Celebrate National Trails Day at River Walk
Saturday June 3, 2017 9am-1:30pm
Hikes, Paddle, History Walk, Children’s activity and Community Potluck Picnic/ FREE
Meet at the Du Bois River Garden Park (corner of Church and River Streets in Great Barrington) to explore the natural landscape through a variety of activities–hiking, paddling, history walk and a riverside activity for children. Potluck picnic at 12:30. For more information, CLICK, contact Christine Ward info@GBLand.org or
River Walk Self-guided Tour
9am-1:30pm / all welcome/ no registration necessary
Come experience the wonder of our own National Recreation Trail. Learn about how trail design and ongoing habitat reclamation filter storm water that flows to the Housatonic River. Kids can actively experience the Water Cycle with a great game to show where water comes from and where it goes!
Exploring Gt Barrington National Trails Paddle & Hike
9am / Pre-registration Required / space limited
Discover two National Trails with this ambitious excursion. Canoes will be provided for a lovely Housatonic River paddle that will bring us to Kellogg Rd and the Appalachian Trail. We’ll put down our paddles and hoist our packs for a gently upward 1.7 mile A.T. hike up June Mountain to Home Road. Transport provided back to River Walk and the potluck picnic. You must pre-register: info@GBLand.org. Your hosts will include Christine Ward (GBLC), Dennis Regan (HVA) and Adam Brown (ATC).
Water Cycle Activity for Families
10am to 11:30am / all welcome/ no registration necessary
Come have fun with this family water-cycle activity called “The Incredible Journey”. Children will become a drop of water and travel along the River Walk to different stations, creating a bracelet that tells the story of their journey.
Stories of Work and Life on the East Bank of the Housatonic River
10:30am / pre-registration appreciated.
Join Bernard Drew for a trip into history. Learn about the first Bridge Street bridge, the old Log Homes property, 19th century land development, the rubberwear factory across from St. Peter’s Center and, particularly, the home of Jason and Almira Cooley, whose house is still there. The Cooley’s had more than one restaurant in town. Jason sometimes went down the hill and paddled a small boat across the river to the other shore to go to work. The journey begins at the Du Bois River Garden Park on River Walk and takes us across the river, then north on East Street, west on Cottage Street and south on Main Street. We will travel back to our starting place along River Walk. Register: info@GBLand.org
Sponsored by Great Barrington Land Conservancy with Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Greenagers, Housatonic Valley Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the GB Historic Society.