Dear ECTA Supporters,
The temperatures and the leaves may be falling, but we are still busy out on the trails! Read below about our recent work at Dow Brook Conservation Area and Willowdale State Forest. We hope that you can get out this holiday weekend to enjoy these properties, or join our friends at WNRDC and Greenbelt for walks in West Newbury and Boxford!
Please keep in mind as you are on the trails that hunting season is well underway and continues through December. Please wear your blaze orange if you are going to be on wooded trails or anywhere that is not heavily populated. Many public and private properties in our trail network are open to hunting!
Click herefor more details on the Massachusetts hunting season. Also, several bridle trails will close on December 1st to preserve the footing through the winter. Please check our Trail Alerts or Facebook Page for the latest updates.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dow Brook Trail Work Day
28 volunteers from ECTA, REI, the Town of Ipswich, the Bay Circuit Alliance and Americorps joined us Saturday, November 3rd to improve the Down Brook Conservation Area trail network. We accomplished our three main goals of rerouting a section of trail, starting construction on a boardwalk through the wetland area, and adding crushed stone to a muddy part of the trail. We were even able to work on a few more sections of the trail! Read on & see more photos >>
Three Pipe Trail Resurrected!
The Three Pipe Trail in Willowdale is a vital link used by mountain bikers, runners, hikers, cross-country skiers, and equestrians. It has often been under water in recent years because of three failed culverts. With Conservation Commission permission and the approval of State Park management, ECTA has replaced the collapsed culverts and resurfaced sections of the causeway and trail with pack material. The renewal of this trail has made for a beautiful and safe experience, and was finished just in time for the annual Stone Cat Trail Race!Check our website and Facebook Page in the coming weeks for pictures.
Upcoming Events
West Newbury Riding & Driving Club
Post–Turkey Trail Ride/Walk
Friday 11/23, 10:00 am
Bag the Black Friday shopping chaos and get outside instead! Work off that Turkey Day meal with a guided ride/walk at Riverbend in West Newbury. For more information >>
EC Greenbelt Bald Hill Trail Walk
Sunday 11/25, 1:00 pm
Experience the quiet trails and signs of wildlife within Bald Hill Reservation and Boxford State Forest with naturalist Jim MacDougall. For more information >>
Turkey Hill Trail Walk Saturday 12/8, 10:00 am The Town of Ipswich Open Space Program is hosting an Opening Event and Guided Winter Tree Identification Walk at the Turkey Hill Conservation Area on Pineswamp Road. For more information >>
Thank You to Our Lead & Sustaining Sponsors!
Contact us today to find out how your business can become an ECTA sponsor!
The retailers below offer ECTA members great discounts on goods and services.
Farm Bar and Grille
Ipswich Inn
Wenham Sports Stop
Zumi’s Coffee Shop
First Light Anglers
Pinnacle Bikes
New England Running Co
Green Elephant Toys
Grassy Roots
True North Gallery
North Shore Dressage
