GREENFIELD, NH -- What to the casual Monadnock Region observer may appear to be a forestry clear-cutting operation on Crotched Mountain is actually the restoration of an historic blueberry field that once crowned the knoll on the mountain's south side.

The property is owned by the Crotched Mountain Foundation, and according to the foundation's chief operating officer Michael Redmond, this restoration project, along with the construction of an accessible hiking trail leading to the knoll, is the second phase of the foundation's ambitious outdoor recreation master plan to build over four miles of accessible trails on and around the 1,400 acres of woodlands, fields and wetlands surrounding Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center which provides services to people with disabilities and their families.

An accessible trail offers outdoor recreation access to people of all ages and abilities—including those in wheelchairs and the increasing number of seniors who want to continue their enjoyment of the outdoors. In addition to trails, the Crotched Mountain program calls for construction of accessible camping and other outdoor recreation opportunities, including water sports on a small lake and seasonal hunting.

Phase one, the Dutton Brook Trail, slated to open to the public this summer, is a fully accessible trail that winds through varied natural forest habitats and along a wetland area. The mile and a half long trail extends from a trailhead with parking and amenities, including interpretive guides, along paths developed with natural materials, boardwalks and bridges built to U.S. Forest Service trail accessibility guidelines.

"This accessible trails project is the first of its kind in New England and we hope people from across the region and beyond will come to enjoy the accessibility, peace and beauty it offers," said Don Shumway, president and CEO of Crotched Mountain.

This summer, as part of the plan's second phase, a second trail will be constructed to the knoll on the south side of the mountain. Long a popular destination for hikers and birders, the new, fully-accessible knoll trail will replace the existing Shannon's Trail.

Peter Jensen & Associates of Great Barrington, MA, one of the country's foremost builders of accessible trails, and the builder of the Dutton Brook Trail, will also construct the knoll trail. The knoll has spectacular views of the Monadnocks, Uncanoonucs and other hills of southern New Hampshire.

"The knoll was known as Blueberry Hill for the highbush blueberry bushes developed by Dr. Fredrick Coville about 100 years ago," Redmond said.

Over time, trees overgrew the blueberry fields. Vestiges of the old blueberry pasture only occupied small openings dispersed throughout the overgrown tree canopy.

This summer, with selective removal of the trees underway, hikers are beginning to see the results of the blueberry restoration project.

"We're hoping to restore the former productivity of the blueberry fields, and make them available to hikers and berry-pickers of all abilities," said Redmond.

Crotched Mountain worked with Natural Resources Conservation Services to secure a Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program grant to help underwrite the restoration project which will foster the development of a rich and diminishing habitat that exists along forest edges.

This open shrubby habitat, which is increasingly rare as old fields and hilltops are overtaken by forest, is valuable to a number of rare wildlife species, including New England cottontail, northern black racer, eastern towhees, and many other songbirds. Crotched Mountain will continue to manage the area to maintain this habitat and to encourage berry production. A number of mast, or nut-bearing, trees have been left to provide shade and food for wildlife.

D H Hardwick & Sons, Inc. of Francestown began clearing overgrowth on the blueberry fields last fall. They continue working to thin the nearly 121 acres to allow the mast trees to grow with reduced competition. The restored blueberry bushes will be maintained with biennial pruning to maximize fruit production. This process is typically accomplished with a mower; however, given the challenge of uneven and rocky terrain, Crotched Mountain has requested permission from the Natural Resources Conservation Services to use goats for this purpose.

"Goats excel at clearing vegetative growth and debarking stumpage, and they navigate easily around the boulders while adding fertilizer to the fields. We believe that using portable fence to contain the goats to the pruning areas is preferable to using a diesel tractor with mechanical mower, explains project manager, Ray Sebold. "However," he added, "should the Conservation Service rule against the idea, we'll comply and prune by mechanical means."

"The Wildlife Habitat Incentive grant has enabled us to accomplish the restoration with the highest conservation values and standards," said Shumway. "We're delighted with our partnership and grateful for all their assistance."

"In addition, many trailer loads of wood chips made their way across the street to supply our biomass district heating system to keep our campus warm with local, sustainably harvested wood chips," Shumway added.

Work on the restoration project and other accessible recreation projects are accomplished solely through grants and donations. Recent grant awards include a $25,000 grant from the NH Hampshire Trails Bureau to help fund the second phase of trail-building.

For more information, or to donate to Crotched Mountain's Accessible Trails Project, call Michael Redmond at 603-547-3311, ext. 1479.

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About Crotched Mountain Foundation

Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization whose mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 consumers, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, living in New England and New York. For more information about Crotched Mountain, please visit www.crotchedmountain.org.

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