I recently visited Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary as a way to get around the epic killer of hope called the Friday afternoon commute. Since starting a new job in the MetroWest area last year, I’ve learned that getting on the road any time between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. on a Friday is pointless since I’m going to sit in stop-and-go traffic the entire way home.
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary was a great change of scenery from my usual stall tactics of going to the gym or heading to the mall. The Nature Center at Broadmoor was under construction when I visited in late August, with the check-in desk housed in a portable trailer. (It looks like the new Nature Center will be fantastic once it reopens though.)
The trails at Broadmoor are well-marked and easy to navigate. There is also an accessible boardwalk along the marsh that has benches if you just want to sit and birdwatch. I chose a longer trail that makes a small 2-mile loop around the sanctuary and includes a look at two small waterfalls.
On my way back around, I spied a family of swans. The photo below is a close-up of some adolescent swans that were feeding with the rest of the family.
There are also open water areas in the sanctuary. On a clear day, you can see clouds reflected in the water (photo below).
Not a Mass Audubon member? That’s okay! It’s only $5 for non-members to enter Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. (Members get in free.)