French River Connection

VISION:

The vision of the French River Connection is for the French River and its shoreline to become a resource that is used, enjoyed, and treasured by residents and visitors to the French River region. The river's natural and cultural heritage will be appreciated and protected, recreational gatherings along the river will be encouraged, and the economic benefits of a healthy, active riverfront will be realized.

Visit our blog for the latest news!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

2010 GENERAL MEETINGS :

General meeting: Wednesday November 10 7pm

FRENCH RIVER DAY: Our Annual Picnic for members September 18 3-6pm, at Buffumville Lake. More here

LEOVICH LANDING BOY SCOUT WORK DAY: Transform the Landing September 24. Watch for more details

VISIT THE PERRYVILLE TRACE:

A trailhead sign marks the beginning of the Perryville Trace, a half-mile riverside walk in the woods opened in July 2008 and extended approximately 100 yards in 2009. The Trace is located where Perryville Road crosses the river in Webster.

The Trace is on the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism "1000 Greatest Places" list

THE GREENBRIER WATER TRAIL IS OPEN:

Here is a map of the area. If you select F11 you will get a bigger map. You can drag the map around with the mouse, or change the scale. If you click on a symbol on the map or on the legend on the left you will see a description.

Before You Go: There are beaver dams and snags to be negotiated on the trip which are located and described on map. This is definitely a one way trip if you decide to go down the river. When you get to Hodges Village, it's a 1200 foot walk to the parking area where you would leave your car. The Army Corps has graciously offered to open the gate so you can drive down to the water to pick up your boat, but would like you to call and make arrangements ahead of time. So if you don't want to carry your boat that far, contact Tim Russell at Buffumville Lake at (508) 248-5697 to make arrangements.

FRENCH RIVER PARK IS BECOMING A REALITY:

At left is a preliminary design of French River Park, a 1.66 acre parcel in downtown Webster intended to anchor the Webster Riverwalk portion of the French River Greenway. On July 8, 2010, Community Development Block Grant funding for this project was announced through the offices of state legislators Moore and Kujawski. Work has begun on the final design details and preparation of a bid package to enable the project to go forward this year.

Features of the 1.66 acre park include accessible walking paths, picnic tables and benches, site lighting, a canoe/kayak launch, and water and power to support community events. There will be 23 parking spaces, and a bike rack. The shoreline will be stabilized and rain gardens installed for stormwater management. Plantings will consist of indigenous species appropriate to the river corridor.

The Town of Webster and the French River Connection jointly hold a 15 year lease on the property.

See a larger image.

2010 WATER QUALITY MONITORING IS UNDERWAY:

On March 6, the French River Connection began its sixth water quality monitoring campaign on the French River and its tributaries. We visit 15 sites once per month from March through November. This year we started with young volunteers who work with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Shown using the TROLL 9500 at Clara Barton Road are Oxford residents Nicole Giles and Adam Carrier. Dodging the photo was park ranger Jean Hixson.

LEOVICH LANDING BOAT LAUNCH INSTALLED:

On August 12, volunteers and Lavallee Construction installed the canoe/kayak launch at Leovich Landing, accomplishing on of the project's major objectives. The launch is a stepped structure made of granite curbstone donated by the town of Oxford, and replaces an eroded cove that had developed over years of use.

The Last Green Valley has awarded us $6020 for the project, which will be matched by in-kind donations of labor, equipment, and materials. The Dudley Conservation Land Trust received a $1000 donation from WalMart to support the project.

In addition to the new launch, the site will include a parking lot, revegetation of the area cleared of invasives, a fence to delineate the parking lot, stormwater control, and a picnic area.

SHORELINE SURVEY COMPLETED:

The French River Connection has completed a Shoreline Survey of the river between Greenbrier Park in Oxford and the Connecticut line. The Survey results are implemented in Google Maps. Click on any section of the map to see a Narrative Description, Recommended Actions, and the Survey Data

PERRYVILLE TRACE MAINTENANCE:

On May 15 2010, members of the Shepherd Hill Environment Committee pitched in to make the Perryville Trace better for walkers and less attractive to beavers. Club members addressed a long-standing problem by constructing a causeway over a narrow strip between the river and an uncertified vernal pool, adding flat stones found on-site to make dry stable footing at high water. They also protected approximately 40 trees from beavers by wrapping them with welded wire.

Earlier in the Spring, French River Connection members installed pipe under a section of the Trace that gets wet from Brookside Avenue runoff to carry the water away, and cleaned up trash from the riverbanks on both sides of the River above Perryville.

DAM TRAIL RACE:

The Dam Trail Race was run at Hodges Village on August 7, with over 120 runners competing in simultaneous 5.5 and 11 mile races. The weather was great, and many runners commented on how well the course was marked, a tribute to race director John Grenier and his team.

Many volunteers spent the morning parking cars, preparing food, manning water stops, serving as race course monitors, registering runners and recording times, and we thank them all. Many also provided baked goods as prizes to the runners.

This year for the first time we gave cash prizes to the overall winners and gift certificates to top finishers from the French River Watershed.

11.5 Mile Race Finishers 5 Mile Race Finishers

THANKS TO SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS:

Without our sponsors and supporters, the race would be fun, but not the effective fundraiser that it has become. This year, we thank the following sponsors for $250 donations: Hometown Bank, North Oxford Mills, Industrial Packaging Supply, Wilson Language Training, Central Massachusetts Podiatry, and Polar Beverages for providing all the water and other drinks for the runners.

We also thank Market Basket Oxford, Wal-Mart Oxford, Shaw's Webster, Stop and Shop Putnam, Price Chopper Webster, Big Bunny and Big Y Southbridge, DelRay Doc's in Webster, and Isador's Deli in Oxford for their contributions of food or store gift cards. Finally, we received prize gift cards and other items from Point Breeze Restaurant, Isador's Deli, Carl's Oxford Diner, Central Massachusetts Podiatry, Dick's Sporting Goods, Great Canadien Canoe and Kayak Company, Pine Ridge Country Club, and Pizza Post.

BIKE RAFFLE WINNER:

The winner of the bike raffle is Ernie Benoit. His ticket was drawn at the trail race from approximately 300 sold. The bike was generously donated by Southbridge Bicycles.

Many thanks to all who purchased tickets