The 111-acre conservation area formerly known as Parsonage Hill has been officially renamed Viburnum Woods, honoring the abundant mapleleaf viburnum that flourishes beneath the forest canopy.
The Essex County Greenbelt Association, in partnership with the City of Haverhill, acquired the property last year for $690,000 from the estate of Martin A. Chooljian and the Martin Almas Chooljian Revocable Trust. The purchase was supported by a $217,600 state grant and a $254,187 donation from the estate of Maureen Corbett, a former Haverhill mayoral candidate who passed away in 2017. Additional funding came from foundations and private donors across Essex County, according to Greenbelt President Christopher B. LaPointe.
A recent celebratory hike through Viburnum Woods marked the official opening, featuring remarks from Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, State Representative Ryan M. Hamilton, and LaPointe.
The conservation area serves as a vital habitat for beavers and a variety of migratory and resident birds. It contains mature hardwood stands alongside a rich understory of ferns, wildflowers, and the namesake viburnum. Camp Brook, which traverses the property, feeds into the Merrimack River. Greenbelt spokesperson William Ewing highlighted the ecological benefits of the woods and wetlands, noting their role in flood mitigation, water storage during droughts, and natural cooling through tree canopy coverage.
LaPointe emphasized the property’s recreational value, stating, “It’s an attractive parcel in many ways and connects to the McPherson Wood Lot, which was donated to Essex Greenbelt years ago. We’ve developed new walking trails and encourage the public to come enjoy the scenery.”
Visitors can access Viburnum Woods via Parsonage Hill Road off North Broadway, near Tattersall Farm.
Management of the land will be overseen by the Essex County Greenbelt Association, with the City of Haverhill holding a permanent conservation restriction to protect the area in perpetuity.
