On Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00pm, the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will host a guided Trek led by Bike/Walk member Jim Buckley on the Leaping Well Nature Trail, which runs behind Mosier Elementary School. New accessible seating and walkway areas have recently been added thanks to funding secured by Rep. Dan Carey, along with parking improvements by the DPW. Volunteers for South Hadley’s Growing Wild initiative have been working on native plant installations. The trailhead and lot are located on Mosier Street, just before the elementary school, and across the street from Smith Middle School. People of all ages are invited to come meet people, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors!
Located on the 21-acre former Toth property behind the elementary school, this 0.66-mile neighborhood trail is relatively recent addition to South Hadley’s ever-improving trail system on town-owned lands. The trail consists of natural surfaces—grass, dirt, or wood chips. The route contains a few minor ascents and descents, and winds through a young forest, an old farm field, a forest of ornamental pear trees and across several wetlands along wooden boardwalks.
For those who wish to enjoy an Trek exension, when we have completed the Leaping Well Loop, we will continue across the street to explore the Hahn-Warner Arboretum, which is located past the athletic fields at the top of the large hill behind the Michael E. Smith Middle School. Each year a new tree is planted by the Conservation Commission to honor a person or group in South Hadley in connection with Arbor Day festivities.
Meet at 12:45pm at the seating area near the trailhead kiosk in the small hiker lot located off Route 116 on Mosier Street, just before Mosier elementary school. Participants may also park in the large school parking lot. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear (be prepared for some possible wet and slippery ground conditions), and bring water and walking poles, if desired. New Trekkers are always welcomed!
All events are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions. For more information, trail maps for Leaping Well Nature Trail and Hahn-Warner Arboretum, or to check for a weather notification (posted by 10am), visit the Town website at: http://www.southhadley.org/bikewalk.