […]

Nestled in the northern reaches of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Oak Hill Conservation Area offers a unique blend of natural beauty and industrial heritage. Spanning approximately 66 acres, it invites visitors to explore wooded trails, remnants of granite quarries, and a rich history dating back to the early 19th century.
The story of Oak Hill begins in the early 1800s when the region’s granite was highly sought after for its quality and durability. In 1826, Isaac Carkin began extracting granite from Oak Hill, marking the beginning of a significant industry in the area. Over the decades, quarrying operations left behind remnants that can still be observed today.

If you have ever strolled the beach at Heart Pond on a summer afternoon, it might feel timeless, but the pond’s story actually begins 12,000 years ago, when a retreating glacier left behind a giant block of stranded ice. As that block melted, the earth around it collapsed, forming what geologists call a kettle pond. Heart Pond is one of those rare relics, a deep, round basin, about 91 acres, with water as old as Chelmsford itself.