WELCOME, ROCK RIVER VISITORS
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New Year, New Land, New Responsibilities
Spring has finally started to arrive in the Rock River Valley. Soon, the days will be warm and it will be time for many to return to the river, as they have for so many years.
Trail Restoration and A Call for Volunteers
Before Thom Chiofalo stepped down from the chair of Rock River Preservation, he said he and Preston Samuel would be leading an effort to work on improvements to the Trail along Rock River.
The trail is a wilderness experience, with areas of difficulty, hence the importance to have proper foot wear when hiking in. Trail restoration will make the areas that have become difficult to traverse a bit more easy to travel on. In April, the board took the first steps to upgrade trail facilities for the 2019 season. We blazed a trail for Newbrook Fire and Rescue to have emergency access to fifth beach, removed logs to allow passage for an ATV, and posted the first of the new brown/cream signs on the property that was purchased from the Swartz family.In the next several weeks, Thom Chiofalo and Preston Samuel will mark out the safest trail across the two ledge areas on the main trail from Route 30. The main event will be at the end of May. This is when volunteers are needed to help. Preston Samuel has sent an email to those individuals who have already expressed in interest in helping with trail repair. If you’re willing to lend your time and efforts to improving the trail, please email rockriverpreservation@gmail.com and give us your name and a way to contact you. A work weekend has been scheduled: Rock River Trail Day: May 18, 2019, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain Date: May 19, 2019, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at: Route 30 parking lot. Look for a brown Volvo SUV with an old guy lurking around. Bring: Lunch, water, trowel or camp shovel and lots of enthusiasm. The plan is to abandon the stairs at the third beach that are no longer safe to use, with a causeway along the river's edge at the end of the third beach. Details About the Last Fall's Land PurchaseIn late November 2018, Rock River Preservation Inc. purchased 21 acres of the Robert Swartz property along Rock River. This historic transaction was made possible by donations from gay men across the country and Canada, some of whom have been gathering on this land for decades.
For perspective on the sale of this land by Robert Swartz and his daughter Jennifer to RRP, and visit our "Land Purchase" page and read the feature story by Scott Kearnan in Boston Spirit magazine. Thank you to the 200 individuals and couples whose donations made this possible! Rock River and Rock River Preservation, Inc.
Rock River is a tributary of the West River, running its entire course within Windham County, Vermont. The river provides essential habitat to a wide range of plants, animals and aquatic life, which depend on a clean water environment. As the river winds downstream, it has also traditionally provided sanctuary and solace to varied groups of users who prize the cool, clean water and warm rocks for summertime recreation.
Rock River Preservation, Inc. - formed by a group of gay men to purchase the land and preserve the area as it has been in the past - has protected this site through a conservation easement with the Vermont Land Trust. We users are all the caretakers of this special place. To ensure that the environment remains healthy, that everyone’s rights are respected and that all may continue to enjoy the tranquil beauty of this special place, please join us in observing the following guidelines:
Rock River Preservation wishes you an enjoyable visit.
IF YOU’RE HERE, IT’S YOURS! PLEASE HELP OTHERS FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES TO KEEP OUR RIVER BEAUTIFUL Rock River Preservation Inc., PO Box 1095, Brattleboro, VT 05302 rockriverpreservation@gmail.com |
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