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River Trails, Bikeways,
and Other Amenities Having ignored the Housatonic River as a source of serenity and recreation for decades, Berkshire residents are eager to create natural parks and river walks that will take advantage of this long-neglected resource. In the eyes of many, it is an ideal way to restore an affinity and affection to the Housatonic. "If we have more eyes on the river, people will take care of it," said Lenox Town Manager Joseph Kellogg, who was born and raised in Great Barrington. "For me, I’ll never swim in the river no matter what anybody ever tells me because when I grew up the river was used as a sewer and I will always think of it that way." However, the success of the River Walk in Great Barrington is changing people’s perception of the river, he said. "I would love to see a river walk extended along the length of the river. It would provide a great public education," Kellogg said. The construction of the River Walk in Great Barrington was held up as a model river restoration project throughout the entire public hearing process. By enlisting widespread community support and restoring one of the most blighted sections of the river in the center of downtown Great Barrington, the River Walk inspired a new outlook on what the river is and can be, both from Great Barrington residents and from river advocates up and down the Housatonic. Participation by citizen volunteers in the design and construction of the trail was cited as providing a major educational benefit for the river. Great Barrington residents placed a high priority on the completion and extension of the project. Even the most vociferous local critics of increased accessibility said they wanted to see the River Walk extend through the entire center of Great Barrington. But that support and the desire to replicate river walks in other communities did not translate into a blanket endorsement of extensive river trails. "Foot trails along the river for short distances are fine, but not along the whole river," wrote botanist Pamela Weatherbee. "Same goes for bicycle trails, which need too much paving and may not be totally compatible with the quiet use of the river. Some areas that are more built up would be good for bike trails. Certain areas such as pristine floodplain forest, which are quite rare in the state, should be left trail-less and undisturbed." "Don’t create new walkways to the detriment of wildlife," wrote Jane Winn of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. "They have little enough space left as is and the river is an important corridor for wide-ranging species." "I do worry that a trail along the length of the river, even if it starts out small and simple, may grow into something that is not desirable, but detrimental to the wildlife of the river," said Frank Lowenstein, Berkshire program director for The Nature Conservancy. "We have amazing wildlife in the river. There are spotted sandpipers, mink, otters, eagles, all sorts of things that people don’t even know about. I’d hate to see that compromised or endangered in any way." Different parts of the river lend themselves to different uses, said Naomi Gordon, secretary of the Lee Land Trust. While some areas should be kept wild, others could be used for development, paths, access points, and other uses. "I wouldn’t want to see access all the way down the river," she said. Participants settled on what HRR coordinator Rachel Fletcher called a "beaded necklace" approach to river trails. Rather than recommend an extended trail throughout the county, which would be damaging to wildlife, expensive and extremely difficult to accomplish, communities should select designated areas for small river parks and limited trails that would create only a discrete disruption of the wildlife. A small trail placed in the right location goes a long way toward creating a meaningful contact with the river and its wildlife, but in a limited and sensitive way. Residents said that in selecting sites for river trails and parks, preference should be given to areas that have already been developed and/or suffer from excessive trash. Remediated sections of the river should also be eyed as potential sites for river trails. "Some parts of the river may be more suitable for a bike trail and other parts almost demand that you don’t do anything with them," HRI board member Benno Friedman of Sheffield said. "The river is already extremely diverse. There should be a way to respect that—to preserve the river and wonderful species that live in the river. No one group should attempt to dominate the river or the restoration." Fletcher emphasized that river walks need to be designed in environmentally friendly ways. "Often, they represent the public’s first contact with the river," she said. "They need to be showcases for proper river stewardship. They need to direct people about how to interact properly with the river." As Stockbridge Conservation Commission Chairman Shep Evans said, "Asphalted trails are not good for the river." Fletcher encouraged planners to coordinate trails and amenities under a unified system through a universal signage system, universal standards for usage etiquette, and universal performance standards for design, materials, and construction that are user-friendly, safe, and low-impact, and that consider the natural features and physical conditions of individual sites. As was the case with the discussions pertaining to canoe access sites, specific concerns and suggestions were made about the design, implementation and development of trail access sites. These included:
