- Home
- Facilities
Bachelor Brook-Stony Brook Conservation Resource Area
| Documents |
Bachelor-Stony Brooks Conservation Area - River to Range Trail Network Map |
Bachelor Brook/Stony Brook Conservation Resource Area (285 acres)
Acquired in 2005 with a $500,000 Self-Help Grant and a $300,000 donation from Mount Holyoke College, in addition to approximately $700,000 of local funds including from the Conservation Commission’s dedicated fund, this parcel is the largest and most biologically diverse of the properties managed by the Commission. Most of the property lies north of Ferry Street, abuts the Connecticut River and Bachelor Brook. A smaller portion of this area lies south of Ferry Street, along Stony Brook. At present, the area is largely undisturbed, but is traversed by major power line easements and a small portion is farmed by a local farmer under an agreement with the Town. Among the unique features of this property are two of the best examples in the state of small floodplain forests and numerous rare habitats as noted previously. Due to its access to the Connecticut River and proximity to the Mount Holyoke Range, the River to Range Trail was established in 2018. The trail loops from Ferry Street, along the Connecticut River, and up to Bachelor Brook. Improvements in 2019 have extended the system of improved hiking trails to the north side of Bachelor Brook using the Route 47 bridge as access. There are three trailheads with parking at the property: Ferry Street, Hadley Street at the Town Farm, and Hadley Street on the south side of Bachelor Brook.
Acquired in 2005 with a $500,000 Self-Help Grant and a $300,000 donation from Mount Holyoke College, in addition to approximately $700,000 of local funds including from the Conservation Commission’s dedicated fund, this parcel is the largest and most biologically diverse of the properties managed by the Commission. Most of the property lies north of Ferry Street, abuts the Connecticut River and Bachelor Brook. A smaller portion of this area lies south of Ferry Street, along Stony Brook. At present, the area is largely undisturbed, but is traversed by major power line easements and a small portion is farmed by a local farmer under an agreement with the Town. Among the unique features of this property are two of the best examples in the state of small floodplain forests and numerous rare habitats as noted previously. Due to its access to the Connecticut River and proximity to the Mount Holyoke Range, the River to Range Trail was established in 2018. The trail loops from Ferry Street, along the Connecticut River, and up to Bachelor Brook. Improvements in 2019 have extended the system of improved hiking trails to the north side of Bachelor Brook using the Route 47 bridge as access. There are three trailheads with parking at the property: Ferry Street, Hadley Street at the Town Farm, and Hadley Street on the south side of Bachelor Brook.