The Mt.Tom Billy Goat

Renovations At Community Field

2011-06-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Community Field is the largest park in Holyoke MA (93.6 acres) and offers active and passive recreational activities. Originally planned as an enclosed athletic stadium, the park was dedicated to the City on October 31, 1925. The land was gifted to the City by a non-profit citizen group who raised funds and purchased the land “to promote physical education and athletic exercise".

This submittal proposes a complete renovation of Community Field to provide an ADA-accessible multi-generational four season recreation facility offering walking trails, an ice and roller skating path, sledding hills, water spray feature, play structures, picnic facilities, dog park, interpretative signage, seating, parking and small recreational playing field. Once completed it will be the City’s only four season park.

As part of the park renovation project, the City also proposes to daylight 305’ linear feet of Day Brook to eliminate overland flooding during heavy storm events and to create 1400’ linear of new natural stream channels to enhance the natural resources. Day Brook is currently piped from underneath I-91 in a 48” culvert, discharging to a small confluence area before entering a 30” pipe under the wading pool.

The 30” pipe discharges at a headwall on the eastern edge of the park and flows over steep ledge. Eventually, Day Brook re-enters a culvert at Hicks Ave. and enters the CSO system.

In the spring of 2008, after a large storm event, the Day Brook culvert system at Community Field was overwhelmed and flooding caused damage to the park roadway and flooded downstream residential properties. The Conservation Commission has issued an Order of Conditions (DEP File No. 186-0235) approving the park renovation.

Low impact design elements and green technology is integrated into the park design as appropriate. Rain gardens, rain recapture systems and native non-invasive plantings will be used.Community Field is located in the Oakdale neighborhood- a central Holyoke neighborhood.

It isaccessed from Route 202/Cherry Street near I-91 Interchange 16. A gated rear entrance off of Summitt Street is open only during winter months to prevent “cut-through” traffic.

The park is readily accessible for both City residents and those throughout the Pioneer Valley. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA- Red Route 24) provides bus service within a quarter mile of the park entrance.

The park is located within a half mile of two elementary schools, Holyoke High School, and two large subsidized housing projects (Jarvis Heights Apartments and Beaudoin Village). It is readily accessible from I-91. The neighborhood (and much of Holyoke) is Commonwealth of MA designated as an Environmental Justice community.

Community Field serves as the entrance to the historic Scott Tower Park on Crafts’ Hill- a 1940’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) site of stone bridges, walks, and the Scott Tower. Scott Tower is located on the west side of I-91 and is accessed from a gated road at Community Field.

Vehicular access to Scott Tower is prohibited. Scott Tower is not the subject of this application. However, it is the City’s hope that with the revitalization of Community Field, Scott Tower could once again become a jewel amenity.

Community Field is currently in poor to fair condition and provides no ADA-accessible activities. The last large scale park renovation occurred here in the early 1970’s. Vestiges of the 1970’s renovations can still be found- an unusable basketball court, shuffle board courts in disrepair, and a non-functioning wading pool.

In the 1980’s, a community group installed the Kelly Constant Memorial Playground. The playground was removed in 2007 due to safety concerns. A few picnic tables and the overgrown sledding hills remain. Poor drainage and stormwater

management from I-91 runoff and Day Brook have result in saturated soil conditions (unusable fields) and park flooding.

Severe storm damage in 2008 further degraded the park. The park has suffered a circular decline- as fewer and fewer positive activities were available, more and

more inappropriate and/or criminal uses developed which drove out positive uses and visitors.

The current dominant use is daytime walking and dog walking. Loved and enjoyed by generations of Holyokers, the community is fully supportive of the

renovation of Community Field. Community support is evidenced by the 2005 Open Space and Recreation Plan and Community Field-specific planning meetings.

In 2007, a group of constituents led by City Councilor Todd McGee spearheaded an effort to revitalize Community Field. Community Field is noted throughout the 2005 City of Holyoke Open Space and Recreation Plan (2005 OSP) as being in need of renovation/repair.

The 2005 OSP Survey results noted that of the top ten goals, rehabilitation on existing parks was highly favored over development of new parks. Community Field is specifically mentioned in the Five Year Action Plan as the subject of action items including removal of the play structure, renovation of the spray pad, repair of gates,

and overall reconstruction.

