**New Emergency and Recreational Path Opens in Willis Woods**
LYNNFIELD — The more than 600 acres of undeveloped wooded area known as Willis Woods now features a large new public path that enhances access and safety for the community. Completed in November, this path was built through a collaborative effort between Middleton’s Bostik, Inc. and the Fire Departments of Lynnfield, Middleton, and North Reading.
The new path provides vital emergency services access to Willis Woods, as well as recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy this expansive green space. Willis Woods stretches across a large area spanning Lynnfield, Middleton, Peabody, and North Reading, and is owned by a mix of private landowners and municipalities. Notably, a more than 500-acre parcel is owned by the Lynnfield Center Water District (LCWD).
Bostik owns a sizeable parcel in Middleton situated between the Peabody Independence Greenway and the LCWD-owned section of Willis Woods. Over the years, the area has been the site of multiple brush fires and medical emergencies, but emergency responders often struggled to access the area quickly and safely.
Most of Willis Woods lies south of the Ipswich River, with only a small strip to the north. While there is a bridge across the river in North Reading, it cannot be certified to carry heavy equipment. As a result, fire department access to the southern portion was previously limited to foot or small vehicle traffic.
This new path addresses those challenges. Spearheaded by a collaboration between Bostik and the Lynnfield, Middleton, and North Reading Fire Departments, the project involved removing remaining sections of rail along the old rail bed, then compacting and paving it to make the path suitable for heavy vehicle traffic. Bostik hired and funded the private paving company to complete this work.
“The area has seen numerous brush fires over the years, and this new access will allow improved safety to the adjacent properties,” said Lynnfield Fire Chief Glenn Davis. “We are grateful for the collaboration of the Bostik Team and the North Reading, Middleton, and Lynnfield Fire Departments, as well as the North Reading, Middleton, and Lynnfield Departments of Public Works.”
North Reading Fire Chief Don Stats added, “Bostik has graciously agreed to and funded the site improvements needed for their property as well as their section of the trail which will allow full fire department access to the wooded area. I cannot stress enough how impressed I have been with Bostik’s willingness to assist us in this endeavor.”
Bostik, a subsidiary of the Arkema Group, operates a plant in Middleton where it produces a variety of adhesives and other products used across many industrial sectors. The plant has been in operation for 130 years and was historically serviced by the rail line that now forms the bed of the new path.
“When we were asked to build this emergency access road, it was an easy yes,” said Paul Caizzi, Middleton plant manager. “Bostik and Arkema have been part of this community for many years and appreciate everything the local community has done for us. Helping to make this community an even better place to live and work is important to us.”
The new path aligns with ongoing efforts by Lynnfield’s Open Space and Recreational Working Group, which functions as part of the town’s Planning and Conservation Department. For about five years, the group has been developing “A Vision for Willis Woods,” an initiative aimed at expanding protected land areas to preserve the contiguous wooded habitats critical to the towns.
The initiative also seeks to improve recreational usability by adding new paths like the one built by Bostik, as well as enhancing existing trails. This helps protect the ecosystem and the watershed that supplies much of Lynnfield’s water.
Chief Stats praised the Conservation Commissions and Public Works departments of all three towns for their partnership. “They have been instrumental in partnering with the Fire Departments and supporting our vision of the necessity for this project. This project has truly epitomized ‘teamwork’ and what can be accomplished together.”
In 2022, the Essex County Land Trust, also known as Greenbelt, purchased the Richardson Green portion of Willis Woods to protect it as undeveloped land and develop an entrance and path to the LCWD portion of the woods. This parcel is bordered by Main Street and serves as a major access point to Willis Woods.
Greenbelt President Christopher LaPointe praised Bostik’s contribution, stating, “The partnership between Bostik and the three towns is a major milestone, and we look forward to continued collaboration as we work to connect our Lynnfield Woodlot property to Willis Woods.”
This new path represents a significant step forward in enhancing both the safety and enjoyment of one of the region’s largest green spaces, benefiting residents and emergency responders alike.
https://itemlive.com/2025/12/08/lynnfield-willis-woods-gets-new-public-path/
