DALTON, Mass. — The Open Space Committee is seeking new members. 

 

The committee was established in March 2020 following the update of the open space recreation plan. Its goal is to protect the town's "treasured natural resources and parks and [maintain] the scenic beauty of the town."

 

The estimated time commitment is one to three hours each month. The committee's goal is to promote a culture of outdoor appreciation by highlighting local attractions such as the Wahconah waterfall, the Appalachian Trail, the Pines, and other destinations in the area.

 

"We're trying to get rid of the invasives in a Pines Trail. The more people thinking outside the box and that have some knowledge and that expertise is always helpful," said Brandin Quail, committee chair. 

 

"Anybody who's willing to volunteer their time to help you know our recreation areas be a better place for people to go out into is valuable."

 

The committee has not been meeting frequently because of the need for additional members. The committee welcomed two new members, Quail and Mary Hang, this past Monday voted in Quail as the chair. 

 

These new additions bring the total number of members on the seven-member committee to four.

 

"I spend a lot of time outside. I like to hike. I like to play basketball, I like to golf, like to do a lot of things that include outdoor activities and I think it's important that we put a focus on those going forward," Quail said.

 

"I think it's important to the youth to be outside and to adults as well. I think it has a big impact on you feeling better, better about yourself." 

 

Hang highlighted the several cultural, outdoor and recreational activities in the area, including the Fitch-Hoose House and Wahconah waterfall. 

 

"I just like being outside in nature and I think it's a healthy and a great coping skill for people and I think there's a lot of like missing Berkshire gems that folks don't know about," she said. 

 

"I think the Pines is going to open that to our residents here in that town and in other nearby towns. So you think this the pines, is kind of going to be like a gateway to other other spaces."

 

The committee is working on several initiatives, especially for its first project focused on rejuvenating the Pines Trailhead. 

 

This will include addressing invasive species, raising awareness of this "hidden gem," and collaborating with local organizations and outdoor enthusiasts to organize activities and educational programming such as photography and birdwatching, among others, committee members said.

 

"I think it's important that we people have a place to enjoy that's so accessible to them right here in a residential area. It's really quite a gem that we have the pines. I mean, that's like a first big project for us," committee member Cheryl Rose said.

 

"The more people get out in nature, the more they see the value of it…Sometimes the natural woods are just thought of as just kind of there for whatever humanity wants to do to it and some of us feel like it has a lot of value that's worth preserving and protecting."

 

Supporting outdoor recreation also benefits local businesses as hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are likely to visit shops and restaurants while in town, committee members said.