This is a summary of land management highlights over the years. There is a limited budget for maintenance, repairs, and improvements. Creative suggestions for improvements are always welcome! Email the Conservation Office at <conservation@newtonma.gov>.

2024

• Designed and installed new trail signs at all Conservation Areas
• Kesseler Woods: Created trail across Conservation Land and Conservation Restrictions
• Houghton Garden: Removed dead trees and repaired fence
• Norumbega: Resurfaced trails to make them more stable and accessible 

2023

• Webster Woods: Eagle Scout built new stairs at Webster Cliffs
• Norumbega: Installed benches and erosion controls along Charles River
• Saw Mill Brook: Established new trail 

2022

• Old Deer Park: Conservation Area opened to the public
• Flowed Meadow: Eagle Scout built new boardwalks
• Dolan Pond: Eagle Scout installed pollinator gardens 

2021

• Dolan Pond: Resurfaced and regraded trail between boardwalk and Cumberland Rd trailhead
• Norumbega: Continued invasive species control (mowing and cutting vines)
• Oakdale Woods: Implemented restoration plan for encroachment area
• Sawmill Brook: Reinforced existing boardwalk sections
• Old Deer Park: Created trail 

2020

• Hahn Brook: Restored encroachment area 
• Sawmill Brook: Restored encroachment area
• Webster Woods: Installed stairs at DCR trailhead to improve safety
• Webster: Eagle Scout installed bench and re-routed trail
• Houghton Garden: Completed hydro-raking of pond and stream, extended accessible trail 

2019

• Hahn Brook: Dredged brook to improve drainage
• Kennard: Developed and implemented invasive species control method
• Flowed Meadow: Replaced stolen signs and improved trail to picnic area
• Norumbega: Restored eroded slope and create new path
• Oakdale: Restored encroachment area

2018

• Helen Heyn: Installed new bridge over Country Club Brook
• Houghton Garden: Built new, permanent boardwalks
• Norumbega: Continued invasive control (mowing and cutting vines)
• Saw Mill Brook: Removed graffiti from rocky outcroppings
• Webster: Continued invasive control methods (mowing)
• Wilson: New trail created by Newton Conservators 

2017

• Charles River Pathway: Installed two benches
• Dolan Pond: Re-established connection from trail to dock, added stone dust to paths, repaired existing stairs
• Houghton Garden: Removed dead hemlocks and other trees and added stone dust to paths
• Kennard: Repaired existing boardwalk and stairs
• Norumbega: Continued invasive control (mowing and cutting vines), repaired steps, added wood chips to the paths
• Webster: Hired goats to control invasive species in the Old Deer Park 

2016

• Charles River Pathway: Improved trail
• Houghton Garden: Completed phase II of invasive species control (cutting and swab phragmites) and installed temporary boardwalks
• Norumbega: Continued invasive control (mowing and cutting vines), added wood chips along paths
• Webster Woods: Demolished a dilapidated barn 

2015

• Installed new trailhead and Conservation Area signs
• Flowed Meadow: Spread woodchips on paths
• Hunnewell: Created new trail connection to Hunnewell Park
• Houghton Garden: Initiated invasive species control (cutting and swab phragmites)
• Kennard: Removed old damaged fence; installed new bollards
• Norumbega: Continued invasive species control methods
• Saw Mill Brook: Revamped parking lot, installed new sections of boardwalk, undertook invasive species control effort
• Webster Woods: Installed a new section of boardwalk 

2014

• Dolan Pond: Repaired stone dust steps and pathways, repaired boardwalk
• Flowed Meadow: Installed new sections of boardwalk and spread woodchips on paths
• Norumbega: Initiated invasive species control methods (mowing and cutting vines)