Urban Forestry Center
NileGuide Expert Says:
A wonderful getaway for those who don't want to travel far from Portsmouth's many attractions.
Address:
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801
Phone:
603-431-6774
NileGuide Expert tip:
Any time is great for a visit to the Urban Forestry Center but spring, fall and winter -- off-seasons for the Seacoast's many summer visitors -- are best.
Description:
The Urban Forestry Center is a pastoral oasis often overlooked by visitors to Portsmouth. Managed by the State of New Hampshire's Division of Forests and Lands, the center is an ecological laboratory featuring a mixture of deciduous and northern hardwood forest, red pine and blue spruce trees, and a scenic salt marsh wetland. Upon entering the property's 180 acres, visitors are greeted by a gracious brick walkway with handrails that features fragrant and colorful flowers and herbs that stir the senses through sight, touch and sound. Several wide, generally level walking trails course throughout the center. The Tree Identification Trail is a self-guided walk that enables visitors to view up close the center's rich inventory of trees. The Goodwin Trail features a two-mile roundtrip through lush woodland where native wildflowers and animals can be spotted. Trails also run along the perimeter of the center's 60-acre salt marsh, which serves as a buffer between fresh and salt water. Several overlooks featuring comfortable benches allow lingering views of the marsh's languid tidal flows. While the center is a favorite with casual strollers, it is ideal for off-road biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The terrain's gentle twists, dips and turns are suitable for all who appreciate a wilderness refuge in the midst of urban living.
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