ECWA
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association
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17-Acre Wood

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17-Acre Wood Preserve

Watts Hospital-Hillandale Neighborhood
The Association's first preserve, 17-Acre Wood actually covers 20 acres of floodplain forest. The trail and preserve serve as refuge for native plants rescued from development sites elsewhere in the watershed.
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Want to spend more time in nature? Join one of our hikes or other outdoor activities.
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​Running between Indian Trail and Westover Parks, 17-Acre Wood is a celebration of native plant diversity and resident wildlife, including barred owls, beavers, muskrats, and box turtles. This preserve, ECWA’s oldest, is nestled within the Watts-Hillandale neighborhood. Visitors enjoy the nature trails that wind through the preserve as well as the paved West Ellerbe Creek Trail extending through the preserve’s center.

The Story of 17-Acre Wood
ECWA began with a donation of the first six acres of 17-Acre Wood. At that time, the banks of the creek were eroded and the land was difficult to access, choked by invasive plants. Today, after a major creek restoration project with the City of Durham and through the hard work of our stewardship volunteers, the 17-Acre Wood now hosts native plants and wetland gardens. Our dedication to this preserve is demonstrated every day by our Preserve Stewards, who are looking forward to installing a natural play area.

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17-Acre Wood serves as refuge for native plants rescued from development sites elsewhere in the watershed. In addition to resident wildlife like barred owls, beavers, muskrats and box turtles, the preserve provides food and resting place for migrating birds and other wildlife moving up and down the creek. 17-Acre Wood has a reputation among birders as migratory season “hotspot”. Periodic sightings of wild turkey, great blue heron, deer and fox show that even an urban nature preserve can play an important role in a larger web of life.

READ MORE ABOUT PRESERVE PLANTS & ANIMALS »
Plan Your Visit
​Opening Hours: Dawn to dusk year-round.

Directions & Parking:
17-Acre Wood is located at the northern border of the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood, and can be accessed from two sides. 

From Westover Park: Parking is available beside Westover Park, at the end of Maryland Avenue (1900 Maryland Avenue, Durham NC 27705). After parking, you’ll find the paved West Ellerbe Creek Trail at the end of Maryland Avenue. Take a left to enter 17-Acre Wood and notice the creek on your right. Trailhead signs on the left side of path will guide you to the more wild parts of the preserve. 
 
From Indian Trail Park: Park on Albany Street, near the corner of Albany and Perennial Drive (which looks more like a driveway than a street). On this side of the preserve, you’ll find an ECWA kiosk and a small native plant garden with plant ID tags.

Using the Durham Public Bus: The closest stop is #5677 on Route 1 at the corner of Broad Street and Guess Road. Walk north on Guess Road, and you will see Westover Park and the entrance to the preserve on your left. 
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Want to know the lie of the land? Download trail maps to use on-the-go.
ACCESS MAPS

ECWA exists because people believe that it's important to cherish the treasures in our own back yard. 

Help us conserve this wonderful natural resource, and remind the people of Durham that nature is important, even in the heart of a city.​

DONATE

More Nature Preserves

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Glennstone

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Pearl Mill

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The Rocks

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ECWA​
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association

Mail:  PO Box 2679
Durham, NC 27715
Office: 904 Broad St 
Durham, NC 27705
919.698.9729
info@ellerbecreek.org
​
​OUR WATERSHED

What Is a Watershed?
History of the Watershed
Plants & Animals
Stories from the Watershed
Ellerbe & Me




​OUR PRESERVES

Overview
Glennstone
Beaver Marsh
Pearl Mill
The Rocks
17-Acre Wood
Non-Public Preserves
​
​OUR WORK

Overview
Protect
Restore

Engage
Advocate


​
​ABOUT US

Our People

Our Supporters
History of ECWA
Guiding Documents
​
​GET INVOLVED

Donate
Volunteer
Visit a Preserve
Creek Smart
Attend an Event
Copyright © 2019 ECWA   |   Terms   |   Privacy
  • Our Watershed
    • What is a Watershed?
    • History of the Ellerbe Creek Watershed
    • Plants & Animals
    • Stories from the Watershed >
      • Blog
      • Ellerbe & Me
  • Our Preserves
    • Overview
    • 17-Acre Wood
    • The Rocks
    • Pearl Mill
    • Glennstone
    • Beaver Marsh
  • Our Work
    • Overview
    • Protect
    • Restore
    • Engage
    • Advocate
    • Creek Smart​® >
      • About Creek Smart​®
      • Walking Tours
      • Downspout Disconnection
      • Cisterns
      • Rain Gardens >
        • Siting
        • Designing
        • Installing
      • Support Creek Smart​®
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Our Supporters
    • History of ECWA
    • Guiding Documents
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Volunteer
    • Attend An Event
    • Stewardship
    • Visit a Preserve
    • Creek Watchers
    • Make Your Property Creek Smart
  • Donate