Saturday, July 17, 2010

French River Park Gets Funded

On July 8, the offices of state legislators Moore and Kujawski announced funding for French River Park in Webster through the Community Development Block Grant program. This funding has enabled us to kick off final design and bid package preparation, and should mean that shovels can go in the ground this year. Time will tell if completion must wait until spring.

Features of the 1.66 acre park include accessible walking paths, picnic tables and benches, site lighting, a canoe/kayak launch, and water and power to support community events. There will be 23 parking spaces, and a bike rack. The shoreline will be stabilized and rain gardens installed for stormwater management. Plantings will consist of indigenous species appropriate to the river corridor.

Perryville Trace is One in a Thousand

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism has announced a list of "1000 Greatest Places in Massachusetts", as determined by an appointed commission. Among their selections is our own Perryville Trace, located at the French River bridge on Perryville Road in Webster. The bridge is currently closed for construction, but the Trace is open. Visitors may have to make their way around construction vehicles.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Dam Trail Race Welcomes Sponsors

This year for the first time we have sought sponsors for the Dam Trail Race to be held August 7 at Hodges Village in Oxford. Hometown Bank, North Oxford Mills, Wilson Language Training, Industrial Packaging Supply, and Central Massachusetts Podiatry have joined Polar Beverages as sponsors. We are very grateful for their contributions, and hope to make this the best Dam Trail Race yet.

This year an 11.5 and a 5 mile course will be run simultaneously. There will be cash prizes for the overall male and female winners of each race, and special prizes for the top finishers from the French River watershed. Age group and random draw prizes will consist of baked goods, Dick's Sporting Goods gift certificates, and other items.

The starting gun goes off at 9am sharp. Runners may preregister, or enter on race day beginning at 7:30.

More information