Visitors to High Falls this spring and summer will be able to take to the trails a little more easily. CLC is partnering with the Greenagers, a Berkshires-based nonprofit that engages teens and young adults in meaningful environmental conservation work.
The crew will focus on improving trail accessibility between the parking lot and the waterfall overlook by resurfacing the trail to achieve a more consistent texture and rerouting sections to reduce grade. Construction will be active from April 27 to May 8, and will involve heavy machinery and hand tools. Trails will remain open during this time, but visitors are encouraged to be mindful of the activity and follow rules requiring dogs to be kept on leash.
“These improvements are going to be a sigh of relief for anyone coming to High Falls who is pushing a stroller, has limited mobility, or is looking to enjoy a meandering journey through an active restoration site,” says Patrick Knapp, Director of Public Lands. “Improving the grade here is going to create opportunities for hikers of all abilities while also protecting the health of the Agawamuck Creek by limiting the erosion caused by visitors going off-trail to avoid rough spots.”
The trail improvements are part of a series of projects taking place at High Falls and continuing over the next four years. This effort began with the construction of the Levy Lookout last fall, which made it safer and easier for more visitors to view the beautiful waterfall at once. That work continues this spring thanks to a grant from the Land Trust Alliance, which supports installing additional seating at the upper portion of the overlook and creating native plantings in conjunction with Shanti Nagel of Design Wild.
Later this summer, efforts to improve the health of the forest at High Falls will enter their next phase with a planned removal of the invasive tree of heaven, which currently dominates the forest. This will lead to the closure of some trails – more information will be available on the CLC website.
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The Columbia Land Conservancy brings people together to conserve, appreciate, and enjoy land. This year, CLC is celebrating forty years of caring for land together – and looking forward to the next forty and beyond. CLC is proud to collaborate with individuals, communities, and partners to ensure Columbia County is a beautiful, livable, resilient place. For additional information, call 518.392.5252 or visit ColumbiaLand.org.
