ADAMS, Mass. — There's been numerous plans for the Greylock Glen over the past half century — casinos and golf courses, condos and hotels, tramways and ski slopes. 

 

On Friday, the first milestone in the development of the 50-acre parcel was finally realized with the opening of the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center. 

 

"It's taken us 50 years. Good morning everyone! We all did it, right? We did it!" said Selectmen Chair John Duval, encouraging the hundreds of gathered at the center to cheer and applaud on Friday morning. "It's been a long-standing hope that this building will establish Adams as a destination for outdoor recreation. ...

 

"The project is intended to serve as a catalyst for economic growth of Adams and the Northern Berkshires, a community. As a community, we look to build on our strengths, and one of the our greatest strengths is the breadth of outdoor recreation opportunities available."

 

This vision at foot of Mount Greylock began 18 years ago when the town of Adams signed an agreement with state to develop the parcel after numerous private entities had failed. It took years of meetings with local stakeholders to hash out agreements over conservation, recreation and development along with hefty sums of public funding to make it a reality. 

 

Town Administrator Jay Green noted the strong support the project had received from the community, how every request for funding had been approved by the town meeting members.

 

"Today, we are turning over the keys, the metaphorical keys, to achieving the long-held dreams and goals that this building holds inside and represents. The outdoor center belongs to you," he told the gathering. "What stands behind me is a beautiful, modern building, designed and built to complement its magnificent surroundings. It is full of potential, and again, you hold the key to unlock that potential."