Members of the AmeriCorps Berkshire Conservation Team stressed the need to include kids in construction projects as volunteers as a way to instill a sense of conservation of the river. In some towns, however, concerns were raised that there is not yet a community consciousness about restoring the river and thus the constituency to see a project through may be limited. "We really don’t have a framework for making decisions," state Representative Shaun Kelly of Dalton said. "Our biggest enemy will be apathy. I don’t think we should push an artificial project if it has to be forced on people." But Fletcher said that at the outset of the River Walk project in Great Barrington there did not appear to be an interest in the Housatonic River. Starting out small, bringing people directly to the river, finding ways to include as many people as possible, and then expanding outward was the best strategy to generate interest and activity, she said. She added that she and others could provide technical and planning advice to community-based efforts to design and build river walks and small river parks. Kelly responded he would start discussing with residents the idea of spearheading a river effort. "We’re seeing the dawning of a new Housatonic River," he said. Discussions about specific river walk trails in each community and the possible construction of a river-long bicycle trail follow. Three ideas for possible trails and parks in Dalton emerged from the public hearing process. The most ambitious of these was the restoration of Center Pond as a recreational resource. Former Dalton Selectman Vivian Mason said discussions have been held for years on Center Pond. At one point Crane & Company offered to give it to the town, she said, but the project was rejected because of the cost of maintaining the dam and removing silt that has almost entirely filled the pond. Shaun Kelly said he had once looked into the costs of dredging the pond. When a $1 million price tag was placed on it, however, the project was dropped. "The river up here isn’t very recreational, but if the pond was restored for fishing and boating, it would be a great asset for the town." Mason said the first step would be to do a cost assessment. "People are very, very interested in doing something with Center Pond," she said. "We’ve been talking about it for twenty years, but we always get stopped when we start getting into who owns it, gaining access to it, and the cost of the cleanup." One of the advantages of a project at Center Pond, residents said, is that because Dalton is located upstream from the GE site, the water is not contaminated with PCBs. Similarly, river walks in Dalton may be able to offer amenities that would allow people to have direct contact with the water. Two locations were suggested for river trails. Crane & Company Vice President James D. Manning said the company is planning to construct environmentally sensitive walkways and other recreational resources along the river near some of the company’s existing mills. Mason suggested that a trail be constructed from the Stone Mill in Dalton to the Lyman Road bridge. She said it would be an attractive stretch of river and relatively easy to accomplish. Finally, Dennis Regan suggested that a series of small trails be designed off of roads to allow residents to walk out to the river and enjoy it. Public discussions about river trails and parks in Pittsfield took place prior to the release of detailed information about plans for the $6 million in NRD restoration projects being undertaken by GE in Pittsfield. As a consequence, much of the dialogue was only partially informed. However, several themes emerged. The people of Pittsfield would like to be able to use the Housatonic River as a recreational resource. During three public hearings in Pittsfield, residents said they would like to see the river used for parks and river walks. The city’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan and the Comprehensive Development Plan both specifically state that the development of hiking and biking paths along the river is a priority. The Pittsfield Comprehensive Development Plan states: "While the development of these trails would require use easements, the City’s existing trunk sewer easements along the river could potentially be converted to use easements. The primary area for development of an urban trail corridor along the Housatonic River would be from Clapp Park south to the Pittsfield-Lenox town line." Some of the specific ideas and proposals that were discussed included:
"I’d like to see this side of the river become like the other side of the river [with the proposed improvements]," Charles Cianfarini of Pittsfield said. "I don’t want to have people walk up to the river and look at this side and see the back of these businesses [the way they are now]. It should be green. I’d like to see most of this side of the river green as far down to Lyman Street as possible. We could make this into a beautiful place." Lakewood resident Tom Wells said he and his family have to drive to city parks because there are none nearby. "It would be great to have a family-oriented place with activities for kids," he said. Several Lakewood residents said they would like to spur their own community-based, grassroots river restoration project, perhaps at Goodrich Pond. Fletcher said she and others involved in past river restoration projects could provide assistance.
Working with city
and state officials, HRR has started to facilitate the design and development of a
Lakewood River Walk project.
