The Pascommuck Conservation Trust
Preserving our past. Protecting our future.
Approximately 70 people attended the annual meeting to hear about the Trust’s activities for 2016 and future plans for this year. After a break with refreshments the crowd settled in to listen to the presentation by Dr. Richard Little, Geology Professor Emeritus, Greenfield Community College about the geology around Mt. Tom and the Pioneer Valley area. Dr. Little kept the audience very engaged throughout the presentation by his upbeat and sometimes humorous quips.
It was a grey foggy day as members of the Pascommuck Trust, dignitaries and the public gathered at Mutter’s Field to officially mark the opening of Mutter’s Field Accessible Trail. John Bator, president of the Trust, spoke first followed by Marty Klein, major organizer of the trail construction. Char Gentes, president and CEO of Riverside Industries, also spoke and announced that the non-profit, which serves the developmentally disabled, will contribute $500 annually for the next five years for trail maintenance. “Our people are already using this trail, and will use it a lot in the future,” she stated. Mayor of Easthampton, Karen L. Cadieux, Mayor, also spoke. The ceremony was followed by official ribbon cutting by the mayor surrounded by Alice Mutter and Family, Trust President John Bator, and Marty Klein.
The Stavros center for Independent Living has announced that PCT has won the 2016 Paul Winske access award for, “going the extra mile in offering access to persons with disabilities. Marty Klein, the major force behind the Mutter’s Field accessible trail project, has been been invited to an awards ceremony to take place this Thursday, October 20th at the Log Cabin. For more information about the award click here.
July 25, 2016 –
Construction continues on the Mutter Field accessible trail. The parking lot off of East St., is almost finished as well as the ramp, with railings, going from the parking lot to the beginning of the trail. A kiosk to display information has also been erected near the entrance of the ramp. A couple of rock enclosures have been installed along the trail itself to house butterfly gardens. Landscape plantings as well as grass seed have been planted a near the ramp and between the abutting property.
People have already been enjoying the trail, however it has been observed that there are problems with dog messes being left on the trail itself.
A dedication ceremony is set to take place sometime in early fall.
PCT’s latest project was featured in the March 9th edition of the Daily Hampshire Gazette. There was an interview with Marty Klein, board member and major force behind the project. Interviews with several other community leaders also touts the project’s benefits for those with physical difficulties.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of April and a dedication ceremony is planned in May.
