Clement Farm Trail
1314 Main Street
Haverhill, Massachusetts

History:
The Clement Farm Trail is situated on a beautiful 53-acre parcel of land bordering Plaistow, NH. Records obtained at the Haverhill Public Library show a long history of ownership in the Clement Family dating back to colonial times.

One of the first settlers to Haverhill was Robert Clement, Sr., who came with his family from England in 1642. His son, Robert Jr., was one of the colonists who signed the original Deed of Haverhill from the residing Native Americans. Lt. John Clement, a grandson of Robert Clement, Jr., was given a grant of land in Haverhill's North Parish on January 29, 1721. This land is the site of the present Clement Farm.

The original home built in 1721 was a wood-frame colonial with a typical long slanted rear roof. A number of generations of Clements lived in this house until Jesse Clement, the great-great grandson of Lt. John Clement, made the bricks and built the present Clement Farmhouse in 1813. He also planted, in 1822, many of the stately maple trees that still remain around the farm. Many more generations of Clements remained on the farm until March 6, 1930. On that date, an agreement was reached whereby the farm was deeded to the American Legion, Wilbur M. Comeau Post, for them to use and maintain until 1980, at which time the City of Haverhill would accept the deed to the property.

Currently, the building and grounds are still used and maintained by the American Legion, while the ballfields and hiking tails are improved and maintained by the D.P.W., the Recreation Department and the volunteers of the Haverhill Trails Committee. When visiting the area, notice the sturdy stone and mortar walls along the front of the Farm built as a W.P.A. project in 1938. You might also want to visit the North Parish Burial Ground across the street where you will find many of the Clement Family have been laid to rest.

Recreational Use:
As you enter the Clement Farm property, you will first encounter the ballfields used by many of the sports leagues in Haverhill. These fields were dedicated in 1998 in memory of Hank Woelfel, a dedicated public servant of the Haverhill athletic community. Once across the fields, you will find the wooded area and trails. This area has a diverse forest and plant community as well as abundant wildlife. We encourage you to participate in recreational activities that are compatible with natural resource protection. Hiking, bird watching, x-country skiing, photography and biking are a few examples. Don't forget to try your luck at the fine trout fishing along Little River!

Maintenance:
You can help us maintain and improve our Conservation Area:

• Report illegal activities to the Conservation Department at 978-374-2334 (office) or 978-373-1212 (Police). A Haverhill Conservation Officer will respond ASAP to investigate the violation.
  
  
• Take a bag along when in the area to pick up litter as you walk. Always take out what you bring in.
  
  
• We are always receptive to anyone interested in volunteering to help maintain or improve the area. If interested, call the Conservation/Trails Office.

Conservation Area Regulations:
The Clement Farm Trail is open to the public for hiking, biking, nature study, fishing, photography, x-country skiing, snowshoeing and other activities that do not damage the land or disrupt other people's enjoyment of it. To protect this area please obey the following list of state and local laws pertaining to the area.

It is forbidden in the Conservation Area:

• To operate a dirt bike, ATV, snowmobile, moped or any other motor vehicle on the trails.
• To discard litter of any kind.
• To consume or possess alcoholic beverages.
• To hunt or possess any firearm, bow and arrow, or slingshot in this City-owned area.
• To remove or deface any signs, structure, natural features, plants or wildlife nests.
• To tent, camp or make open fires.
• To have unleashed dogs.

Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $300.00 plus the replacement or repair costs of damages.