As the summer weather fades to fall, people can enjoy nature at numerous no-cost parks and ponds in the Lakeville and Middleboro area.

Whether it’s a meal-time pull off or an after-work hiking trail, the Nemasket Week Today explored a handful of park areas that are free to access and are within a short driving distance from town.

Lakeville

Tamarack Park in Lakeville, located at 368 Bedford St., is a short drive from the Lakeville Fire Department and business park area. Although the few trail systems at the park are in need of repair, a large parking lot and a number of picnic tables overlook Assawompset Pond.

Betty’s Neck, located at 59 Long Point Rd., has an extensive trail system that follows large, open fields and cranberry bogs. The open space allows sunsets to illuminate the rolling meadows and thick tree-lines on the property. The area can be entered by Bog Access Road, and offers ample parking.

Middleboro resident Marianne Fenton said she first learned of Betty’s Neck from a neighbor. She’s lived in the area for 28 years and only found the “tranquil” trails recently, she said.

“I enjoy it because it’s so quiet and peaceful. I love coming here after work with our dog,” Fenton said. She added although the access road could use some pot-hole repair, it’s great to have a no-cost place to hike and enjoy nature.

Between the Lakes, located near the intersection of Bog Access and Long Point Roads, is a long-time favorite area for Middleboro resident Josh Cornell, who has been coming to the narrow road that splits the Pocksha and Great Quittacas Ponds since he was a kid growing up in Middleboro. He said he’s glad fishing has been allowed over recent years since it’s a great spot to easily sink a line.

“It’s a great fishing spot. The biggest bass I’ve caught was about eight pounds,” Cornell said. “Either before work, or after work — it’s just a great place. I can get my coffee, go fishing and then off to work.”

Places to fish are easily accessed off of Long Point Road, and people can drive across to the East side of the narrow strip of road to find a number of parking spots that look directly across the ponds. To access the area, drive past Bog Access Road and continue on Long Point Road.

Middleboro

Pratt Farm in Middleboro, located at 67 E. Main St., is a short drive from the downtown area. The park offers benches and picnic tables near the parking lot, and a large trail system that has historical markers along the path. The Pratt Farm dates back to the 1700s, and parts of its history — along with native plant species — are displayed on informational plaques throughout the trails.

Nell Kelley and Julia Abreha, residents of Cape Cod and Boston, use the farm as a half-way point between where they live to meet and socialize. The longtime friends said they usually go to restaurants, but sometimes their “catch-ups" can last hours.

“It’s good for your brain and body,” Kelley said of being surrounded by nature at the park.

“Also, every time we hang-out is at a diner in the early morning, and it usually takes us hours to catch up. Every time, the waitress will come by and give us a look like ‘time to go’, so we found out this was nearby,” Abreha said. “Nobody is rushing us to get out of here.”

Picone Farm, located on the left side of the road shortly after 415 Plymouth St., has hiking trails that weave through the surrounding woods and community garden space at the farm. People can see what is growing in the gardens and hike a large trail system that connects to the neighboring Peter Oliver conservation area.

Oliver Mill Park, located at 8 Nemasket St., offers walking paths through the historic fish-ladder site that was built in the 1700s. The sound of running water can be heard just about anywhere one walks, since creeks snake their way through canals and small waterfalls next to the paths. The park has a large parking lot, and easy access to the historic fish-ladders and trail system.

Signage for park rules that include closing times, dog-walking and more can be found at kiosks near the parking areas at each of the locations.

Find more information on local nearby trail systems through AllTrails, a user-created trail mapping website that can be accessed with a free account.