The acquisition of several riverfront parcels over the last thirty years has placed Lenox in an almost ideal position to develop an extraordinary network of trails. With its close proximity to October Mountain State Forest and the construction of a pedestrian bridge in 1996, residents and planners see a tremendous opportunity to link the river to the surrounding wildlife and the nearby Lenox Dale village. Attorney Sarah H. Bell of Lenox noted that in the 1960s a group of residents led by Joan Flood and George Darey initiated a spate of land acquisitions along the river and that there is now an uninterrupted corridor of protected land from Woods Pond northward on both sides of the Housatonic. "Lenox needs to think rather imaginatively about how to make this a spectacular place," said Tom Stokes, who added that the river in Lenox has suffered disproportionately from PCB contamination compared to other communities, with the exception of Pittsfield. "The whole area has tremendous potential." Work is already underway with the development of a joint master plan by the towns of Lenox and Lee, said Lenox Planning Board Chairman Robert T. Akroyd. The Housatonic River will play a significant role in the plan. Specifically, he said planners are exploring recreational activities such as pedestrian trails, bike paths, and interpretive stations. In the long term, he added, the existing sand and gravel mining operation on the Lee side of Lenox Dale could be a wonderful river park when the facility closes. Akroyd and others said a new trail network could be developed linking Lenox Dale with Woods Pond and October Mountain on the east side of the river. On the west side, he said, a trail could be made from the John Decker boat launch to the Woods Pond Dam. The presence of an abandoned trolley line in the river’s floodplain and a series of trails off of Roaring Brook Road would provide potential routes and access points to the river. "We have to be careful that the nooks and crannies of wildlife are not disrupted and remain natural," Bell cautioned, "but you could really do something special." René Laubach echoed Bell’s view, adding that Post Farm should be considered as a major feature in the trail. "It’s a beautiful property with great views," he said. Lenox Town Manager Joe Kellogg said the PCB cleanup could offer an opportunity in that a road will have to be built to get access to the river, and that could eventually serve as a trail when it is abandoned. He added that as reconstruction work is done at Crystal Street, "It may be an opportunity to do a trail or gain access to the river." Finally, the acquisition of the DeVos Farm would provide an extremely desirable access point to the trail network. As a former Chicago resident, Jan Chague said she could attest to the value of a river park because of the tremendous success of Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan. While clearly a river park-trail network in Lenox would be different, she said, "It could serve as a great resource and attraction." A small river park has been built as part of Lee’s recent downtown revitalization. Plans are underway to begin designing and constructing a downtown river walk. Like Lenox's, Lee’s effort to develop a master plan will seek an enhanced role for the Housatonic River, said HRI Director Tim Gray. A downtown river walk would be tightly linked to the town’s commercial appeal, residents said. This is particularly appropriate given the extremely important role the river has historically played in providing power and water for Lee’s industrial mills, they said. Plus, the river is surprisingly wild in this section. "It is a hidden jewel" in the center of Lee, said Ruth Dinerman, conservation volunteer coordinator for the Appalachian Mountain Club. She suggested that interpretive signs on its history and natural resource be installed, as well as benches. She also suggested that an extended river walk to East Lee would raise appreciation of the river, provide opportunities for river festivals, open up new recreational opportunities, and offer additional economic benefits. The Stockbridge Master Plan gives a very high priority to developing a trail along the river to serve as a locus for other trails. It states: "Perhaps the greatest need is a way to link various areas of the town, which could occur through the creation of a town-wide pedestrian/bicycle path system. The Housatonic River and its tributaries provide a logical backbone and starting point for such a system." Preliminary plans are underway to design a central trail system to link different parts of town. The possibility of using an old trolley right-of-way in Lee and Stockbridge is being explored. Trails would have the additional benefit of providing village residents with an alternative means of getting around town during the summer months when traffic causes severe congestion. For the last twelve years residents have been building the Great Barrington River Walk off the town’s Main Street. Many residents said they would like to see the partially completed project completed. "It’s important to finish it," the Rev. Charles Van Ausdall said. "It means a lot to the town in so many ways." The success of the trail led to a $450,000 Massachusetts transportation enhancement award for the construction of a two-mile multipurpose trail extending the southern end of the trail to the Great Barrington Senior Center. This grant requires a small financial match and will also need an endowment for its long-term maintenance. Although the Great Barrington public