In December 2001, the Winter family deeded 51.75 acres of beautiful woodland, fields, wetland with historical features to the Narrow River Land Trust (NRLT). The property is one-half mile wide, spanning from Middlebridge Road to Tower Hill Road (Route 1). Purchase of the property by NRLT was possible in part due to a $200,000 grant from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
This property is accessible to the public on a trail that begins right across from 793 Middlebridge Road. Look for the small plank bridge over the drainage swale, and the indentation in the stone wall. You will need to park on nearby Riverside Road or a little farther south at the playground. The trail takes you up the hill to the location of an old graphite mine.
The Coojoot Graphite Mine was used commercially by the landowners from the 1700s until the early 1900s but was never a great financial success. The term Coojoot can be attributed to the Narragansett Indian Tribe though the exact meaning is not recorded in historical records. It was a graphite mine, never a lead mine, but there existed confusion on this point in the early Colonial Days.
What remains of the mining enterprise now is an open pit, old stone walls, and an entrance or two. Use extreme caution if you explore this area and keep a safe distance away from the edges of the pit. For more about the Coojoot Mine, see this 1939 article about the mine and this 2003 discussion of the history of the mine prepared for the NRLT.
In 2023, NRLT recruited the Youth Conservation League (YCL) to improve the main trail. A full day was devoted by board members and the YCL to removing invasive species and grading and widening the trail for an easier and safer hiking experience. The trail is now in excellent shape.
The property is home to the typical woodland creatures, including abundant deer, coyotes, and bobcats. One can expect to see chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, catbirds, and turkeys. Barred owls also live in the area as do red-tailed hawks. If you are visiting, remember to protect against ticks.
Deer hunting is allowed from September 15 to January 31st annually on this property (by permission only). Wear the appropriate blaze orange garment when hiking during this period. Always be considerate of the neighbors and respect their property boundaries.
Quick Facts:
- The trailhead can be found on the west side of Middlebridge Road in South Kingstown, between 784 and 806 Middlebridge Road.
- Access to this property is only allowed from Middlebridge Road.
- The closest parking is at Treaty Rock Park, a short distance away from the trailhead.
- The trail can be muddy after heavy rains.
- Dogs should be on a leash.
- This is a residential neighborhood; be considerate when using the trail.
- Hunting is allowed from September 15 to January 31st. Wear blaze orange during that period.