Parkman Hill Farm

By Sam Shirley

Parkman Hill Farm is the new headquarters of the Somerset Woods Trustees. The 650-acre conservation area, as of spring 2025, had two trails which can be walked separately or together using a 0.3-mile section of Parkman Hill Road, a quiet dirt road, to connect them. It’s a very beautiful and peaceful spot for an easy walk.

The 0.7-mile northern loop starts next to historic farmhouse and barn near the top of Parkman Hill. The mowed path circles a large hayfield, providing beautiful views to the south and east from its upper edge. There is a picnic table and bench along this section of trail. Hunting is not allowed in this part of the conservation area, so it’s a particularly good walk for the fall.

The southern trail, the ~0.8-mile McCarty Meadow Loop, starts off on the discontinued McCarty Road. It has two distinct sections: the eastern part of the trail forms a loop through a small hayfield, while the western half passes through woods, including a nice section through white pines. There is another bench at the top of the hayfields. Hunting is allowed in this part of the conservation area.

The land trust explains that the “long-time landowner, who wishes to remain anonymous, gifted the property to Somerset Woods to assure her tradition of good stewardship continues for the benefit of nature and the Solon community.”

Directions: The farm is on Parkman Hill Road, just about 0.3 miles north of the intersection with Eaton Hill Road. You can park at this intersection.