The President’s reports of 2018 activities and projects accomplished as well as goals for 2019 are now available for review under “About Us” and can be accessed here.
Butterfly gardens planted at Mutter’s Field
John Bator , Trust President, and Marty Klein, Board Member have planted the butterfly gardens with about 3 dozen plants purchased last year. Thankfully, the rain has kept the planting beds moist. However we are asking that anyone taking a walk along the trail during a dry, hot spell bring a jug of water to keep the soil moist and the plants growing.
Mutter’s Field Ribbon Cutting
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.
Angel Memorial – addition of a granite bench
On Sunday November 29th a small red granite bench was installed at the Angel Memorial located at John Bator park. A dedication ceremony was held afterward.
Hundreds of local parents have mourned the losses of their children at the memorial in John Bator Park located on Williston Avenue. The monument is a replica of The Christmas Box Angel Memorial Monument in Salt Lake City, Utah, by sculptor Ortho Fairbanks. That statue was commissioned by Richard Paul Evans, author of the 1993 novel “The Christmas Box.” In the book, a woman mourns the death of her daughter at the base of a childlike angel statue.
Future plans for the park include replacement of the gazebo which has suffered some vandalism in recent years.
Mutter’s Field Accessible Trail
October 25, 2016
“A Place in Nature for Everyone”
In 2012, PCT acquired a 6 acre parcel of land, located between E. Green and East Streets, consisting of a large meadow, surrounding woodlands and two small brooks, adjacent to its most visited property, the Brickyard Brook Conservation Area (11 acres). After considerable deliberation, the Board decided that, given the mostly flat terrain here and other factors, the property would be an ideal location for an accessible trail, designed for visitors of all abilities to use and enjoy.
The Mutter’s Field Accessible Trail (MFAT) consists of an 1800-foot loop skirting a 2-acre meadow, with a connection to our non-accessible, Brickyard Brook trail. The trail offers a quality, passive outdoor recreation opportunity for people of all abilities, in a tranquil setting with striking views of Mt. Tom. Along the trail, we’ve installed seven, beautiful accessible benches and picnic tables, built by Easthampton carpenter and PCT supporter, Kevin Mulligan.
Some of the features you will find here include:
- An accessible picnic area, adjacent to the trail
- Plantings of native grasses, flowering plants and shrubs
- Two field stone raised bed butterfly gardens, planted with native flowering plants (donated by Dr. Leslie Harrington)
- An entrance and parking area at East St. with 2 designated handicapped spaces
- An improved entrance at the end of E. Green St.
- An inclement weather shelter with two accessible benches
In the fall of 2016, we installed five colorful, interpretive signs, created to educate visitors about some of the natural features found at the trail. In addition, PCT began the process of controlling/eradicating non-native plants that have invaded much of the property. Over the next several years, we hope to restore it to a place where native plant species can flourish.
It is expensive to maintain a property like Mutter’s Field. PCT, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, has limited resources to keep this property looking beautiful. Therefore, we hope you will support us by donating to our MFAT maintenance endowment fund. We are also seeking volunteers to help out in a variety of ways. Please contact us if you’d like to contribute your time and skills to this most worthy cause.
Thank you to all who have helped make this dream a reality for all of us to enjoy!
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