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Big Walk VI
Big Walk IV
Big Walk III
Watuppa/Wampanoag Trail
Walk supports plans for bigger Greenway
by Brian Fonseca-Herald News:4/30/99
Sometimes it takes a large number of big steps to ensure the success of some very big ideas.
Walkers from around the region will mark a familiar path along the proposed Wampanoag Heritage Trail on Sunday as part of Green Futures "Big Walk III" from Fall River to New Bedford. The 15-mile trek traverses some ancient Indian trails and historical sites through the Copicut Greenbelt from Fall River/Freetown State Forest to the Acushnet Cedar Swamp Reservation.
The relaxing, up-close venture featuring a rare preserved portion of the state's awe-inspiring and uninhabited natural landscapes, is held each year to stress public and business advocating for open space acquisition and to point out the proposed area acts as a crucial bio-reserve for countless species. Perhaps, most importantly, Big Walk serves to familiarize area residents and others with the large block of open space in southern New England, showcasing its natural, historical and cultural values.
"We have a small window of opportunity to get something organized," said Green Futures member Everett Castro. "With the commuter rail coming, there is obviously going to be lots of pressure on the remaining land to develop it." Southeastern Massachusetts is among the fastest growing regions in the United States with 200,000 people estimated to move into the region in the next 20 years. Added fellow Green Futures member Al Lima, "Within the next 10 to 20 years, the chance to do this will be lost."
The Coalition for Buzzards Bay has an even bigger plan for the scope of the proposed open space corridor, lobbying to connect the Greenway from Fall River all the way to the Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth through the heavily forested upper Buzzards Bay watershed. When completed, it would cross 10 town lines and seven major rivers, and will link more than 25,000 protected acres by a nearly 75-mile trail corridor.
With assistance from eight local Buzzards Bay land trusts, and incorporating technical and design expertise from the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program, and a new Department of Environmental Management Greenways and Trails grant, the Coalition is working to network community groups and citizens in the visionary endeavor through public meetings. "It's part of a unifying theme we're building. It excites people that they're going to enter something with access like this together," said land specialist Michael Labossiere, president of the Greater Fall River Land Conservancy and Buzzards Bay Greenway member. "I think it can be a great attraction. Right now it's one section of the state that doesn't have a good network of trails. Along the Copicut, this will involve land protection, watershed protection and a huge space for endangered habitats."
Lima said proposed area's potentially positive economic impact should not be understated. "Businesses have always been attracted to high-quality of life open areas. Especially with the advent of computers today, people can move anywhere they want. Most want to be near open and natural recreational areas like this." He continued, "It would be a great selling point for Fall River and New Bedford. Not only that, it won't be very expensive. I think this would be unique." Lima said he's heard plights of many suburbanized communities in the state, particularly those surrounding Boston, which have become overrun with "urban sprawl" and lost their identities.
At Big Walk III, the first five miles of the proposed Buzzards Bay Greenway will be dedicated, as well as the unveiling of the project's trail marker. Special promontional Greenway posters will also be distributed. Big Walk III will consist of three walking groups: an expert group to walk the entire trail nonstop; a moderate group which will complete the full trail, but with short stops at areas of historic or natural significance and the leisurely group, which will walk an abridged version of the rail route. Vans will be available at two intermediate locations as well as at the end of the trail to shuttle folks back to their vehicles.
"We encourage everyone from children, to dogs on leashes, to the elderly, to Appalachian Mountain types. Regardless of your walking ability, there's a place for you," said Castro.
Each hiker will receive a copy of the Green Futures trail guide, detailing historical facts and sites along the way. Hiking shoes are required, while sandals are highly discouraged.Walkers will begin the walk at the Fall River/Freetown State Forest headquarters, Slab Bridge Road, Assonet/Freetown, MA at 8 a.m.