Walking the Blueberry Trail, August 8, 2015
Walking the Blueberry Trail
Date: Saturday, August 8th at 1pm (Raindate: Sunday, August 9th)
If in doubt about the weather, call Dave Gott at 413-773-3568 for a last minute update.
Location: The Benson Place, 182 Flagg Hill Road, Heath, MA
Park along road leading up to kiosk. Please leave parking spaces closest to the barn available for berry customers.
Join Ted Watt, naturalist at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst, for a rescheduled and relaxed exploration along the recently completed
public access trail at The Benson Place. This low bush blueberry farm in Heath has been permanently protected through the Massachusetts Agricultural
Preservation Restriction program, with assistance from FLT, preserving its unique habitat and beautiful views to the south and west. We’ll follow the
route of the trail, looking for signs of animals and other intriguing goings on in the world of nature. Visit www.franklinlandtrust.org to preview
a trail map and brochure. If you cannot join us at this time, feel free to respectfully walk this publicly accessible trail anytime between dawn and
dusk.
If you are interested in picking or buying blueberries on the day of the trail walk, please make advance arrangements at www.bensonplace.org or by calling 413-337-5340.
Dress for the weather bring snacks for energy, and binoculars if you can. If bringing lotion or insect repellent, please be sensitive to the needs of anyone
with fragrance concerns.
Difficulty of hike: easy to moderate
Pre-registration is requested but not required. To register please contact Linda Alvord at the Franklin Land Trust at lalvord@franklinlandtrust.org or 413-625-9152 ext 100
Directions: From the East: From the I-91 exit in Greenfield take Rte 2 West about 14 miles (3.5 miles beyond Shelburne Falls). On your right will be the
Oxbow Resort Motel. One half mile later, turn right on Avery Road, where the sign will direct you towards Heath Center. After almost 2 miles, the road
forks. Take right fork and wind uphill for 2 miles until you come to a T-junction. Turn right onto Taylor Brook Road, which is gravel, and go 1 mile.
Stop at the crossroads, then turn right on Flagg Hill Road (also gravel). Climb a short steep hill, and follow the road for 1.7 miles, always bearing
right. Follow signs to the Benson Place, which is at the end of the road on the right.
From the West: From the village of Charlemont (which is 20 miles east of North Adams), travel approximately 3.5 miles east on Rte 2. Turn left onto Avery
Road, where a sign will direct you towards Heath Center. Then as above.
The Benson Place Blueberry Trail is available daily from dawn to dusk to the public for respectful, non-vehicular use. To read the usage guidelines and
the guided trail narrative, visit www.franklinlandtrust.org and click onto “properties”. Copies of the trail guide are also available at the kiosk
on Flagg Hill Road.