Ribbon Cutting For Improved Emily Dickinson Trail Set For Saturday, October 15 At 10 A.M.

Source: amherstma.gov

A grant of nearly $8000  from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust enabled the Fort River Watershed Association to rehabilitate the 0.9 mile Emily Dickinson trail that runs from Groff park to the Norwottuck rail trail near South East Street. A ribbon cutting to showcase the improvements will be held at the Groff Park trailhead from 10 to 11 on Saturday, October 15.

New features include kiosks at both ends of the trail, newly painted red blazes along the route, and new posts to highlight features along the trail. The new posts will have QR codes to enable hikers to attain a more comprehensive understanding of the ecology of the watershed using their phones.

This fairly easy trail follows the Fort River past farm fields belonging to Amherst College and over small foot bridges. There are several places to stop and take a dip in the water or sit in the tall grass or on a bench overlooking the river. Additional highlights are the poetry box erected last year and the dollhouse, home to a family of toy rabbits. Water birds, songbirds, and turkeys are frequent sightings along the trail, and hatchling snapping turtles have been spotted in the spring

The trail was originally called the Misty Bottom Trail, but was renamed in 2005, when all the Amherst trails were given the names of local writers, past and present. Although most of the land for the trail belongs to Amherst College, the town has long maintained it, improving walkability and repairing the bridges.