Syrjala Conservation Area

Syrjala Conservation Area

Yarmouth, Massachusetts 02673

Official Website
Syrjala Conservation Area map

About this Location

The Raymond J. Syrjala Conservation Area is a 15-acre area located between Winslow Gray Road and West Yarmouth Road, just north of MA-28. The beginning of the trail follows along the bank of Plashes Brook into a thickly wooded area and then along a fence to an opening with the six cranberry bogs. The public is allowed to travel around the bogs with their leashed pets if they are respectful to those who are working.

There is a small reservoir that is full of life on the north side of the conservation land. Black racer snakes, frogs, turtles, and great blue herons flourish in the area with lots of vegetation and waterlilies. Around the bogs and in the uplands many deer, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, rabbits, squirrels, and various songbirds can be seen. Raptors such as hawks and ospreys are often seen soaring high above the forest canopy and wood ducks can sometimes be spotted in the reservoir. Other vegetation includes highbush blueberry, sweet pepperbush, gray birch, tupelo, maleberry, sheep laurel, huckleberry, inkberry, and fetterbush. Greenbrier is also abundant and is an excellent food source for deer. Ground covers such as Canadian mayflower, teaberry, and starflower dot the herbaceous layer while bracken and cinnamon fern add greenery to the forest floor. 

​​The area is named after one of the Yarmouth Conservation Commission’s charter members, Raymond J. Syrjala. The land was owned and farmed by the Kittila family of West Yarmouth and was conveyed to the Town in 1981.

Notable Trails

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Syrjala Conservation Area.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Official Website

Last updated March 20, 2024