The newest places for open spaces: Signal Hill property in Canton celebrates grand opening

With access to 150 acres of trails, meadows, panoramic views and access to the Neponset River, Signal Hill in Canton is the Trustees of Reservations newest open space acquisition.

The trustees work to purchase parcels of land to preserve open space. Since 1891, the non-profit organization has helped protect more than 56,000 acres statewide. With more than 40,000 members, the organization oversees more than 24,000 acres on 96 reservations, according to its Web site.

"It's a nice place for a nice, easy hike," said Dennis Camp, superintendent for the property.

From the parking lot, accessible from University Road off Dedham Street, people can see the rocky outcroppings of Signal Hill, as it looms over a swath of grassland. The fairly smooth trail follows along the outskirts of the field and bends up behind the top of the hill. The property is open to the public year-round during daylight hours.

The top of Signal Hill provides sweeping views of Boston's skyline, Blue Hills and the fall foliage.

In 2005, George Bates, who owns a big chunk of land nearby Signal Hill, donated the land to the trustees. The trustees made some improvements to existing trail ways and added additional trails, before formally opening it to the public this past weekend, complete with a ribbon cutting, tours and canoe rides.

Signal Hill is one of three properties recently acquired by the trustees as part of a new 10-year strategic plan to engage more communities in the care and conservation of open space. The trustees recently opened Baker Reservation in Millis and Moose Hill Farm in Sharon, the latter visible from the top of Signal Hill.

"With over one-third of the state's population located in the southeastern and metro Boston regions of Massachusetts, and open land shrinking at an alarming rate of more than 40 acres a day, our mission is to lead and inspire more people who care to help protect special places in their communities," stated Steve Sloan, trustees southeast regional director. "We hope many people will join us this fall at these three beautiful properties where they can see for themselves the value of protecting special places while enjoying the outdoors with family and friends."

The land includes a good portion of wetlands and low lands as the Neponset River flows through the property. There is an area suitable for a canoe launch but as of now, the site is bit of a walk from the parking lot if carrying a canoe. Camp said he is working with Blue Hills Adventures, which rents canoes to set something up for the property.

"It's peaceful out there on the river," Camp said.

Though not all of it is accessible, about one mile of riverfront meanders through the property.

Walking along the trails, which are beginning to be covered with big, brown oak leaves, tiny grasshoppers hop along, rustling the leaves as they go. Surrounded by a canopy of red, green, orange and brown, those navigating the trails are sure to see the colors grow only brighter in the coming weeks. The soft dirt revealed deer foot prints and waterfowl decorated the river ways.

"There's plenty of room for them to run," Camp said regarding deer.

A short, easy walk takes people to the top of the hill, where the remnants of a cement signal tower still stand. The tower was used during World War II to signal aircraft from the Norwood Airport, Camp said.

Through the years, there have been several archaeological digs on the site, which have provided historians with countless Native American artifacts, Camp said.

For more information, visit www.thetrustees.org.

A brief history of Signal Hill:

<ul>

<li>In 1758, John Taunt bought land at the base of nearby Pillion Hill and built a house there. Taunt's eighth child Lemuel built a farm at the base of Signal Hill, which at the time was called Turtle Hill. Taunt's son probably built stonewalls on the property, the remnants of which are scattered about the 150 acres.</li>

<li>In 1770, residents of the area complained that the Pakeen Ghost was haunting the woodlands. The spirit made a cry that seemed to be a cross between a crying woman and a mountain lion. The residents sent Deacon Elihu Crane into the woods at midnight to exorcise the spirit. Crane wandered the fowl meadow chanting in a deep voice. The ghost was not heard of again.</li>

<li>In 1834-1835, The Boston and Providence Railway was constructed and cut through the farm and bisected Pillion Hill.</li>

<li>Some time prior to the 1830s, the White family purchased the land.</li>

<li>By 1882, there were no longer any homes on the site.</li>

<li>In 1913, the Neponset River was dredged. Photos of the dredging show the landscape was clear with few trees and shrubs.</li>

<li>In 1930, University Road was built as an access road to a sewer line between Neponset Street and Dedham Street.</li>

<li>In 1932, four runways were built on the Canton side of the Neponset River. American Airways, which was a predecessor to American Airlines, used the site. Charles Lindbergh flew there.</li>

<li>In 1940, the runways were abandoned in favor of a site on the Norwood side of the river. In the process, Pillion Hill was leveled and the fill was taken across the river by a temporary ford.</li>

<li>Ultimately, the land on the Canton side of the river was sold for development. George and Nancy Bates acquired a series of parcels between 1962 and 1983. The site has functioned as the home of the family's packaging company for four decades. Cynthia Bates, George and Nancy's daughter, completed a comprehensive history of the property in March 2006.</li>

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