The Bragdon Farm

This landmark property on Route 101, at the Amherst/Bedford border, is now a favorite for families from around the region for hiking and winter fun. The Bragdon property includes not only the famous sledding hill but a substantial piece of woodland across the highway, all of which were originally part of a large farm. The original farm house is now a private home, while the old barns, which were about where the parking lots now are, have been removed.

The Town of Amherst purchased the Bragdon property in 1995 with funds from the Amherst Conservation Commission, an appropriation by Town Meeting, and a large anonymous donation from a long-time resident of Amherst (who happened to also be a founding member of the Amherst Land Trust). Later the donors became concerned over the lack of legal protection for the land's conservation status. The Land Trust arranged for an attorney to work with the Conservation Commission and the donor to develop deed restrictions satisfactory to the donor's original intent. Then the Trust took ownership of the property just long enough to place the restrictions on the deed and return it to the Town!