Report to CPC_2018-12-31_Contract 270-17_INTERIM 2
REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
REHABILITATION OF A PORTION OF THE
BEAVER BROOK GREENWAY (CONTRACT 270-17)
DECEMBER 2018
Goals: The objective of this project is to convert a disused and neglected tract of land within the
Beaver Brook Greenway, important both for its history and its wildlife habitat, into an area that
can be enjoyed by the citizens of Northampton. The project, a collaboration between the Leeds
Civic Association and the Broad Brook Coalition, will focus on the 6-acre tract between
Haydenville Road and the Beaver Brook that was once part of a farm. Our plans include
arranging for visitor parking at the City's Corrosion Control Facility, construction of an
informational kiosk at the entrance to the area, installation of picnic tables and interpretive
signboards describing the cultural and natural history of the site, establishment of low-impact
trails to provide access to the project site, construction of a wildlife viewing blind near the
Beaver Brook, clearing the area of woody shrubs and other debris, and the control of invasive,
non-native plants.
Background: The City of Northampton acquired the Beaver Brook Greenway in 2010, but no
organization stepped forward to take responsibility for its upkeep and management at the time.
In 2015, an ad hoc group of LCA and BBC members met on several occasions to evaluate the
potential for turning the tract between Haydenville Road and Beaver Brook into an attractive and
interesting site for visitors which, coincidentally, is located at the northern Gateway to the City.
There remain vestiges of the Starkus farm which occupied the property in the past, including the
foundations of two houses and several outbuildings, as well as a few pieces of old farm
equipment. Vegetation is diverse, including a number of mature sugar maple, black walnut and
black locust trees, several giant yews, a variety of native shrubs, beds of garden flowers planted
by the former residents, and a heavy burden of invasive plants.
Parking: Our previous agreement with former Water Superintendent Andrew Dunn to use a
portion of the Corrosion Control Facility property on Haydenville Road for visitor parking was
never fully realized. Discussions with current Water Superintendent David Sparks has been very
cordial. Mr. Sparks readily agreed to the use of the Corrosion Facility lot for conservation area
visitors. He will install signs marking spaces for 4-5 cars on the north side of the lot, adjacent to
the entry kiosk, in early 2019.
Kiosk: A kiosk for posting information about the conservation area was installed on the north
side of the Corrosion Control Facility lot in October 2017. The kiosk was made by the Wood
Shop at the Hampshire County Jail. The sections were transported to the site and assembled by
a crew from the Beaver Brook Working Group* in October. The kiosk marks the main entrance
to the conservation area, which is reached by a short trail.
Wildlife Blind: Construction of the new, timber-framed wildlife viewing blind on the Beaver
Brook was largely completed in 2017 using lumber from trees on the site. The sheathing was
added in March (Fig. 1), the steps were completed in June and windows were cut for wildlife
viewing (Fig. 2).
Chipping Debris: In April, a crew from Cotton Tree Service spent an entire day chipping woody
debris that had been picked up and piled at various locations by volunteers (Fig. 3). Several
members of the working group took part in feeding the debris into the chipper. Wood chips were
left in piles for later use as trail cover.
Trails: Several trail sections were mowed and covered with wood chips to inhibit weed growth
(Fig. 4). We anticipate that we can keep the trails open in the future using a string trimmer,
lawnmower and hand clippers. Efforts were also made to restore some of the flower beds that
once adorned the Starkus farm.
Picnic Tables: Two picnic tables with attached benches were made by the Wood Shop at the
Hampshire County Jail and placed in the central, wooded section of the conservation area for
those who wish to enjoy a leisurely snack or lunch during their visit (Fig. 5). Our only cost was
for the lumber and hardware to be used in the construction of the tables.
Interpretive Panels: We plan to put up two large, weather-resistant panels describing the
cultural and natural history of the old Starkus farm and its surroundings. Research revealed that
the farm had been purchased by John Starkus, a Lithuanian immigrant, in 1916. His son John
and daughter Gertrude continued to live at and farm land on both sides of the Beaver Brook
until the 1970s. Smaller panels will mark Gertrude's former garden along Haydenville Road, an
old sawmill anchored in place by new tree growth, and a horse-drawn hay tedder now located in
the woods at the south end of the tract. Design work on the signs has almost been completed
(Fig. 6) and, after printing and laminating by Fossil Graphics, they will be installed in spring 2019.
Invasive Plant Control: We reached an agreement with Bay State Forestry to locate and treat
all of the invasive plants at the site fall 2018. Targets included Japanese knotweed, glossy
buckthorn, Asiatic bittersweet and several others. Due to time limitations, Bay State was only
able to complete treatment of a large stand of Japanese knotweed. A more comprehensive
round of invasive plant control will be carried out in 2019.
Brush-hogging. Brush-hogging of several relatively open areas at the north and south ends of
the area, planned for fall 2018, was postponed as the ground remained very wet from extensive
rain in September and October. We now plan to carry this job out in April 2019. If the ground is
still too wet, we may have to delay this task to November to avoid interfering with use of the
area by wood turtles in the spring and summer.
Goals for 2019:
1. The interpretive panels will be sent to Fossil Graphics for printing and laminating; on-site
installation is planned for late spring or summer.
2. The north and south ends of the site will be brush-hogged in the spring, weather permitting,
or in the fall.
3. Trails will once again be mowed to a width of six feet; trail at south end will be cleared of
debris. Restoration of flower beds will be continued.
4. Comprehensive invasive plant control will be carried out in late summer.
.
5. The wildlife blind will be finished up by adding benches and cutting viewing windows on the
north and south sides.
6. A "Grand Opening" will be scheduled in the summer.
Expenditures in 2018:
Budgeted Expended
Construction of wildlife blind $ 8,040
Lumber and supplies for sheathing $ 468.99
Carpentry 1,700.00
Compressor rental 150.00
Subtotal 2,318.99
Chipping woody debris 0 850.00
Picnic tables 766 524.06
Invasive plant control 1,500 400.00
Total: $ 4,093.05
Budget Summary: Initial Award $16,947.00
Expended in 2017 6,905.89
Expended in 2018 4,093.05
Balance, 12/31/18 $ 5, 948.06
Value of volunteer time contributed to project in 2017: $3,366.36
(108 hours @ $31.17 for Massachusetts in 2017 according to Independent Sector)
Value of volunteer time contributed to project in 2018: $2,275.41
(73 hours @ $31.17 for Massachusetts in 2017 according to Independent Sector; value of
volunteer labor for 2018 not yet available.)
Robert A. Zimmermann
for the Beaver Brook Working Group
February 6, 2019
*Members if the Beaver Brook Working Group: Peter Flinker, Bruce Hart, Deb Jacobs, Jason
Johnson, David Pritchard, Laurie Sanders, Heidi Stevens, Matt Verson and Bob Zimmermann
Figure 1
Installing the sheathing on wildlife blind
Figure 2
The wildlife blind is finished
Figure 3
Chipping debris
Figure 4
Spreading wood chips on the trails
Figure 5
Picnic tables delivered
Figure 6
Drafts of interpretive signs on site