New boardwalk at Guernsey Sanctuary in Wellesley under (snow)cover for now

December 30, 2025

We popped over to Guernsey Sanctuary last weekend to get in touch with nature, and see how the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust’s boardwalks project is coming along. Apparently the WCLT, stewards of the 25-acre property, located half in Wellesley and half in Needham, intend to keep the project a secret for now. At least visually. The three almost-completed boardwalks were hidden under fresh snowfall. Christo himself couldn’t have wrapped them up better. Stay tuned for the big reveal later this year.

Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, Guernsey Sanctuary, boardwalk, winter 2025
Nice try hiding under the snow, boardwalk. We see you.

 

Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, Guernsey Sanctuary, skier, winter 2025
A cross country skier glides along, untroubled by mucky conditions beneath the boardwalk. Needham side of the Sanctuary.

 

Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, Guernsey Sanctuary, boardwalk, winter

Down at the boardwalks

Two things are true about Guernsey Sanctuary. First, the protected area is one of the towns’ best woodland walking spots. Second, a few of the trails tend toward muck during most seasons of the year. Thus, the boardwalks project. Once complete, the boardwalks will meander along over 300 feet of Guernsey Sanctuary’s muddiest trails. The addition of the boardwalks will keep hikers from veering off-trail and trampling ecologically sensitive areas in an effort to keep footwear mud-free.

New boardwalk locations

  • the Winding River entrance near the aqueduct entrance
  • near the wetlands/skunk cabbage area
  • near the Locust Lane entrance

If you’re bored this winter, adopt a board. WCLT will recognize donors who contribute at the “10 or more feet of boardwalk” level with a plaque on the starting board of that section.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com