This proposal and the findings of the 2005 OSP are consistent with the Massachusetts Outdoors 2006 (SCORP) in that 92.8% of respondents in the CT Valley indicated new funding initiatives should focus on restoring and improving existing recreational areas. CT Valley respondents also placed the highest priority on walking (13.9%) and playground (11.3%).

The Parks and Recreation Department began the Community Field renovation public process in early 2008 with a Request for Proposals for redesign of the park. Public meetings were held on October 14, 2008, December 13, 2008, and February 10, 2009 at Holyoke High School. Gale Associates Inc. completed a Redevelopment Master Plan based upon community input in April 2009. An on-site public meeting was held on June 7, 2009 to discuss preliminary plans.

During the planning process, a Community Field Redevelopment Plan Survey was issued to the community. Of respondents to the question “Should Community Field be redeveloped?”, 93% indicated “yes”.

The renovation of Community Field is consistent with several local initiatives including the 2010 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update and those of the Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council (HFFPC). The HFFPC is actively promoting healthy living though obesity education and encouraging the community to take advantage of local recreational opportunities.

Park visitation will also be enhanced by the on-site presence of environmental resources including Day Brook and four wetland systems. The area is not mapped as having any threatened or endangered species (upland/wetland/plant/animal) nor is it within FEMAmapped flood plain (Zone C) or listed as a DEP Waste Site.

VHB, Inc. has submitted an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation to the City of Holyoke Conservation Commission and DEP for confirmation of the wetland boundaries. Low impact design elements and green technology is integrated into the park design as appropriate. Rain gardens, rain recapture systems and native non-invasive plantings will be used.

The City of Holyoke proposes this comprehensive renovation of Community Field to address those issues which caused the park to fall into disrepair. With this comprehensive approach and broad community support, Community Field will once again be a local and regional destination offering the City’s only ADA-accessible multi-generational four season recreational opportunities.

No practicable alternatives to the proposed project and design exist (§55.20(c)(1)). In order to correct the substandard drainage and stormwater management system, work in wetlands must occur. No actual development such as hard park amenities (playscapes, etc.) is proposed with wetland areas.

Work in wetland areas is solely proposed to address historic flooding and property damage. The only viable alternative is no redevelopment of the park as it would be fiscally imprudent to fund park renovations without addressing the flooding issues. (§55.20(c)(2))

In addition to concerns for life and property, the city considered the natural and values of the wetlands. The natural resources of the wetland include water, biological, recreational and societal resources. The wetlands will be enhanced with new native non-invasive plantings and improved stormwater quality.

The City of Holyoke Conservation Commission and the MA DEP by issuance of the Order of Conditions DEP No. 186-235 have determined that the construction of the buildings will have no quantifiable impact on plant and animal life. The Order of Conditions is final; no appeals were filed.

The site is not within Priority Habitat for rare plants or wildlife or Estimated Habitat ofRare Wetlands Wildlife. The Massachusetts Historical Commission determined that the projectis unlikely to affect significant historic or archeological resources. (§55.20(d)) (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT)

Community Field is closed for renovations. Once completed it will be Holyoke's only four season park.

Heavy duty tree cutting equipment being used in the renovation of Community Field.

This wooded area on the east side of the field is being renovated for a Dog Park.

The Community Field wading/spray pool provided hours of fun for children on hot summer days. The renovation of the field includes restoration of the spray pool.

The parking lot between the old wading pool and the Ralph Sacks Recreation Area. In recent years this area had become the site of illegal activity.

Looking northward, a pathway is all that remains of the Wooden Playground in the Ralph Sacks Recreation Area. The playground was removed in 2007 due to safety and health concerns. Plans for this area include a new Warming House and ice and roller skating paths including play structures.

Mt. Tom Tea Pavilion: Now

2010-04-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

Here's what remains of the Tea Pavilion which was located on the east side of Mt. Tom below the Summit House (see previous post for pictures of the pavilion in the 1900s)

This concrete slab is all that remains of the pavilion, this view is to the north.

And a view to the south.

Bill was here!!!

Another view facing south, at this angle you can get an idea of how thick the concrete floor was.

Mt.Tom Tea Pavilion: Then...

2010-04-02T13:20:00.001-07:00

The Tea Pavilion was located on the East side of Mt. Tom, just below the Summit House.

