A Short Stroll: Cushing Conservation Area and the Gerie Zaretsky Memorial

The 10-acre Cushing Conservation Area, located along Chestnut Street in Seekonk contains a short hiking trail by and through a field, wetland, forested glades, and a small stream and pond. Elizabeth and Harold Cushing donated the area to the Seekonk Land Conservation Trust in 1973.

In 1993, the Gerie Zaretsky Memorial was established to honor the accomplishments of this past-president of the Seekonk Land Conservation Trust (1988-1991) for her interest and efforts in preserving land. A stone bench was placed by the pond and dedicated to the memory of Gerie Zaretsky for the time and service she gave to the Land Trust and the town of Seekonk.

Cushing Conservation Area is located on Chestnut Street, .2 miles from the intersection and stop sign at Back Street. The site is on the left and has a new small stone parking area for 3 cars. Along the trail, which is truly only about a 300 yard walk, you will find an area that has new plantings and rocky outcrops along a wide grassy path which provides good nesting places for water fowl and bird watching. Along the path there are rushes, ferns, and the path is buffered by outgrowths of healthy early-blooming chartreuse skunk cabbage and stands of tall fragmites. At the end of the path is an open clearing and stone bench dedicated to the memory of Gerie Zaretsky by a trickling pond.

Recently, Jim Cahill, a friend of the Zaretsky family, gave a donation to clean up the area, clear it of invasives, and plant native shrubs. Cahill then pledged funds to further maintain and improve the area with newly planted dogwoods, French pussy willow, red maple and river birch.

The trail ends in a peaceful spot in another world— all within easy reach of your car!

Bring a book or just open ears to listen to the birds, the wind in the trees, and the water trickling by as you contemplate our good fortune at having predecessors like Gerie Zaretsky, a conservationist and local caretaker of land in our community.