What Did We Do in 2024?
2024 was a fantastic year for BSTRA, marked by exciting events, successful fundraising, and significant contributions to our beloved trails.
We organized 13 rides, attracting 487 enthusiastic riders. The tack sale, trailer safety clinic, and two campouts added to the fun and camaraderie.
Our fundraising efforts were exceptional, generating a remarkable $18,579.76. Here’s how we put those funds to good use:
- Wyndham Land Trust: Donated $10,500 to preserve land open to horseback riding.
- Mass Parks for All: Contributed $500 to advocate for our forests and parks.
- Friends of Upton State Forest: Donated $240.30 for future trail improvements.
- Hubbardston Mt. Jefferson: Contributed $1,500 for bridge and trail improvements.
- Grafton: Provided geotextile material for horse-safe bridges.
- Douglas Connector Trail: we officially opened a 1/2 mile connector trail, including a 0.2-mile loop, from the Southern New England Trunkline Trail to the trail system behind Douglas schools. This project involved 166.89 volunteer hours, cash expenses of $13,310, and donated equipment and materials worth $2,100, totaling $22,202. The ribbon-cutting ceremony in December was a proud moment for all involved.
- Inman Hill Wildlife Conservation Area in Mendon, MA, we created 1.2 miles of new trails around the hay fields. This project required 24.76 volunteer hours and $10,700 in cash expenses, totaling $11,708.
We also dedicated 162.09 volunteer hours to trail work in Douglas, Upton, Oxford, Thompson, CT, and Escoheag, RI, valued at $6,598.
In total, we invested a grand sum of $52,508 into our trails in 2024!
Here’s a breakdown of our volunteer hours:
- Events:649.97 hours
- Fundraising:84.9 hours
- Meetings: 71.24 hours including attending various public hearing and collaborating with organization to represent our interests in horseback riding.
- Trail Projects:34.25 hours
- Trail Work:319.49 hours
- Writing: 184.06 hours for newsletters, public hearing comments, grants and letters about trails.
A total of 72 volunteers contributed an impressive 1,426.92 hours. This includes 48 BSTRA members who contributed 1,343.91 hours and 24 non-members who contributed 83.01 hours. The total value of these contributed hours is an astounding $58,461. This uses the Independent Sector volunteer rate of $40.97 for Massachusetts.
Jan. 6, 2024 Warren Brook Bridge Upton MA
This was joint project between Upton Land Stewardship Committee, Blackstone Valley New England Mountain Bike Association, and Bay State Trail Riders Association. The project was located at the Warren Brook Conservation Area and involved a 60′ bridge where the decking was failing. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) grate panels were placed directly on top of the old decking. Curbing installed, geo-textile material laid out on the decking anchored by pressure treated strips. Pea stone was spread on top of that. We now have a non-slip, safe bridge for users to enjoy. It was a super great collaborative effort and a lot of fun working with everyone!
Many thanks to the following volunteers: Becky Kalagher, Laura Zimmer, Robert Hatch, Stephanie Frend, Kevin Sylvia, Marcella Stasa, Bill Taylor, Craig McCoskery, Toby Teller, Bill Knott, Mary Overvett, Eric Reustle, Libba Moore, Scott Henderson, and Brian Forestal.
Project cost/value
52.31 hours $2,143
BSTRA contribution to bridge materials $3,000
Town of Upton contribution to bridge materials $5,000
Blackstone Valley NEMBA contribution to bridge materials $750
BSTRA donated 217.5 sf geo-textile material worth $233
BSTRA donated 20 buckets of pea stone
TOTAL PROJECT VALUE $11,126
February 26, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
WHP Trucking & Excavating came in to set the granite pieces that were already there for the twenty foot bridge. There were enough granite pieces to build up a ramp on one side and set two on the other side of the stream for the bridge abutments. Bill Porter graciously donated his machine time and 4 loads of gravel with a value of $1,900.
Alex Aquadro donated his machine labor time to set the granite pieces at the 16’ bridge spot plus spreading gravel for the granite pieces.