The pavilion offered spectacular views to the east and southeast.

The Tea Pavilion was used mostly as a social gathering spot by the women visitors to the summit.

A group of ladies socializing at the Mt. Tom Tea Pavilion. The views from the mountain were spectacular in the early 1900s due to the deforestation of the summit by the previous owner, a Mr. Fairfield who owned a lumber company in Westfield. He sold the mountain top and surrounding area to William Stiles Loomis in the late 1890s.

The north end of the pavilion with the Whiting Street Reservoir and Connecticut River in the background.

Another view from the summit's south slope.

Mt.Tom Summit At Sunset

2010-04-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

I recently made my way up to the Mt.Tom Summit to take some photos of the beautiful sunset on St. Patrick's Day, i guess it's becoming an annual event for me to be on the mountain on this day, last year i did a hike with Glenn Sullivan on St. Patrick's Day which covered the Bray Loop, Kay Bee, D.O.C. and MM trails.

I started out by taking the path across from Mt. Joe's Coffee kiosk on Rt 141 which leads to the "Electric Pole" trail, i took this trail up to where the trail intersects with the MM trail and followed the MM to the old Summit House walkway.

The walkway is actually part of the MM trail, though i believe the owners of the communication complex atop the summit are trying to re-route the trail to an area below the current walk way, this is because the land close to the path is being developed for more communication buildings and equipment. Another reason for re-routing is because the walkway which was built in the late 1890s is becoming very dangerous to cross in certain areas.

The old stairway that takes you to the long gone Mt. Tom Summit House. the original foundation which was built in 1897 is still standing and is still part of the structure that makes up the communication building complex.

You can still walk in the footsteps of President McKinley and William Stiles Loomis.

Looking southeast approaching the stairway, if you look close you can see Hartford, Connecticut on the horizon.

Further on the walkway looking southwest.

To the northwest.

Various stages of the setting sun. It doesn't get any better or beautiful than this.

The Moving Of The Mountain Park Pavilion

2010-02-18T14:57:00.000-08:00

The Mt. Park Pavilion has been moved from it's location in the north end of the park to an area on the old Midway. The pavilion was originally erected in the early seventies following a gas explosion that leveled the Stardust Ballroom and Tap Room during Holyoke High School's prom in June of 1971. The Ballroom and Tap Room were never rebuilt. The pavilion is all that's left of the original Mountain Park which closed in the fall of 1987. The reason for the pavilion's move is to make way for the stage area of the Mountain Park Amphitheater which will be opening for it's first full season this summer.

The pavilion was moved from this location in the north end of the park to make way for the stage area of the Mountain Park Amphitheater.

Workers assemble the Mountain Park Pavilion at it's new location on the former Midway.

This photo was taken in the winter of 2007 from the rail bed of the former Mt. Park Zephyr which ran around the perimeter of the old miniature golf course.

The pavilion as seen in the summer of 2008.

A Few More Windmill Pics From Cy

2009-09-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Leonard

On Friday night and Saturday I was out and about and I took some pictures for you.

Picture one and two were taken at Boyndie old aerodrome Friday evening. The windmills operate at nearly at sea level. These windmills are 15 minutes from my home. Picture one shows the seven windmills from a distance and picture two shows a single windmill at sunset with the cattle being totally unaffected by its presence.

I travelled to Aberdeen yesterday, one and a half hour drive, (to pick up my German niece, who is staying with us this weekend). Pictures three, four show a similar windmill layout proposed for Mt Tom ridge,. They were photographed on my southward trip. Picture five and six are of the same windmills on my northern return trip. This hill ridge is at the highest point of Banffshire, The Braes of Foundland.

All of the windmills (and there are more) are in agreed designated sites and by and large are accepted as necessary, however, there is a spot of controversy at the moment regarding a new site, as the power companies want to put some deep in a valley which relies on tourism, on the Whisky Trail.

Regards

Cy Pirie

Mt.Tom In The Near Future?

2009-09-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

An excerpt of a recent e-mail from my dear friend Cy in Moray, Scotland.

The pictures give us a glimpse of what Mt.Tom may look like in the future.

