Snow doesn't deter hikers

Almost 100 residents braved the frigid temperatures on Jan. 1 last week for the eighth annual Norwood Trails Advisory Committee (NTAC) First Day Hike of 2026.

This year’s hike featured a two-mile trot through the Pine Tree Forest off Vanderbilt Avenue. The snow was fresh, coffee hot, and there were hand warmers provided by the Norwood Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, which is hosting an open house on Jan. 12 at the Morrill Memorial Library at 7 p.m.

Members gathered at the end of Vanderbilt and traded shoveling stories, New Year’s Eve party gossip, and the ins and outs of the different trails around Town and beyond. Several patrons said they came from outside of Norwood because of the work that the NTAC has done over the last eight years to promote trails in Norwood.

One patron, Hans Luwald, said, “I’m really impressed with them, I follow them in the newspaper and they just do a lot; I live in Walpole and there’s hardly anything going on with our trails,” he said. “I have done New Year’s Day hikes in Walpole… They have a few morning hikes, but they were in the morning and there was so much snow, I just didn’t want to go!”

Luwald said he is often out walking and wouldn’t miss an opportunity to be out with some new friends here in Norwood.

“I like to be outside, I walk a lot almost every day, and this is an opportunity to see a new area and see new people,” he said.

Westwood resident Rich de Reyna said he also wanted to find something new out here in Norwood.

“I have a group of people I hike with every week, and I’m here because I’m always looking for places I haven’t been before,” he said. “I’m used to hiking in the Hale Reservation and Blue Hills and a lot of other places, but this was one I haven’t heard of before.”

Newly-minted NTAC Chair Christopher Paddock and Vice Chair Lee Leach led the day – however former chair and NTAC co-founder Joseph Greeley was still in attendance, despite his recent announced retirement from the group – and they led the 70 or so people through the winding and slippery trails.

Paddock welcomed residents to the trail and thanked the Norwood Masons for bringing hot cocoa for the hike.

The highlight of the walk was the new water crossing in the northwest portion of the trail. This was around the end of the walk, as the trail loop was started in the southeast. This was a serious highlight, however, as the contrast between that new water crossing – one of many, hopefully – and the current plank board water crossings was plain.

Just picture a wooden two-by-four placed – not secured, placed – laterally over other two-by-fours that have been pile driven into the ground. Those were the current water crossings that the NTAC is looking to replace. The group is always looking for volunteers, by the way.

No one fell in, but between the snow, the narrow ad hoc crossings and some of the more sharp elevation changes in the terrain, it was a close-run thing.

“It is very slippery out there this morning, and so please be careful with your footing,” Paddock said. “I already ate it out there twice this morning, so don’t rush when you’re out there. We’ll make sure no one gets left out there.”

Everyone was in good spirits on the return, however. Leach and Paddock said they got a good response from residents.

“By my count we were just over 90 hikers; nice turnout!” said Leach. “It turned out to be enjoyed by many and we had quite a group join us at The Castle Island Brewery for post-hike libations.”

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Resident Tony Concannon said he had walked the trail in the past, but not recently, since the construction of the new water crossing.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the new bridge and talking with folks on the trail,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to it, it’s been a bit cold but it should be fun.”

Resident Greg Aubin and his kids Andy and Louisa Bouchard said they came out to “enjoy the weather,” for their first First Day Hike.

“We heard through the Comp Plan Committee,” Aubin said. “We’ve been around the Trails in Town for a bit now.”

Andy Bouchard said their current favorite is the trails around Hennessey Field.

“That one’s really nice,” he said.