The Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary did not exist until 1972. Before then Williams, who was an avid duck hunter, took sole responsibility for maintaining the pre-colonial era dams, one of which was only about 30 yards from the back corner of the property. His children canoed the penstock pond, out behind the house, and often camped out on Indian Island, now a central waystation on the main Broadmoor boardwalk. Occasionally they would canoe all the way to the Charles River, about half a mile down Indian Creek with two short carries.