" Hi Leonard

Kath and I are back from our holiday in the English Lakes/Scottish Borders. I thought of you as I drove northwards through a valley and stopped the car to take the attached pics. The windmills are on an isolated hillside near Kendal in England. They show the type of windmill favoured by the Power Companies in this country to generate electricity which is added to the National Grid. I walked from the car and struck up a conversation with a man who had parked his camper van and who was drying his sodden walking gear. We commented on the silence of the wilderness all around us. The windmills were eerily quiet and to be frank were strangely beautiful. I thought you might be interested in them, as something along similar lines is proposed for your Mt Tom? "

Birds Of Prey Exhibition At Mt.Tom State Reservation

2009-09-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Elder Field at the Mt. Tom State Reservation was the site of a Birds Of Prey exhibition by Tom Ricardi who has had a lifetime career in wildlife law enforcement and education and a vocation helping injured raptors recover, return to the wild, or live out their lives in comfort in captivity.

Ricardi, who retired from the Massachusetts Department Of Fish and Wildlife in 2001,

operates the non-profit Massachusetts Birds Of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway Ma., where he cares for more than a dozen varieties of raptors, including owls, hawks, and falcons, and breeding bald eagles in captivity so their chicks can be released into the wild.

Here are a few varieties of birds and owls on display Sunday:

Peregrine Falcon

Barn Owl

Turkey Vulture

Golden Eagle

Ricardi does most of the work himself, feeding, cleaning cages, collecting sticks for the birds to build nests, and bringing birds to local schools for educational talks.

"There are a lot of rules and regulations, and it is quite a bit of work, but I love it," Ricardi says. "The best thing is, when I go to a school, I usually get letters back from the kids. That's exciting, especially when I go to a school in a big city. A lot of the kids have never been in contact with wildlife at all, let alone a bald eagle. I love to share this with the kids."

Holyoke's Gas & Electric's Plan To Install Wind Turbines Along The Mt.Tom Range.

2009-08-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

Area where the HG&E plans to install wind towers

(From The Daily Hampshire Gazette by Dan Crowley)

THE ISSUE: Holyoke's Gas & Electric's plan to install wind turbines along the Mt. Tom Range.

The project was made public in March when the municipally owned utility

bought 207 acres of land on the Holyoke side of the range. The project comes amid calls from the state and Washington to expand renewable energy generation. The effort is backed by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, a state entity charged with promoting the development of renewable energy. Will it fly?

STORY SO FAR: HG&E acquired the mountainside property for a reported $1.9 million from Springfield Towers LLC, a company owned by John Gormally Jr. of Gormally Broadcasting LLC, which owns ABC affiliate WGGB Channel 40.

The land extends along the eastern slope of Mt. Tom on the Holyoke side, which includes a piece of an historic trail.

Of the 207 acres, 200 are being protected. The utility plans to install wind towers along the ridge line, which borders and is visible from Easthampton and beyond. But Holyoke Gas & Electric must determine whether wind power is feasible on the mountain. Some environmentalists have raised concerns about the project, including it's impact on rare plant and animal species. If wind power is feasible, the utility's preliminary plans call for installing four wind turbines along the ridge, according to James M. Lavalle, the general manager. If the project does not unfold, the state has agreed to reimburse the utility for a significant share of it's purchase price of the land.

WHAT'S HAPPENING: Holyoke Gas & Electric is conducting environmental assessments of the mountainside property it acquired, including a survey of rare animal and plant species and work to outline wetlands. This work will continue through the fall, when the company will compile its data for state regulators to review, and eventually apply for various permits. At the same time, the company is determining how it would get wind turbines to the ridge without disturbing the environment, It also plans to take more in-depth measurements on the quality and characteristics of the wind on Mt. Tom.

FINE PRINT: Right now, the utility is looking at installing four towers that would produce 1.65 megawatts per tower, according to the company. Those towers could be as high as 70 meters or 210 feet and cost more than $20 million, based on today's estimates for such technology and the energy they are designed to produce. However, the design of turbines for Mt. Tom will greatly depend on the wind data compiled by the company.

VERBATIM: "Generally, the thought is, if turbines are going up, they're going up on the ridge," said James M. Lavalle, general manager of the Holyoke Gas & Electric. "Right now, we're really focused on the environmental studies. We have to be conscious of any disturbance that may be made trying to get equipment up to the top. That's part of the review here".