April 6, 2024 Legrand Reynolds Horsemen’s Camping Area Escoheag RI
Members from BSTRA, Moswansicut Riding & Driving Club, Cross State Trail Riders and the RI Federation of Riding Clubs joined up to clean up the camping area.
There were numerous trees, big branches, lots of sticks and tons of leaves that were cleaned up. Throw in some brush cutting and you have a nicely cleaned up camping area. Our work was made also easier because Eric brought his tractor with grabbing claw in front and brush hog in the back.
Many thanks to the BSTRA members that were present (some wearing dual hats!) Phil & Jane Rutledge, Neil & Shirley Standring, and Becky Kalagher. Our volunteer work for the day was 20 working hours worth $819.40
April 13, 2024 Thompson CT
On April 13th, nine people gathered to get a head start on the trail work. We figured we might need two work days to clean everything up. It was a good thing we did because the winter wind storms really wrecked havoc all over the place.
We split up into three groups and targeted the worst sections. Many thanks to the following for their hard work in clearing out the trails. Bill & Angie Knott, Rita Ballou, Becky Kalagher, Darlene Falcone, Cheryl Fitzpatrick, Peggy Rotti, Chris DiMasi, and Valerie & Dave Clark. We put in 25 hours worth $1,024.25
April 20, 2024 Park Serve Day Douglas State Forest, Douglas MA
We had a great turn out, 17 people. Enough that we broke up into three groups to tackle the Bill Annese Trail. We did get 2.1 miles of that trail brushed back and winter debris picked up. We didn’t finish up the one section in the middle of .44 tenths of a mile. No complaints here!
Afterwards we ordered lunch and had it delivered to the Bill Annese Trail head parking lot. We certainly earned our lunches today with all the hard work everyone put in.
A super job well done by the following volunteers: Bill & Angie Knott, Barbara McCumber, Becky Kalagher, MaryEllen Coyne, Dallas & David Keeney, Valerie Clark, Gloria Duhaime, Denise Leonard, Phil & Jane Rutledge, Neil & Shirley Standring, Darlene Falcone, Jen Hoyt, and Cheryl Fitzpatrick.
All totaled we put in 47.67 hours worth $1,953.04 plus $205.71 for lunch.
April 21, 2024 Park Serve Day Upton State Forest, Upton MA
Twenty-four volunteers joined DCR to participate in National Park Serve Day at Upton State Forest. Some folks headed out on the trails to brush back overgrown foliage with the bonus of reporting several trees down requiring DCR to come back with chain saws to clear them away. Our flagpole got a facelift with weeding and fresh mulch. Much work was done to remove the burning bush invasive species in and around the headquarters as well as lots of clean-up at the forest entrance.
Trail crew report: we worked on the trail that connects to Rabbit Run. Light work between Southboro Rd & Westboro Rd. Very heavy work between Westboro Rd. & Ridge Rd. This is where there was also some very mature burning bush shrubs. We spent a considerable amount to time really cutting this invasive back. This section had three trees that DCR needed to come back and cut down.
Once you crossed Ridge Rd. it was the same thing at the beginning of the trail, lots of burning bush that we successfully cleared back. I supposed it was a good thing that it took so long. Once we were on the other side of Ridge Road on Rabbit Run we turned a corner and ran into a mother lode of downed trees. That was as far as we were going. DCR has some serious clean up ahead of them on this trail, but hey, at least they could get to it really easy now that we had the trail cut back! All totaled we cleared back .2 of a mile of trail.
Many thanks to the following that I know were there: Becky Kalagher, Celeste Nobrega, Edward Nobrega, Emma Milford, Carrie Wood, Patty Ford, Rita Ballou, Kamryn St Germain, Deb Deschenes, Suzanne Nicholas, Joyce Sandvik, Bill Taylor (FUSF), Ellen Arnold (FUSF). These people worked a total of 39 hours worth $1,597.83
May 4, 2024 Hodges Village Dam Oxford MA
Six members from BSTRA targeted the main trail to Pump House Trail. We stopped on Pump House Trail when we hit the old paved road which was fine by us. At that point we had done 1 mile of brushing and cutting back.
