River walks

Interactive Map for the Hidden Mill Riverwalk

July 1, 2015 by JW Sinton

Here’s an amazing interactive map for the Mill Riverwalk from Paradise Pond to Old South Street. Check it out and send us your feedback at info@millrivergreenway.org
Thanks to the incredible work of Victoria Beckley and Jon Caris at the Spatial Analysis Laboratory at Smith College, we have an interactive map of the riverwalk from Paradise Pond to the corner of Old South Street and Conz in Northampton. This is a companion to the brochure, but allows us to display other features and links, such as Smith College’s Paradise Pond monitoring project. It also provides a more accurate location for the former Hoe Shop at the dam.

Please let us know what you think of it. You can find it here.

Leeds Rail Trail Closing in July

July 1, 2015 by JW Sinton

Construction of the MassCentral Rail Trail extension will begin in Leeds in the middle of July, precise date to be determined. During much of the construction, the existing and new section of the trail north of Florence Street/Mulberry Street and Grove Avenue will be closed.

This is one of the projects that the CPC and your donations to the City of Northampton and Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways have supported over the years. Thank you.

New T-Shirts and MRGI in the News

May 13, 2015 by JW Sinton

First, check out these fabulous MRGI t-shirts designed by the extraordinary Rob Stewart and Damia Cavallari of Transit Authority Figures. They come in black or green, sizes small to extra large, and you can buy one for $20 at any MRGI event. Sorry, no mail sales, but if you contact us, we might be able to meet you somewhere in the Mill River watershed.

Second, see how fine these t-shirts look on Gaby and John, who were thrilled on May 13th to receive the Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways 2015 Trail Neighbor Award. Thanks to all our supportive members who made this special accolade possible!

Third, Gaby and John had a great time with Jim Madigan on WGBY’s Connecting Point this month when Jim interviewed us about MRGI’s work. It’s a fun 6 minutes, so check it out — hit the link and scroll down to the Mill River Greenway segment.

Finally, we still have some room left on the summer riverwalks, so please sign up to assure yourselves places.

Gaby and John with the new MRGI t-shirt 5.13.15

Riverwalks 2015 July-September

April 29, 2015 by JW Sinton

Hello Friends!

We’re delighted to announce the next set of Mill River walks for 2015. Please email us at info@millrivergreenway.org to reserve your spots. Every walk so far has been full with a waiting list, so register early!

All walks will take place from 10am – noon. Details on the meet-up location will be sent to registered participants as the dates approach.

Sunday July 19, Leeds Village (hosted by the Leeds Civic Association Mill River Greenway Committee with Sue Carbin, Penny Geis, Heidi Stevens, and Jason Johnson)

Saturday August 15, Florence I: downtown Florence/Arts & Industry (John and Wendy Sinton)

Saturday, September 26, Florence II: Broughton’s Meadow/GFN Farm (Laurie Sanders and Betty Sharpe)

And don’t forget your passports! Our gorgeous new MRGI t-shirt will make its debut soon as your prize for completing all ten Mill River walks.

See you soon!
Gaby and John

A Glorious Paddle at Arcadia

April 22, 2015 by JW Sinton

Thanks to Dave McLean, Jonah Keane and all the folks at MassAudubon’s Arcadia Refuge, the MRGI folks had a wonderful Sunday morning exploring the floodplain forest. How lucky we are to have such natural beauty and expert guides so close to home!
…and what luck to have had our great videographer John Body along. Here’s a quick taste of a couple of highlights. Dave sighted a great horned owl flying, then its nest, then its 2 owlets, the older sibling sitting on a branch near the water and the younger, less fledged, still in the nest. (John Body photos)