WHAT'S AHEAD: Later this year, when Holyoke Gas & Electric and state regulators have a better grasp of the environmental issues involved with harnessing wind power on Mt. Tom, the utility plans to conduct further wind studies on the mountain and fine tune its wind data, according to Lavalle. The environmental studies are expected to play a key role in determining what path the utility takes regarding permitting.

Latest Preparations For The Opening Of The Mountain Park Amphitheater

2009-07-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

There's been lots of activity at Mountain Park the past few days as the park is set to open in August for outdoor concerts.

I recently spoke to workers on the grounds and rumor has it

that in addition to the scheduled August 16th performance of The Decemberists, there's been talk

of a free festival to kick off the opening on the grounds of what will be the Mountain Park Amphitheater.

The free festival will include five local bands, the exact date has not been announced, but the concert will probably be a test run for the the Decemberists show on August 16th.

Gas & Electric crews have been busy activating the electric lines that will power the stage and musicians area, they have also been busy cutting off the old circuits that powered the former midway. The original power source is the grid located on the Ski Area Road that also powers the Ski Area and feeds electricity to the Mt. Tom summit radio antenna complex.

The G&E has also been busy digging a trench near the old pavilion area to lay electrical wire and piping plus a transformer that will replace the overhead electrical transformer.

Meanwhile crews have been cleaning up the old midway area, where they are using a crushing machine to grind all the concrete that were once sidewalks, golf course, and foundations of the old Mountain Park.

Also, the old picnic grove and parking area is taking shape, the grounds have been recently cut of weeds and debris and a temporary fence has been added, this area looks beautiful!!!

Picnic And Parking Areas Looking Good!!!

Clean Up Of Concrete Debris On The Former Midway

Activating and Deactivating existing lines Midway Area

Electrical Work Around The Old Pavilion And Trolley Road Area

More Vandalism At The Mt.Tom Ski Area

2009-06-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

Vandals have struck again at the former Mt. Tom Ski Area, this time burning down one of the small ski huts that was located on top of the mountain near the Tote Road hiking trail.

All that remains is the electrical boxes and switches and some wiring.

The fire also scorched some of the surrounding area, luckily no further damage occurred.

Vandalism has been a problem lately at the former ski area, back in March a fire damaged the old Ski Patrol building at the base of the mountain.

This photo shows the size of the area damaged by the fire.

The fire also burnt a 20 foot patch of land east of the hut.

Electrical boxes and switches lie among the charred remains of the hut.

The knoll where the hut once stood.

Here's a picture that was taken last year of the ski hut located near the old Upper Vista ski trail

on top of the mountain off of the Tote Road hiking trail. The hut burnt to the ground this past week.

Mount Beacon - Beacon, New York

2009-05-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of my trip to Mt. Beacon in Beacon, New York.

I left Holyoke at 6:40 a.m. and arrived at Mount Beacon Park at 9:05 a.m.

To get there i traveled I 91 south to Hartford, Ct. then headed west on I 84 through Connecticut then into New York to exit 11, then headed south on NY Rt 9D to Beacon.

I was about an hour early for the hike so i headed to the Incline Railroad Lower Station area and took some pictures (these photos can be seen in the previous post) i then headed back to the parking area and waited for the hiking group to arrive.

About 9;30 the hikers were beginning to arrive, and a few of the guides for the hike arrived and introduced themselves, me being bad with names, forgot theirs within minutes, anyway, they had some interesting stories to tell not only about the Mountain, but the city of Beacon itself (i didn't know it but their most famous resident is Pete Seeger!).

One of the guides, (and yes, i can't remember his name) had recently returned to Beacon from California and was a cameraman in the film industry, and had also worked for ESPN, he talked

to me about someone who had compiled quite a collection of 16mm film footage on the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway that he was looking to transfer digitally to create a documentary on the Incline Railway, i told him that would be a great way to finance the restoration project, and being a history nut of the inclines, would love someday to see that footage.

I told him about our Mt. Tom Railroad history and how i wished we had film footage of the railway operating during it's heyday. As i was speaking of Mt. Tom, a hiker from Valley Stream, New York came up to me and told me he had visited the Mt. Tom Range a few times but wasn't aware of it's railroad history, (at this point i wish i had Bob Schwobe with me) and i explained that we actually had history of three inclines on the mountain.

