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Construction on Phase 1 of the Greylock Glen trail system will begin this spring.

Greylock Glen Trail Work To Begin In Spring

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The town, in conjunction with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, will begin construction on Phase 1 of the Greylock Glen trail system this spring.
 
As the nicer weather returns, DCR will commence construction of the 2-mile, Class 1 "Glen Meadow Loop" trail in the center of the glen development area.
 
"I’m ecstatic," Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said. "If I could do backflips I'd be doing them right now ... the credit goes to  [Director of Community Development] Donna Cesan. Her decade-plus worth of work is finally making this project a reality."
 
The trail is expected to be 8-10 feet wide crushed stone surface — the class 1 trails will be optimal walking, hiking, and biking, cross country skiing and even carriage and sleigh rides.
 
Eventually, work will continue to a 30-mile improved trail system for hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and skiing.
 
The state is investing some $3 million in the slightly modified trail system approved by the Conservation Commission last year. The original proposal was unvieled in 2009.
 
Cesan said in a press release that Phase 1 of this project will be the first part of the $50 million Greylock Glen resort project.
 
"Getting a jump start on construction of the trails system will not only be a boon for public enjoyment but help the Town attract private developer partners for the other components of the Glen resort development," Cesan said. 
 
Half of the trails will be built over existing trails and the other half will be new construction in fields or woodlands.
 
There will be multiple trails of different difficulties for mountain biking, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing and snowmobile connections. 
 
"We are incredibly excited to begin on-the- ground trail construction at Greylock Glen as a part of this model for environmental conservation, active recreation, and economic development," DCR Commissioner Leo P. Roy said in a press release.
 
The glen project has been designed as an environmentally sustainable ecotourism destination that will include a lodge and conference center, a campground, an outdoor recreation center and environmental education facility, a performing arts amphitheater, an environmental art garden and dozens of miles of multi-use trails.
 
The glen site in total is 1,063 acres and approximately 95 percent of that is permanently protected. Fewer than 50 acres will be developed, with the town as the lead developer.

Tags: DCR,   Greylock Glen,   trails,   

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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