Hayfield-on-Keeler Preserve
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Highlights
- 38 acres
- Conserved 1994
- 2.04 miles of trails
- Moderate Terrain
Activities
- Birdwatching
- Dog Walking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
Trail Description
Hayfield-on-Keeler Preserve offers a moderate hike through 1.8 miles of footpaths that wind through open meadows framed by beautiful, mature forests. Accessible from Keeler Lane, the preserve provides a peaceful blend of open and wooded landscapes including critical habitat for migratory ground-nesting birds. On the west side of the property, you’ll find a marked White Trail that leads into a forest with mature Hemlock lined ravines offering views of the nearby riparian area just beyond.
In 1994, NSOLF purchased this 38-acre preserve on Keeler Lane, just south of the bridge that shares its name. The land is a sweeping, open field that rises from the roadside and slopes gently toward a small tributary of the Titicus River. Still hayed each summer, the field provides vital habitat for wildlife. Bluebird nesting boxes have helped boost North Salem’s bluebird population, while each spring, bobolinks arrive from South America to nest in the tall grasses—making this one of the last remaining bobolink habitats in town.
We are dedicated to preserving the character and natural beauty of the town of North Salem, NY and the area around it by establishing land areas free from exploitation, development, and deterioration and by maintaining the environmental and ecological integrity of the area.