Williams students chart path for Mahican-Mohawk Bike Trail bike trail

12:00AM / Friday, May 10, 2002Print Story | Email Story

It sounds like a simple idea - build a bike path along the Hoosic River, allowing bicyclers to travel safely from Williamstown to North Adams, boosting river conservancy and environmental awareness and making the area more appealing to residents and tourists. Simple, however, does not mean easy. Four Williams College students this week unveiled a feasibility study - part of a class project - on constructing a bike path from Cole Avenue in Williamstown to Ashton Avenue in North Adams. The project, the group said, is challenging but could be well worth the effort. Christine Fletcher, Jordan Goldwarg, Michelle Ruby and Joanna Touger on Wednesday recommended building the "Mahican-Mohawk Bike Trail," along the sewer easement from Cole Avenue in Williamstown to Galvin Road, crossing the Hoosic River, then building a "rail trail" into North Adams to Ashton Avenue. The students favored this option over building the entire trail along the sewer easement or railroad, building a "diamond" bike land along Route 2, or simply leaving things as they are. The project only described the benefits and challenges related to building a trail, but did not estimate cost or offer details such as whether the path should be paved. Nevertheless, according to the group, the trail could significantly benefit residents, students and tourists alike. Difficult commute by bike Currently, Ruby said, bicycling or walking from Williamstown to North Adams along Rt. 2 is arduous and somewhat dangerous because of the heavy vehicle traffic. Yet many residents who now regularly travel the route by car could be biking. The Hoosic River, she added, is "under appreciated" as a natural resource, because it is not easily accessed. Also, a trail connecting Williamstown and North Adams would have symbolic value, helping to ease tensions and build a sense of shared purpose. "It would be great to link these two communities," Ruby said. The trail could showcase the region's industrial past, winding past former mills, the railroad tracks and MASS MoCA, the former Sprague Electric complex. In addition, parts of the trail offer natural beauty and historical value. Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Benedict Arnold traversed parts of the corridor. Government support? Fletcher noted that the state and federal government has been pressing the communities to clean up and improve some former industrial sites, including the Photec property in Williamstown. A bike path could be included as part of that process. "The time is right for a bike path in this area," she said. Goldwarg said that the "legal and physical" challenges to building the trial could be substantial. Some authorities say that building along the sewer easement could limit access to the line, while others say it would improve access. In addition, property owners are sometime reluctant to allow paths along rail trails, because it could increase trespassing and liability concerns. The state's Rivers Protection Act, Goldwarg noted, severely limits development along riverways. He said, however, that environmental and state officials typically view bike paths in a favorable light. Another potential barrier involves the Spruces mobile home park, through which a section of the trail would run. The current owners, Goldwarg said, have resisted the concept, even posting a sign that bans bike riders from the Williamstown property. The property, however, is for sale, and new owners could be more receptive. "[The bike path] really could be seen as something that would attract peopleâ€¦and be a benefit to the property," he said. Some federal funds could be available, related to industrial clean up, Goldwarg added, but the time is limited: "It's really a good time for [building] bike paths." It also remains unclear how the trail would impact MASS MoCA, which could become "controversial," Ruby said. Community support vital The students are hoping that the feasibility study spurs debate and eventually action on the bike path concept. Lauren Stevens, director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association, asked the students to conduct the study, after the state turned down a grant request. Although the proposed sewer easement/rail trail combination trail is new, the concept of a Mahican-Mohawk Bike Trail has been discussed since about 1968. The students noted that bike path construction is gaining popularity in many communities. The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, a five-mile trail from Cheshire to Adams, opened this past summer. Federal and state legislators have been supportive for recent projects, and the students speculated that the Mahican-Mohawk Bike Trail could gain support as well. Most importantly, however, is support from within the community. "We really want this to be a trail that the community, both in Williamstown and in North Adams, supports," Touger said. For more information on the bike path project, call (413) 458-2742 or(413) 458-2742.

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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.

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