Johnson and Henrich Woods
Short Essay about the Johnson - Henrich Woods
Video of early spring walk on Johnson-Henrich land
Updated map of J/H woods walks
Trail Gallery
Some Spring Photos
Watch the Wood Frogs Hop Across the Ice!
Rumford River in Early Spring
Cryptic Coloration of Wood Frog at Vernal Pool
Old Photos of Johnson Woods
Photos of Johnson Woods in the 1940s when the land was open pasture. Lucky the horse, and domestic geese on the vernal pool on the Johnson Woods land. Thanks to Ruth Church for the photos.
Map 10 Parcel 480 25.14 Acres North Washington Street Rear
The Henrich Woods. The gift of Jean and Leonard Henrich. It is bounded by the old railroad track bed on the east (now the property of Mansfield Sewer and water), and runs down to the Rumford River on the west. There is Shell Oil pipeline right of way through it that provides north-south access, and a path from the railroad track bed to the river. It is signed on North Washington Street at the Johnson Woods, and there is also a path through from that parking area. There are two certified vernal pools, a grove of old pine trees, and mixed hardwoods. In addition there are Indian pipes, many toads, and a number of shrubs, including blueberries. The path toward the north is low, and wet much of the rest is dry. There may be a large chestnut tree on this land or abutting land which is protected by a CR. Given on December 26,1995. SIGNED $150,000.00
Narrative for Map 10
Mrs. Henrich donated Henrich Woods. She had sold some other land and did this as a tax write-off. It is especially nice that it is near land with a conservation restriction.
LPS helped the heirs of the Johnson lands (Arline Cox and the Churches) get government aid so that the town could purchase the land. Originally funds were designated from state water and conservation funds, but that money was then diverted to the western part of the state. Barney Frank was able to get federal money to purchase the land, which is called Johnson acres (blue border on map). The family was so appreciative that they donated the land called Johnson Woods to LPS (green border on map).
Vernal pools are marked on the maps. If they have been certified they are numbered. The certification process includes a detailed inventory and the presence of obligate species.
Jessica Fahey Tenzar did the work to certify 1573 and 1574. She later did a larger study on salamander migration on 1574. It included DNA sampling and became part of her master’s thesis.
Frances bought land parcel 10-576 for LPS on Cross Street at a tax sale.
A former pipeline for Shell Oil goes through Henrich Woods and the CR land. The pipeline now has inert gas in it. It is walkable as there are no trees and it is like a road.
Trail Map
PDF Map
Hand Drawn Map