BLT Protected Land


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Contact us at:
PO Box 10315
Bedford, NH 03110

Tel. 603-472-2216
bedfordlandtrust@hotmail.com 		           
  1. Hockman Conservation Land
  2. Benedictine Park
  3. Van Loan Preserve
  4. Pointer Brook Easement
  5. MacDermott Lot
  6. Middleton Lot (Town Pound)
  7. Joppa Hill Farm
  8. Sebbins Pond Easement
  9. Bedford School District Easement (two easements)

  1. Linda Moore Hockman Conservation Land - End of Moore's Crossing Rd at the Merrimack River - Future public access possible.
    In December 1993, the Bedford Land Trust was granted an easement on 10 acres of riverfront land at the end of Moores Crossing Road from Stephen Foster. The land was named after Linda Moore Hockman in 1997 in recognition of her many contributions to land conservation, including her founding of the Bedford Land Trust. The use of this parcel is restricted to passive recreation, such as hiking and bird watching, as well as canoeing.

  2. Benedictine Park - Wallace Rd. - Public access allowed.
    In May 1999, the Bedford Land Trust and the Town successfully saved approximately 28 acres of beautiful and unique land just outside Bedford's historic center, the Benedictine Land. Although the Land Trust turned the property which had belonged to the Benedictine Sisters over to the Town, we hold a conservation easement that will ensure that the open space will remain protected and available for passive recreation.
    Printable Trail Map

  3. Van Loan Preserve - Wallace Rd. (across from Benedictine Land) and North Amherst Rd.(Across from Muller Park) - Public access allowed.
    Access to this pristine natural wildlife area was made possible by a generous donation of a conservation easement by the Van Loan family in December of 2000. The Bedford Land Trust hired the Appalachian Mountain Club to construct trails on the property and to build a bridge over Riddle Brook. Two eagle scouts were also involved with trail construction. One opened up an entrance from North Amherst Rd. and constructed a kiosk. The other built bog bridges, blazed the trails and made signs. An event is planned for May 12, 2007 to open the trails to the public. (Only hikers, no wheeled vehicles allowed.)
    Printable trail map

  4. Pointer Brook Easement - Between Back River Rd and Tavistock Lane - Landlocked, no public access.
    In December of 2002, the Land Trust was granted an easement on approximately 6 acres of land that will be preserved for wildlife habitat. There is no public access to this privately owned property.

  5. MacDermott Lot - Wallace Rd. across from Benedictine Property - Public access allowed.
    This parcel of land, about 1/4 of an acre, was donated to the Land Trust by the Wally and Alison MacDermott. It is a key piece in that it provides public access from Wallace Rd. to the trails on the Van Loan property.

  6. Middleton Lot (Town Pound) - corner of North Amherst Rd. and Wallace Rd. - Public access allowed.
    In 2003, Ann and Jack Middleton donated approximately 2.5 acres of land known as the Town Pound to the Land Trust. This historic site abuts the Van Loan Preserve (previously described). The cost of restoration of the stonewalls and land was donated by the Silberberg family.

  7. Joppa Hill Farm - Joppa Hill Rd. - Public access allowed.
    This property, in the west end of Bedford, on the Bedford/Amherst border was acquired by the Town after the residents approved funding in the March 2001 election. Of the 312-acres, approximately 120 acres located in Amherst were sold to the Town of Amherst. The remaining 190 acres are preserved under a conservation easement held by the Bedford Land Trust. Provisions in the conservation easement deed allow for an educational farm, two soccer fields and possible future use of a "municipal" zone. The open fields of this conservation land are of great value to wildlife. This property provides opportunities for residents to hike, snowshoe and enjoy the activities at the educational farm located there.

  8. Sebbins Pond Easement - Future public access possible.
    A conservation easement, on approximately 23 acres of town-owned land near Sebbins Pond, was granted in 2004 as part of a mitigation requirement by the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for wetland impacts created by the Target-Lowes development on South River Road. Currently, there is no public access to the land for passive recreation. However, trail construction is a possibility in the future.

  9. Bedford School District Easements - County Rd. and Nashua Rd. - Future public access possible.
    In September of 2005 the Bedford School District was required by NHDES to grant a conservation easement on 11.4 acres of land in order to mitigate for wetland impacts associated with construction of the high school. The easement is composed of two parcels. One is on property behind the SAU building and contains a vernal pool, a valuable natural resource. The other easement parcel abuts the high school property.
    In January of 2008 the School District granted a second easement to the Land Trust, this time as mitigation for wetland impacts needed to construct ball fields between McKelvie and the SAU building. This easement is ~7.6 acres in size. It is west of the easement that has the vernal pool and is connected to it. The trails there are used for hiking, cross country practice and outdoor classrooms. Public access is allowed on this easement.