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A Brief History:
Welcome to the Thewlis Woods – DAR Trail, a concise neighborhood loop with an intriguing story intertwined. This 27-acre property was donated to The Nature Conservancy by Harold Thewlis in May 1994, with ownership eventually being passed down to the South Kingstown Land Trust (SKLT). The trail was built by John Tarasevitch in 2006 as an Eagle Scout project and was funded by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Overall, the Thewis – DAR Trail is a 0.8-mile hike, with 0.1 miles of trail designated for reaching the loop and the remaining 0.7 miles as the loop itself (Trails & Maps).
Observations:
An observation you will make while on the trail is that there are other little side paths that either lead into the center of the property or link to people’s houses. To keep trail-goers on the right path, you will notice that there are blue-colored markings and South Kingstown Land Trust postings to keep you in the right direction. Furthermore, there are a lot of small rocks embedded in the soil that make it easy to trip and fall. These obstacles can be easily avoided by making sure you are looking where you are going. Finally, there is a lot of cut wood laying around which indicates that the trail is frequently monitored and maintained. Overall, everything you see on this trail makes it engaging and interesting throughout its duration, especially because of the newly incorporated storytime element.
The Experience:
The Thewlis Woods Trail is a very basic loop with little to see in terms of nature, but that’s not to say that I didn’t see anything. While I was on the trail I did see Grey Squirrels, Cotton-Tail Rabbits, and a whole bunch of Rhode Island's most basic bird species (Robin, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Wrens, etc…). Additionally, this particular trail currently incorporates a children’s story throughout the hike. As you enjoy the loop you will observe the signs, their words, and their illustrations. Altogether, it makes for a wonderful experience. The Thewlis Woods – DAR Trail offers a concise walk with an intriguing story intertwined. Despite the lack of time it took to complete the trail, it was dynamic, piquing, and exciting due to the story aspect it incorporated for the youth. Thewlis Woods has all of the factors to make a little bit of exercise well worth one’s time.
How I Felt About It:
Personally, this is my backyard trail, so it is very familiar to me. Since it is a trail that is right by my house and I have been on it a lot, I have realized how bland it is compared to other South Kingstown Land Trust trails. However, by including the children’s story into the mix, the trail is significantly more stimulating than it has been. Overall, I was thinking and reflecting on how the Thewlis Woods trail has little change in topography as you go around the loop, especially when you compare it to some of the trails that are in the Matunuck hills, or near bodies of water. Despite my acquaintance with the trail, it is always enjoyable to get outdoors and take in a breath of fresh air. I have spent so much time in Thewlis Woods–usually off the trail–that it is like second nature for me to not pay any attention and not have any problems with where I am going. I feel like this trail is ideal for people who are looking to take their dog for a quick walk and prefer not to go on the road. That being said, dogs must be kept on leash on SKLT trails.
Property of the South Kingstown Land Trust
Where Am I Parking?
The Thewlis Woods Trail is located in the Pine Hill neighborhood. There isn't a large parking area, so parking must be done on the right shoulder of the road, near the trailhead. Once you find yourself on Pine Hill Road, there will be a sharp left, a small hill to climb, and then a couple of winding turns before you will see the trail sign off to the right. Parking is typically done across from Woodbine Road, which is on the left.
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