William K. Love Preserve was donated to the Westchester Land Trust in 2000 by William Love.

The preserve is entirely wooded with wetlands and mixed deciduous trees that protect the wetlands and stream that flow to the Stamford Water Company’s Siscowit Reservoir one mile to the southwest in Pound Ridge.

Accessible from West Road, there is a short, easy trial that runs straight back from the road, past the first wetland system to the central open wetland system. Among a hardwood forest and wetlands, there are striking rock outcroppings and a hardwood forest.

The property is dominated by red maples with a mix of elm, black birch, and beech. The understory has substantial spice bush and mountain laurel, both relatively undesirable fodder for deer. The central part of the wetland is primarily rocky with skunk cabbage blanketing areas not covered by rocks. There is fairly deep ponding in the central area through early summer. The wetlands drain, off site, under West Road through a bed rock constricted channel and are under the road where the wetlands continue north and northwest of the site.

Directions

William K. Love Preserve is located on West Road off of Route 123 in South Salem. Park along the roadway.