RIVERBEND

RIVERBEND

OUR HEADQUARTERS

Our Riverbend headquarters, located at 143 County Rd in Ipswich, is a beautiful 23-acre property on the Ipswich River, given to us through the extraordinary generosity of Dr. Bob Petranek with an additional 9 acres donated by the Smith Family and the Congress Corporation. The grounds, which are open to the public, include trails, a green building, water wise demonstration gardens and a dock. Members may use our kayaks and canoes for FREE. BOATS ARE AVAILABLE MAY 1 - NOVEMBER 1.

PADDLE 

Bring your non-motorized boat to our dock or become a member and use our boats for free. We have 17 kayaks, 3 tandem kayaks, and 8 canoes available for member use. Boats are available from May 1 to November 1 on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are required. We also provide life vests and paddles. Paddle 1 mile downstream to the Ipswich Mills Dam or upriver, perhaps for miles depending on the water level. You can buy an Ipswich River Paddling Guide and Map online or at Riverbend.

 

The creation of the lower parking area and river access road is a joint conservation project of the Town of Ipswich and the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Three parking spaces are available in the lower parking area for paddlers bringing their own boats.

TRAILS

Two trails lead from our headquarters at the top of the hill to the river. Once by the river, a trail beginning by our dock heads upstream through a large section of old formal gardens. Although overtaken by growth since the 1950’s, the Bainard Gardens include mature plantings and interesting stone features such as stairs, a fish pond and a stone pagoda overlooking the river.


Our riverside habitat is key to the movement of wildlife, shading the river from the summer’s heat and absorbing the energy of floods. River otters, bald eagles, beaver, wood ducks, owls, fisher, fox, deer and a variety of other birds and mammals have been seen on the property. Keep your eye out for three interpretive signs along the trails. They will teach you about floodplain forests, river life and the history of the Barnard Gardens.

SUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATIONS

Our Riverbend headquarters showcase our commitment to low impact development (LID). Check out our indoor and outdoor sustainability demonstrations and get inspired to conserve water, prevent pollution and reduce your impact on the environment. Our sustainability demonstrations include:

  • Native plant gardens and rain garden
  • Green roof
  • Permeable pavers
  • Rain barrel & cistern
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station
  • Solar array
  • Energy saving power strips and LED lighting
  • Water efficient water fixtures and appliances

COME VISIT US!

Check out our sustainability demonstrations, walk our trails, paddle or chat with our staff. The property is open sunrise to sunset, year-round and the office is open weekdays 8 – 4 pm.

RULES & REGULATIONS

  • Please carry out what you carry in
  • Dogs must be leashed, please pick up waste
  • Fires and camping are prohibited
  • No swimming or jumping off of dock
  • Disturbing, removing or defacing any natural feature, sign or structure is prohibited
  • Property is open from dawn to dusk.
  • Our dock is put in at the beginning of May and taken out near the end of October.