Dacey Community Fields

When I first drove into the Dacey Community Field park in Franklin, I was struck by the utter boringness of it. Baseball fields, soccer fields with emrald-green, weed-free grass; playground equipment that was large but bland. Even the dedication sign looks like a tombstone. I hope this family wasn't memorialized because they all perished in a tragic accident. . . but I think that's what this means. How awful.



I was most interested in the edges of the park, and what was growing there. On my first trip I couldn't see past the buckthorn and other invasives. That quick trip left a bad taste in my mouth. But I figured it was worth a second look. There are some natural features about that break up the manicured grass monoculture blandness.



Every child needs a rock to climb on.



Behind the playground there are a few paths leading out into wild areas. Having Gabe with me in a stroller, I didn't get to explore down them, but this one in particular looks promising. Notice the purple flowers on the lower left.



That's New England Aster, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, a fantastic purple purple purple native. This is the first time I have seen it growing abundantly in the wild. I will have to return for seeds.



Pokeweed, Phytolacca americana, looking gloriously pink.



The ubiquitous and lovely goldenrod.



More asters of some sort, in a wonderful dense drift.



There were many happy bees lolling about in this plant.



Hey, I recognize this fly. It's the first one I've seen that hasn't been nauseatingly glued to a leaf by fungus.

I'm glad to see that this part has some redeeming qualities, because it's only a couple of miles from home.