On Sunday, November 20th at 1 pm, the South Hadley Bike-Walk Committee and the Canal Park Committee invite the public on a trek to see and learn first-hand the historically rich, but little-known treasure of Bicentennial Canal Park and its trails. South Hadley Town Meeting Members are especially welcomed to participate in preparation for the January Special Town Meeting to vote on much-needed town-funding for capital improvements to Bicentennial Canal Park. The park and trails along the CT River bank are where it all happened first for America’s canal era! Come enjoy the breathtaking vista from the park’s Overlook, discover how important South Hadley and the canal were to each other and actually walk in the now-dry, but still visible canal bed. Find out, too, about the fun hiking activity of geocaching! The trek will be led by BWC members Mariann Millard and Nancy Bozek with members of the Canal Park Committee.
The full trek will take approximately 90-minutes and is about 1.5 miles in length. The route consists of leaf-and-vegetation-lined dirt paths, which could be wet, with only one minor descent and ascent before walking along River Road, North Main Street and West Summit Street to return to the Overlook parking lot. Participants may also opt to walk only a portion of the trail before returning to the parking lot.
Meet at 12:45 pm at the Bicentennial Canal Park Overlook parking lot on Canal Street (across the street from Hubert Place). Wear weather-appropriate clothing and safe/waterproof footwear, and bring water and optional snacks. Post-trek, please join BWC and CPC members in the parking lot for light refreshments and socializing! Non-enjoyable or hazardous inclement weather/conditions will force the trek to be rescheduled for Sunday, December 4th at 1 pm.
For more information, email bikewalksouthhadley@gmail.com or visit us on our town website page at http://www.southhadley.org/739/Bike-Walk-Committee and on Facebook.