Copicut: The Deep Woods

Copicut Trail aims to capture attention and inspire imagination through a series of Curious Finds that introduce visitors to the inhabitants of Copicut Woods. Guided by an adventure map, visitors find themselves inside a game of Seek & Find that takes place along the entire ¼ mile ADA-accessible out-and-back trail.

Can children play with nature? Can the landscape be a game? Abandoning the idea of a destination, we imagined the entire trail as a playground. Beyond the gate a treasure map playfully illustrates a woodland world of diverse inhabitants. Rich with natural wonders, each Curious Find theatrically enlarges the invisible to call attention to the magic of the forest. Once you pass the threshold you are free to hoard like chipmunk, or make a nest in a tree like a woodpecker.

Copicut Trail asks you to actively seek, playfully pause, and enjoy the act of exploring. Helping children to cultivate awareness is an act of conservation. Through animating a landscape to attract attention, the project hopes to inspire a new generation of hikers to love the woods.

Location: Fall River, MA 
Project Type: Public Trail
Client: The Trustees of Reservations
Project Design: lu — la
Site Photos:  Jane Messinger

Illustration: Agathe Bray-Bourret