Rolling Ridge Trail Dedication

Program Details

Join us at 10 am on Saturday, October 24th as we officially dedicate the Rolling Ridge trail.

The Rolling Ridge Trail has been a joint project between the town of North Andover and Rolling Ridge since 2011 when funds from the Community Preservation Act opened a public easement and protected the grounds from development. COVID delayed the project including a rerouting of the trail, but with the new trailhead and kiosk recently installed, we celebrate the official opening as we welcome the public to explore the beautiful out and back trail that begins off of Great Pond Road, follows the shoreline of Lake Cochichewick, and leads to two outdoor labyrinths.

The dedication begins at 10 am at the new kiosk (next to the golf course at the North Andover Country Club)

Because of limited parking at the trailhead, guests are invited to arrive by 9:45 am at the Rolling Ridge parking lot and walk to the kiosk for the 10:00 am ceremony. Guests are invited to come earlier, park in the Rolling Ridge parking lot, join the festivities at the kiosk, and then walk the full trail.

At the end of the Rolling Ridge Trail, an optional guided labyrinth walk (around 11 am) will be provided by certified labyrinth facilitator and Rolling Ridge Board Member, Judy Smith, to introduce people to the healing refreshment a walk on a labyrinth offers.

Please register to let us know you are coming. Consider making a donation to Rolling Ridge to support our ongoing commitment to serve the community and maintain public spaces that welcome all.

About the Leaders

Rolling Ridge Staff

The staff at Rolling Ridge embody the spirit of hospitality, presence, and care. Each member brings a unique blend of heart, skill, and intention to create a space where guests can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what truly matters. Guided by the rhythms of contemplative spirituality, the team tends both the land and the community with gentleness and grace. Whether welcoming retreat groups, preparing nourishing meals, or maintaining the sacred grounds, the staff work together to ensure Rolling Ridge remains a safe, hidden haven—a place of connection, renewal, and peace.

Judy Hakanson Smith

Judy Smith is a rostered Minister of Word & Service (Deacon) in the ELCA and a trained labyrinth facilitator through Veriditas, an educational labyrinth organization. Although retired, Judy is still busy leading camp retreats (she is a retired Camp Director and Program Director) and labyrinth walks as well as studying Contemplative Spiritual Formation at Columbia Theological Seminary. Judy loves to travel and recently returned from Sweden where she participated in an amazing labyrinth and Soul Collage retreat on the island of Gotland.

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Lawrence Jay

As Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Jay guides the vision and direction of Rolling Ridge. In addition to working with staff to ensure an outstanding guest experience, he collaborates with retreat leaders to deliver exceptional programming and is available to speak about the ongoing ministry and historic mission of Rolling Ridge as a place of rest, retreat, and transformation. A trained spiritual director and ordained American Baptist pastor, Larry (as he is known by friends) is a graduate of UCLA, Golden Gate Seminary, Franciscan School of Theology, American Baptist Seminary of the West, and the Gateways to God Missional Spiritual Direction Program. He is also Adjunct Faculty at Merrimack College in the Masters of Spirituality and Spiritual Direction programs and was interviewed about his ministry on Dan Lee's podcast. Eco-spirituality is his passion (and was his doctoral dissertation), encouraging everyone to live into the fullness of our connection with our True Self, nature, God, and all people.