Beyond the bridge, you will pass a string of relatively new homes on the right. Fortunately, they do little to detract from the scenic value of the river. Standing just a few feet above the river on a boulder, the figure of a young woman in prayerful pose watches over the water. Just beyond is the elaborate, double-arched wooden footbridge known locally as Sargent's Bridge. Myths surround this area, too.
Some townspeople say the statue commemorates a child who drowned near here.
According to a South Natick historian, however, both the statue and the bridge were erected by Daniel Sargent, who owned a huge estate on the left side of the river and a farm on the right side. Wanting to preserve the beauty of the shoreline, he planted rhododendrons and other flowering trees, then added the statue as a finishing touch. Paddle to the right side of the dam to your take-out at the small picnic area. Back to Concord River Return to Top Canoeing Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut is available from the Adventurous Traveler Bookstore. Click here to visit Countryman Press Article copyright Countryman Press .