A huge shout out to the following: Deb Carlson, Valerie Clark, Chris DiMasi, Cheryl Fitzpatrick, Becky Kalagher, and Barbara McCumber.
All totaled we put in 29.3 hours worth $1,200.42 plus $50.88 for lunch.
May 5, 2024 Thompson CT
nine people gathered to finish up the trail work before the ride on the 19th. Good news is that we did get the trails all set for the ride.
We again split up into groups. Valerie had my “chainsaw” work all mapped out. I had Janet & Jessica Wornham with me on my crew. The rest of the people headed out as directed by Valerie to target the last of the areas that needed our attention. Our crew covered 1.7 miles in three different areas to clean up downed trees and branches. I don’t have mileage covered by the other work crews for a grand total. I do know that we put in a total of 20.75 hours worth $850.13 plus $53.05 for lunch.
My highlight of the day was driving back to the field with Janet & Jessica when we spied a woodcock crossing the road. I did manage to get some nice pictures of the little beauty.
A grateful thanks to the following who spent the morning working on trails. Janet & Jessica Wornham, Valerie & Dave Clark, Becky Kalagher, Donna Aldrich, Rose Zariczny, Kelly Berthiaume, and Xanadu Caban.
May 12, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
This was the delivery day for the bridges. Bob Hatch drove down from Hubbardston with both bridges. Helping to off load and install were Buzz & Rita Ballou, Becky Kalagher, Alex Aquadro, and when Shelby Aquadro got home, she helped us too! All totaled we put in 38.25 hours that day worth $1,567.10.
May 19, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
Bob Hatch and Stephanie Frend came back down from Hubbardston to finish installing the railing on the 20’ bridge and curbing on the 16’ bridge.
June 15, 2024 Upton MA
Seven people showed up to work on the new trail that is being established on the 92 acres that the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) worked with Upton to preserve.
I figured we established about .1 of a mile of the new trail. Number 2 on the map is where the new trail started, so you can see how far we had to walk before we could start working. Number 1 on the map is where a bridge will be going in. And the red mark on the map is where the trail will be coming out. All totaled we worked 17.5 hours worth $716.98
August 3, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
Given the hot and humid weather, we kept our efforts to just a few hours in the morning, focusing on moving gravel.
Our main task was to start building the ramps for the newly installed bridges. This involved hauling gravel to both ends of the bridges and dumping it to create a safe approach and exit. To ensure the gravel stayed in place, we lined the sides with rocks, creating a mini stonewall effect.
We successfully completed the ramps for the 20-foot bridge, which might need a slight touch-up after settling, but it’s 99% done. We also made significant progress on the 16-foot bridge and will continue working on it in the coming month.
A huge thanks to the following who put a back breaking morning’s work. Ann Degnan, Frank Whitney, MaryEllen Coyne, Neil & Shirley Standring, Jane & Phil Rutledge, Valerie Clark, Barbara McCumber, Ed Nobrega, Sue & Steve Sanders, Becky Kalagher, and Rita Ballou. All totaled we put in 27.57 hours worth $1,129.54.
August 12, 2024 Upton MA
Eight people turned out for this work day scheduled by the Sudbury Valley Trustees lead by Dan Stimson.
We started working on the loop that will connect to the trail that we had already been working on. Splitting into two groups, one working on the trail and the other working on opening up the trail from the powerlines into the woods. We headed into the woods at 2pm and was back in the parking lot at 4:30. All totaled we put in 20 hours worth $819.40.
August 12-15, 2024 Inman Hill Wildlife Conservation Area, Mendon MA
Work started on this project on Aug. 12th by CJM Construction Inc. and is now close to done. The on the ground clearing of establishing a trail around the perimeter of the hay fields and through a couple of very over grown fields.
This project cost $10,700 with 24.76 hours of project oversite and work worth $1,014.42
As you can see by the map in the picture slides, there is plenty of room to park trailers in the field that is circled in red. The new hay field trails are in green and the red line is the old field cart road to access the new trail. Once you are back onto Inman Hill Road, just follow it back to where you are parked (the blue dotted line).
