Copyright: North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
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Description
- Early in the twentieth century, the grandfather of James Boyd, a well-known North Carolina author, purchased a sizable tract of land east of Southern Pines to save the longleaf pines from logging. He named the estate Weymouth because of the longleaf pines that reminded him of Weymouth, England. In 1963, James Boyd's widow, Katharine, donated 403 acres of land to the state to create the first natural area in North Carolina. Additional land has been acquired, including a satellite area of 165 acres known as the Boyd Round Timber Tract, which was added in 1977. The tract contains a sizable stand of old-growth longleaf pines from 250 to 400 years old. Park Hours: November-March 9 am -6 pm; April to October 9 am - 7 pm; Office hours: 9 am -6 pm Monday through Friday. The park is closed Christmas Day.
Recreation - There are no overnight accommodations nor picnicking; however, there are 6 hiking trails and 1 multi-use trail. A visitor center houses a natural history museum that currently features the natural and cultural history of the Sandhills region. The museum is slated to undergo a major renovation and will feature more interactive exhibits and displays that depict fire ecology, plant and animal adaptations and cultural history. The museum is open 9:00 am to 6:00 p.m. every day. Nature programs are offered every Sunday at 3:00 p.m. April through November. Staff present programs to interested groups onsite or offsite upon request. Please call at least two weeks in advance to schedule a program. Educational topics range from fire ecology, Sandhills plants and animals, geology, astronomy and cultural history. These talks are presented in the form of slide shows, hikes, demonstrations and hands-on activities. Contact the park office for more information. Environmental Educational Learning Experience (EELE)--Rooted in Time. Grades: 5, 6 and 7. Introduces students to the life history of the longleaf pine. Major topics covered include the following: plant adaptations, controlled burning and other resource management techniques, methods of preserving natural areas and life history of the longleaf pine. There are designated parking spaces for persons with disabilities. The visitor center, museum and auditorium are accessible. Climate - North Carolina has a temperate climate with mild winters and long fall and spring months. Summers can be hot and humid, especially in the piedmont and coastal plain region, which don't get relief from coastal breezes or higher elevations. The mountains tend to be substantially cooler and receive some winter snow. In the Piedmont Region, winter daytime temperatures normally range from the upper 30's to the upper 40s. Summer daytime temperatures range from the high 70's to the low 90's. The state has a fairly wet climate with an average precipitation for this area averaging 44-52 inches (112-132 centimeters). Location -
Weymouth Woods is located in Moore County, one mile southeast of Southern Pines. Look for signs on US 1 and NC 211. Take Saunders Boulevard to Fort Bragg Road. Turn left and you will see signs for the Nature Preserve. (Weymouth Woods is at the tip of a small metropolis, Southern Pines, which is located next to Fort Bragg Military Reservation.)
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