BERWICK — The town will soon have its first public trail on Grants Meadow.
The trail will provide access to Beaver Dam Heath on land recently purchased by Great Works Regional Land Trust.
“Time and again, folks have stated a need in Berwick for places to walk without the worry of road traffic. Great Works Regional Land Trust and Eagle Scout candidates from Troop 313 are proceeding with planning the trail development,” trust board member and Berwick resident Michael Wright said. “We look forward to having Berwick’s first public access trail open to the public next spring.”
The 28-acre site, formerly owned by Bill and Carol Bryan, was purchased through a combination of funding sources, including $10,000 from the town, $75,000 from National Fish and Wildlife Service-North American Wetland Conservation Act Funds and $10,000 from Piscataway Regional Estuaries Partnership, in addition to private donations.
The Bryans had previously donated 113 acres in Beaver Dam Heath to the land trust and the town owns an additional four acres. The land is known as a critical habitat for the spotted turtle, Blanding’s turtle and Atlantic white cedars, as well as ideal habitat for wood duck and American bittern.
“We are deeply indebted to the town, granting agencies, the Bryans and other donors in making this trail possible for now and long term,” Wright said.
Those interested in volunteering for trail development can contact Wright at 698-7627 or mikedwright@comcast.net.
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