This project added 1.2 miles of new trails at Inman Hill Wildlife Conservation Area.
September 9, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
The day began with a mission—moving gravel to the 16-foot bridge to complete the ramp on one side. Armed with Alex’s tractor (thanks, Alex!), Becky Kalagher spent three hours placing rocks to secure the gravel. The project received a generous boost with a load of gravel donated by WHP Trucking & Excavating, a gesture that was greatly appreciated. Volunteer labor worth $122.91 plus $200 for the donated gravel.
September 19, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
Another 2.5 hours were dedicated by Becky Kalagher to moving gravel to the opposite side of the bridge, making significant progress on that ramp. The transformation was becoming more evident with each passing hour. Volunteer labor worth $102.43
September 29, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
With a small but mighty crew consisting of Becky Kalagher, Valerie Clark, and Cheryl Fitzpatrick, we tackled the installation of 4×4 PT posts for signs and points of interest along the trail. As we dug holes, our neighbor Alex once again came to the rescue. He used his tractor to move gravel to the bridge and brought more rocks for the sides.
We managed to dig and install three posts and were working on the fourth when Alex surprised us with his skid steer equipped with a post hole auger. Digging holes in New England is no easy task, so this was a delightful surprise! Alex finished the fourth hole, and I guided him to the locations of the remaining two holes. We installed one more post, completing the five I had brought with me, and called it a very productive day. Volunteers spent 15.5 hours worth $635.04
October 6, 2024 Mt. Jefferson Hubbardston MA
Bob Hatch and Stephanie Frend, Burnshirt Hills owners for doing the set up and working like crazy to try and finish up a re-route section of trail with a new bridge. They didn’t quite finish it for the ride, but we did see where the work was. Good news is that I hear it is now done. So we will get to enjoy that next year.
BSTRA contributed $1,500 towards this trail improvement.
October 18, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
Phil Rutledge and Becky Kalagher spent a total of 5 hours clearing up downed and hung up trees mostly on the Peerless Relic Path and installing one sign post. The hanger tree took some time to get down safely! Value worth $204.85
October 28, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
Becky Kalagher spent 2.42 hours spreading the rest of the gravel on the ramp of the 16’ bridge along with placing rocks on the sides to hold the gravel in place. Thank you Alex for letting me use your Kubota again! Value $99.15
October 30, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
Becky Kalagher spent 50 minutes setting up, measuring, and cutting the geotextile material. Then Phil Rutledge and Becky installed the geotextile material with the angle pieces holding it. Of course we had to blow off the accumulated leaves, so very glad Phil brought his back pack blower. That took us 3.84 hours. Total value worth $191.33
November 2, 2024 BSTRA Property Douglas MA
Becky Kalagher spent 50 minutes filling up 20 buckets of pea stone and loaded them in the truck the day before.
The final big work day. The goal was to get the pea stone spread on both the bridges, install the trail signage, and install the two point of interest car signs. And Phil added to the list blowing the leaves off the trail so that it was defined.
Pea stone brigade was Ed Nobrega, Ray Hill and Becky Kalagher. Using two wheelbarrows, we hauled the pea stone to the furthest bridge first which was the 20’ one, then we finished up the 16’ one.
While we were doing that, Phil & Jane Rutledge along with Gloria Duhaime headed out to install the trail signage.
Once our crew was done we started installing the two car signs with Gloria staying with us to help and Phil headed out to define the trail and Jane did some trimming.
All totaled we put in 19.98 hours on this day. I was feeling humbled and proud at the same time. To see a vision turn into reality was quite impactful. Total value worth $852.59.
December 1, 2024 BSTRA Property
The last work day to open up the 40′ of connector trail from the Southern New England Trunkline Trail to our trail. We finally got the official go ahead from the Department of Conservation & Recreation.
Katherine Petersson, Bruce Rioux and Becky Kalagher spent 7.25 hours finishing up that project that was worth $297.03