Friday November 17th 2017 we toured CM Gardner State Park in Huntington and Chester Blandford State Park and Campground with Commissioner Roy and Dom Sacco of the DCR from Boston. These places are closed state parks and campgrounds. Today all of us who each are a part of numerous civic associations in the Hilltowns networked together to help solve the problems we face now and give our input for what we want to see happen in the future, such as creating a connecting trail network throughout the Hilltowns, opening up Windsor State Forest, opening up the Chester Blandford Campground and having an outfitter on Route 20 with bike, ski and kayak rentals. Our open spaces and recreation areas are key in attracting tourists and boosting economic development in the hilltowns. We need to stay diligent and keep these places full of their natural beauty while also promoting them to visitors. Our natural resources are priceless and they attract home buyers, tourists and small business entrepreneurs. Commissioner Roy shares the same passion as us Hilltowners and listened to our ideas as well as informing us that the State will be investing more dollars in Western Mass in 2018. We will work closely with the DCR in the upcoming year to make improvements where needed and create some great new attractions here as well.
🌲 Special thank you to Derrick Mason of Russell organizing this event. Its not too often Western Mass gets some Boston attention. Wild n Scenic Westfield River, Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway Trail, Jacob’s Ladder Business Association, Highlands Footpath, Route 20 Association, the Town Of Huntington and Western Mass Hilltown Hikers all were a part of todays agenda.🌲 #supportthehilltownsofwesternmass

Pictured are Commissioner Roy and Dom Sacco of the DCR, Elizabeth Massa, Michele Kenney Bryan Farr Jeff Penn, Meredyth Babcock, Jeanne Mansfield LeClair, Linda Hamlin, Huntington Police Dept., Anne Wellington, Andrew Myers, Derrick Mason