James Ramsay Hunt and Mary Welsh Parker Memorial Sanctuary

Without a doubt, the crown jewel sanctuary in Bedford Audubon’s sanctuary system, this sanctuary boasts a well-established marked trail system through a variety of habitats. An informative trail guide was recently developed as was a bird checklist. Mammal, butterfly, moth and plant checklists are currently being developed. This property is accessed from North Salem Road in the Town of Bedford, or from Todd Road in the Goldens Bridge section of the Town of Lewisboro. A trail map is available at the sign-in kiosk on North Salem Road.

Welcome
Welcome to the James Ramsay Hunt Sanctuary! Hunt Sanctuary is one of three properties that is owned and operated by the Bedford Audubon Society. At 318 acres, 120 acres are in the Town of Lewisboro and 198 acres are in the Town of Bedford. The original gift of land was made to the National Audubon Society by neighbor and member James R. Hunt of Bedford in memory of his late son of the same name. There were several subsequent smaller donations of land made by other members of the Hunt family, creating what we know as the current Hunt Sanctuary. Mary Welsh Parker of Todd Road, Katonah (Lewisboro), made a generous gift of her 120-acre property and farmstead to Bedford Audubon Society in 2001.

The Sanctuary is open dawn to dusk, seven days a week. Hiking, nature study and the “passive" enjoyment of nature are permitted. Collecting of anything, smoking and pets (including horses and dogs) are not permitted. Please stay on the trails and proceed quietly through the sanctuary. Please sign in at the Visitor’s Logbook in the Kiosk at the trailhead on North Salem Road. Upon your departure, please leave any notes you may wish to forward to the Society regarding your visit and observations.

“A Community’s Sanctuary”
John F. Kennedy once said, “After the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.”

Without unique, community-minded , families like the Hunts, the Parkers and the Baurs, this marvelous place would not exist for all to enjoy. The James Ramsay Hunt Sanctuary is a living monument to all of those who so selflessly gave to our community in perpetuity. May they not be forgotten.