I had never heard of the Peabody Mill Environmental Center until just this morning. It sounds like a neat place.

It’s odd it had escaped my notice. The Telegraph has mentioned it many times, our own archives show, and it’s my kind of place… all about the outdoors. It’s a town-run operation, located at the end of Brook Road, alongside the town’s Joe English Reservation conservation land (which abuts the New Boston Air Force Tracking Station property). The map on their website is a little murky, so try this one.

Mountain biking is not allowed, but it’s probably a nice place to run, hike, snowshoe, etc., and there are a couple cool events coming up. Here’s the info, cut and past from the PMEC Web site:

How to Survive in the Wilderness Hike
Saturday, November 10th, 1:00-3:00PM
Saturday, December 15th, 10:00AM-12:00PM
Are you a casual hiker who wants to know more about hiker safety and survival?
Join Mountain Man, Chas Terry, for a stroll through the PMEC woods while learning about hiker safety and survival. Chas will discuss hiking safety, hiking during hunting season, and survival skills. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the trails at the PMEC. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring water to drink. Advance registration recommended. $5 per person/ $12 per family.

Orienteering Program
Saturday, November 24th, 10:00AM-1:00PM
Workshop for beginners (and those needing a refresher) at 10:00AM
Let the races begin! Join us for a day of orienteering. Orienteering, which is the sport of navigation with map and compass, is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and experiences. The object of orienteering is to run or walk to a series of control flags, choosing routes on and off trail that will help you find the checkpoints and get back to the finish in the shortest amount of time. Beginners will learn about orienteering and then try their skills on an easy course. Experts can begin their quest right away on a more challenging course. Participants can choose from several courses: white (novice), yellow (beginner) and orange (intermediate). People who love maps, exploring, and the great outdoors, will enjoy orienteering. $6 per person. Instructors: PMEC Staff