The plan for a new open space trail along the Deerfield River below Shelburne Falls has been much talked about in these pages. Each view is largely true with some inaccuracies, exaggerations, and bias. Our opinion is also biased, and hopefully between us all we can right some of this tilting ship of public opinion. The Recorder’s readers can take it from there.
The town of Shelburne owns a large parcel of land below the dam along the Deerfield River. Everyone in Shelburne owns this land, and Shelburne residents used to have open access to it with an old road through this land, relaxing picnic tables, and even the town tennis court right by the river. Those living near the Sweetheart would take this beautiful short cut to work walking down along the river all the way into town on Deerfield street.
We can even see the old bricked sewer lines here in this nature area which is still zoned industrial. There is also refuse. This area is not pristine. Out of respect for nature it could use some cleaning up.
Everyone writing the Recorder seems to believe in preservation and restoration of this natural area. But some have also grown accustomed to treating this area as their backyard. We are one of these families who sits right on top of this area. Our home even came with an old backyard gate which gave traditional access to this area for all members of our community. And every citizen of Shelburne still has a right to access this land and the river we all own.
A lot has been made of the potential downsides for this nature trail along the river. And yet the similar Gardner’s Falls trail on the Buckland side of this same river has almost none of these problems. Let us be honest, most hikers on our trails are clean, quiet, respectful, nature-loving neighbors and friends. And so are our friends and neighbors who oppose this proposal for more open space. Surveys tell us that Shelburne residents want more open space. And we all have a right to this space which the public owns. This proposed open space trail would preserve and restore a historic pathway into town from generations ago.
This open space trail in Shelburne near the Deerfield River does not give potholes access. It does not give river access, and the river here is too rocky for any boats or boat launches. It is not an important corridor for natural species when it is hemmed in by homes and dead ends in the buildings below Mole Hollow Candles. With its one way in and out it is less likely to attract hooligans than every other part of town. It is a beautiful area which can be kept beautiful the same as every other nature trail in our area already is. And our same responsible residents who keep our trails clean and beautiful can take care of this one too.
The Deerfield River is a beautiful part of Shelburne Falls. And the rights of all residents to enjoy our river and our open space seems to outweigh the property rights of our few neighbors who do not want this particular historic preservation to restore our town’s walking path in this green area below our town as it has always been. Our thanks to the open space committee for working hard at their job of serving the whole town of Shelburne.
Thank you for printing everyone’s views on this small subject.
Stefan Topolski, MD, is a family practice professor and artist in residence at at Trailside Health in Shelburne Falls.