Kestrel Land Trust proposes new loop trail in Hadley

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 02-01-2023 9:06 PM

HADLEY — A new loop trail overlooking the historic Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum property that will allow walkers to take in a view of the farm fields along the Connecticut River is being proposed by Kestrel Land Trust for its Dyer Conservation Area.

The trail work at the 35-acre site, which will supplement the existing Mount Warner Connector Trail, is being brought before the Conservation Commission Tuesday as a request for determination of applicability.

The commission meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Hadley Senior Center, and also offers a virtual format.

“Kestrel is proposing to build a quarter-mile loop trail that takes users off the Mount Warner Connector Trail, west to a viewpoint, and then back to the Mount Warner Connector Trail,” said Stu Watson, Kestrel’s stewardship manager.

Watson said the loop trail will provide users with a more thorough experience of Dyer, rather than just passing through to the Mount Warner Reservation, a Trustees of Reservation property. Dyer includes a 6-acre hayfield on the east side of River Drive, and 29 acres of upland forest farther to the east.

In addition to the view of the Hadley agricultural lands, Porter-Phelps Huntington Museum and its land and the Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Watson said the short walk on the trail, with a bench at the viewpoint, might be accomplished during a lunch break.

Plans also call for installation of a small kiosk on the existing trail closer to its entrance from River Drive.

]]>

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Granby Bow and Gun Club says stray bullets that hit homes in Belchertown did not come from its range
Super defers Amherst middle school principal pick to successor; one finalist says decision is retaliation for lawsuit
Political newcomer defeats Shores Ness for Deerfield Selectboard seat
‘Home away from home’: North Amherst Library officially dedicated, as anonymous donor of $1.7M revealed
Town manager’s plan shorts Amherst Regional Schools’ budget
Annette Pfannebecker: Vote yes for Shores Ness and for Deerfield