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Saw Mill Brook and Kesseler Woods Conservation Areas

Overview

This site consists of three adjacent conservation areas:  Saw Mill Brook, Kesseler Woods, and Baldpate Meadow.

The Saw Mill Brook trail follows brook through wooded upland and wetland and by old stone fences and dramatic puddingstone outcroppings.  The trail system in Kesseler was under development as of 2026.

The rea connects to a much larger green corridor running through West Roxbury and South Newton. Near the Marla Circle end of the trail, you can walk into St. Joseph Cemetery and from there, cross Baker Street to Brook Farm Historic Site. Beyond Brook Farm is the Blue Heron Trail along the Charles. More about the long walk

 

Size: 27 acres    Longest Walk: 0.8 miles    Acquired: 1979 to 1985, and 2004

Longer Walks that include this property:
Charles River to Newton Centre

Maps

Locator Map and Driving Directions

To get driving directions to the site, click on a red marker, scroll to the bottom of the pop-up box, and click Directions on Google Maps

 

Citywide Map from Newton GIS System

Other maps and aerial photos:

Bing Maps bird’s-eye view

 

 

Trail Map


Click map for larger image

Owner & Administrator Websites


Photo Gallery

History

1979

City acquired northwest parcel using state self-help funds.

1982

City acquired southern parcel from Temple Beth Avodah and from Benjamin Kaplan, using self-help funds.

1985

City acquired middle parcel by eminent domain, using state self-help funds.

2004

NSTAR sold 42-acre Kesseler Woods to a developer. City of Newton received a conservation restriction on about 30 acres, including 9-acre West Kesseler Woods alongside Saw Mill Brook. The larger Kesseler Woods parcel lies across Vine Street.

Features

Biking: Prohibited, Conservation Area, Dogs On Leash, Geologic Features, Other Long Route, River/Lake/Pond, Scenic View