The Friends of the Crusher Lot is a community organization formed to promote the beautification, restoration, improvement and protection of the Crusher Lot (aka the West Woods or the Ottoson Woods) in Arlington Heights, Massachusetts. We aim to keep the woods clean, safe and natural. We invite active membership in the organization and seek to represent the community of neighbors and users who care about the Crusher Lot.
January 2023 – vernal spring in action
The first real snow of the 2022-2023 season
Crusher Lot Woodland Fall Cleanup
Join us for the fall cleanup in the Crusher Lot just before the leaves come down on Monday Oct 10 3-5pm (Monday of the 3 day weekend) or rain date Oct 16. There will be junk and lots of glass shards to collect (please bring gloves)!
Garlic Mustard Pull: Saturday, May 14
The Land Steward has provided an update on his initial removal of this year’s invasive garlic mustard at the Crusher Lot, along with a suggestion that the Friends group follow up on his efforts. A few of us who know how to recognize the plants plan to meet
where the Ottoson driveway meets Benjamin Rd at 3PM on Saturday, May 14.
Please join us! Bring a bag for the plants (they will need to go in the trash), a tool to help you remove them from the soil (a small trowel or large screwdriver works) and whatever protection you need from potential exposure to poison ivy.
We’re hoping to see you there!
And please don’t forget to check for and remove garlic mustard in our own yards while it is easy to spot.
A Rainy Day in May
Spring Cleanup – Saturday, April 23, 2-4 PM
Mark your calendar!
Meet at the clearing in the middle at 2 PM. We expect to work together for a few hours, but timing is flexible.
Land Steward Michael Ratner will be on hand to demonstrate how to recognize and cut Oriental Bittersweet vines.
Your children are welcome to help and can learn a lot, but please do what you need to do to keep them safe.
The Friends will provide trash bags and hand sanitizer and a small first-aid kit.
Bring your own gloves to protect your hands, and sturdy shoes or boots. There’s a lot of broken glass in the woods and we’ll clean up as much as we can. A hand trowel or large screwdriver is useful for digging junk out of the dirt. A shovel can be useful for moving large objects. A bucket is handy for collecting broken glass and small trash.
Use your own judgement regarding COVID precautions. This is an outdoor activity with everyone at a fair distance apart.
THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP!