hearing provoked some of the sharpest debate over the prospect of the over-development of the river, residents were unanimous in their enthusiasm for the trail and its extension. A river corridor plan has been completed, proposing to extend the trail northward and to build foot trails linking to trails in nearby state parks. The 1998 Great Barrington Master Plan specifically cites the appropriate development and restoration of the river corridor as a community goal. In addition to the environmental and educational benefits of the River Walk, residents said the project has helped the local economy. The extension of the pathway would be an additional enhancement. "If I was promoting real estate in the area, walking trails along the river would be at the top of my list," said Andy Congdon, an insurance agent at Wheeler & Taylor in Great Barrington. Residents said they would like to see the development of a trail corridor along Stockbridge Road, with a pedestrian Route 7 overpass to connect the river to the proposed Southern Berkshire Community Center. They also endorsed a proposed new Housatonic River Walk trail entrance to include handicap access to an overlook, a Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce kiosk, and a connection to the Housatonic River Museum, all of which will become the trail’s North Gateway to Main Street. Broad support was expressed both in Great Barrington and other communities for the proposed development of the Housatonic River Museum. Residents who were unaware of the proposal often suggested that a river museum be developed. Several people specifically said they supported the idea of the museum in Great Barrington. In addition to extending the trail in Great Barrington, Eileen Mooney and other Housatonic residents suggested constructing a trail in the village of Housatonic. The presence of industrial mills and the fast-moving water there make for a dramatic setting, they said. Also, Terry Koldys, director of the Great Barrington Senior Center, said he would like to see a small park and trail constructed by the senior center. It could be a quiet, secluded spot in natural surroundings. In order to be practical the riverbank would have to be cleaned up and there would need to be a wide flat path, sturdy picnic tables, and shading provided. In Sheffield, residents said they did not want to see an extended trail along the river, seeing it as being potentially disruptive to the ambiance of the river. However, there was widespread support for a proposal from Sheffield Selectmen Chairman Janet Stanton to develop a small river park at the site of the Old Covered Bridge. "It would be nice to have a small park there with access to the river for canoes and maybe some restrooms," Stanton said, adding that the inside of the covered bridge could be used as an information center/river museum. "This would help contribute both to residents and visitors. Tourism is an area we are trying to develop." "I like the idea of having a focus at the Old Covered Bridge, but only if it is balanced by keeping the rest of the river wild," said Nancy Smith of the Sheffield Land Trust and the Sweet Water Trust. Sheffield Land Trust President Deborah Reich wrote that river walks could be designed to connect to the nearby Appalachian Trail. State legislation passed in 1996 encouraged the development of an extended bicycle trail along the Housatonic River. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management has hired Allison Lassoe, who attended several of the public hearings, as the Bikeway Berkshire Planner. How the trail would fit into the river restoration process was a frequent topic of discussion throughout the public input process. Views ranged from the enthusiastic to the skeptical. "A bike trail along the Housatonic River strikes me as being counterproductive," Phillip Brian of Lee said. "If the goal is to restore nature, that isn’t the way to accomplish the goal." But Don Deno of Stockbridge suggested that the railroad right of way from Pittsfield to Sheffield be purchased and used for a bicycle trail along the river. This would provide better riverfront access for a trail, land protection, canoe access points, river-related recreational sites, and other amenities. Berkshire Scenic Railway President John Herbert endorsed the idea, noting that the railroad is thirty-six miles long with ten miles of it directly adjacent to the Housatonic River. The entire railroad falls within the watershed. "You don’t have to rip up the railroad to do the trail," Herbert said. "There are forty railroads with bike trails along them, now." He said the railroad’s right of way is fifty feet wide, leaving enough room for a bicycle path. He added that to make this happen, one would have to approach the Housatonic Railroad Company. "They would need to be educated," he said. Lassoe said the bicycle path was in its preliminary stages and that opportunities for constructing riverfront trails might exist, particularly in Pittsfield as part of the PCB remediation process. But, she said, the proposal would not be an uninterrupted path along the banks of the river. Marjorie Cohan and others of the Pittsfield Bike Path Council endorsed the idea of a bike path along the Housatonic River wherever appropriate. However, while the importance of a north-south bikeway was recognized, the idea of utilizing the Housatonic River was met with considerable caution. Others spoke repeatedly of protecting the river’s wild character and its natural resources, reserving the river for other, more low-impact uses. |
