A second phase of enhancement to improve trail accessibility at the Lathrop Retirement Community in Northampton, MA.
CLIENT | Lathrop Retirement Community
LOCATION | Northampton, MA
DATE | 2018
Conservation Works recently led a volunteer effort to enhance Lathrop’s trail loop in Northampton! Dick and Pete recently finished the second phase of a trail enhancement project at the Lathrop Retirement Community located just off of Bridge Street in Northampton. The community’s trail links to the larger trail network on the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area in Northampton and is open to the public. The prior trail conditions made the trail less than accessible to many of the residents in the community so CW was hired to improve the tread conditions, build a bridge over a steep ravine, install some railings on steeply graded sections and install 3 strategically located customized Leopold benches for use by anyone who wanted to enjoy the setting. Dick and Pete worked with Lathrop residents and members of the Broad Brook Coalition who volunteered to do bench cutting, dig post holes, move stone and gravel on and off the trail and paint benches for the trail. Residents also baked muffins and cookies for the crew and made iced tea and lemonade for our breaks. All in all, it was a great project and one we hope to finish with a third phase of work. While working on Phase II, several residents used the newly improved trail and thanked us for making it accessible for their use!
Services Provided
Implementing new sustainable trails, including clearing designated trail routes, cutting benches, and building bridges, boardwalks and other structures. We can also upgrade existing trails to address flooding, erosion, and increase visitor satisfaction.
We’re here to make conservation work for you!
Conservation in action...
Southampton Trail Network
Town-wide trail network with connections to regional rail trail system
Retirement Community Trail
A second phase of enhancement to improve trail accessibility at the Lathrop Retirement Community in Northampton, MA.
Lathrop Community Trail System Upgrade
Reducing impact on the property’s wetlands and providing safe crossings of wet trail sections.
Historical Trail Plan
Detailed trail plans and cost estimates for the creation of an urban historical trail in a phased approach.