Editing Ashby, Massachusetts (section)

== State Forest ==
The Town of Ashby is home to a large portion of the [[Willard Brook State Forest]] managed by the Massachusetts [[Department of Conservation and Recreation]]. Willard Brook contains 2,597 acres of land of varied terrain.   The state forest property has facilities for camping, cooking, swimming and picnicking available.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Willard Brook State Forest {{!}} Mass.gov |url=https://www.mass.gov/locations/willard-brook-state-forest |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=www.mass.gov |language=en}}</ref> Info about the forests operating hours and amenities can be found on the Commonwealth of MA Website.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/locations/willard-brook-state-forest|title=Willard Brook State Forest &#124; Mass.gov|website=www.mass.gov}}</ref>

=== Damon Pond ===
[[File:Ashby-Damon-Pond-Sign.jpg|thumb|Damon Pond sign on Route 119 in Ashby]]

Damon Pond is a man-made swimming pond that was constructed, along with several other features of the state forest property, by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps|CCC]] sometime between 1933 and 1940. The pond was created by an area of Willard Brook that is impounded by a dam.

=== Hiking Trails ===
The forest contains several hiking trails, horseback riding, and mountain biking. In the winter, the forest plays host to cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Many trails are groomed and maintained by local snowmobile groups in the winter to ensure safe and easy access to the trails.<ref name=":0" />

The Friends and Family Loop Trail, a walking trail suitable for all ages, is four miles long and connects to the Pearl Hill State Forest.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Ashby-Trap-Falls.jpg|left|thumb|Trap Falls located in the Willard Brook State Forest along Massachusetts Route 119]]

=== Trap Falls ===
A waterfall located in the Willard Brook State Forest with a height of between 10 and 12&nbsp;ft. The ferocity of the falls is dependent on the time of year, with the highest flows being in the spring and early summer.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Parsons |first=Greg |title=Trap Falls - Massachusetts |url=https://newenglandwaterfalls.com/ma-trapfalls.html |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=New England Waterfalls |language=en}}</ref>

The falls is supplied by Trap Fall Brook, that starts near the New Hampshire border and runs southeast and eventually joins Willard Brook after crossing under Route 119.<ref name=":1" />

The falls is a short walk from the parking area located along Route 119. A walking bridge is located at the base of the falls, providing access to the opposite side.
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