As for the hike up the mountain, i felt very confident that i could possibly out-hike these people up their mountain, i figured what the heck, this is only 300ft. higher than Mt. Tom, and i've done the Roaring Brook Trail at Mt. Greylock which is around 2600ft. This would be no problem. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! I should have known better when i read that their incline railway had an average grade of 65%.

Though the hike was challenging, it was very rewarding,

the views and vistas from both peaks were breathtaking, these pictures don't do them justice,

I came here to learn a little about the history of the Beacon Incline Railway, and came away with much more. If you can find the time, please visit, it will be worth your while.

Daughters Of The American Revolution

The two Mt. Beacon peaks provided a key vantage point over West Point and the Hudson River,

lending it historic roles in the American Revolution.

Signal fires on the mountain gave both it and the city their name. In 1901 the local chapter of the Daughters Of The American Revolution erected this monument at the site of the original signal fire near the summit of North Beacon Peak.

A plaque commemorating the rededication of the memorial on it's centennial July 4, 2000.

Repair/Rebuilt plaque.

Here's the main T.V. transmission complex, next to the D.A.R. I asked Roberta if the building on the right was once a private home, but she said it was always part of the T.V. property.

One last look at the tower before heading to the D.A.R. monument.

Mt. Beacon South Peak

Another spectacular view of the Newburgh Bridge looking northwest.

I asked Roberta about this peninsula and she said it was once an island but had been filled to join the shoreline, i also forgot the name of it, but it's located in Fishkill, New York just south of Beacon.

This picture is interesting because before i took it, i looked through my binoculars and to the right of the Hudson River in the middle of the picture, i could make out the New York City skyline through the haze. On clearer days you can see the skyline perfectly, which is 59 miles south of Beacon. Helen joked how people from New York City refer to Beacon as "Upstate New York"

These are the main T.V. towers just southwest of the Northern summit.

Looking Northeast from near the Fire Tower.

The Fire Tower

The Fire Tower was built in 1931 on the site of an earlier, possibly wooden structure and was used by the State of New York to spot to spot fires for five decades. The tower stands on Mt. Beacon's south summit. The tower stands 60 feet high and given the summit's elevation of 1650 ft., must boast spectacular views of the Hudson River Valley. Unfortunately, the tower is closed due to restoration, for more info, here's a link:

http://www.beaconfiretower.org/index.htm

Fire Tower Here We Come!

When the hiking party broke up at the north summit, this group embarked on an eight mile hike of the Fishkill Ridge, but somehow got sidetracked after two miles. here they are getting directions from Roberta.

This flower seemed out of place in a sea of rock. Does anyone know what it could be?

Tanya probably joking to Roberta "you're too slow...hurry up!" Roberta kept telling everyone that she was too slow, but i don't know... she was always right there, with the rest of the pack.

The last leg of the trail to the tower was made up of glacier rock, in fact the south summit was just that.

The Road To The Tower

The boundary of the Hudson Highlands State Park where the Fire Tower is located.

This area reminded me of the Quarry Trail.

The road leading to the Fire Tower at the outer edges of Fishkill Ridge.

Where Have I Seen This Before?

Mountain Park junkyard immediately came to mind.

Now i was confused, how in the world did these cars get here? Late model ones too!!!

Well the mountain has it's share of T.V. and radio towers and there is a road that is used to maintain the transmitters and buildings. (There is also a road that leads to Beacon Reservoir, another area i wished i could have visited, Jim told me of an interesting tale of what happened there a while back, but it was getting late and the party was tired, perhaps on another visit.) I was told the cars didn't get up there on their own, but were towed up there by heavy duty tow trucks.

The road to the Fire Tower passes the old cottages that were in use when the hotel and casino

were operating in the summit's heyday. Roberta told me that one of them was still standing, a sort of Victorian styled cottage. On our way back we were going to visit the cottage, but the girls were kind of tired (my legs at that point were heavy as lead too). The next time i visit, i'll make it a point to check it out.

On To The Fire Tower

The Fire Tower located on the South summit of Mt. Beacon.

The hike to the north summit was where the original hike was to end, but i overheard that Roberta, the gal on the left, was taking Helen, Pat and Tanya to the South summit for a view of the Fire Tower. I figured i came a long way, so why not make it worthwhile. Roberta by the way has lived in Beacon since the late sixties, and hikes the mountain frequently, she told me she hikes the trails alone, which she says is a little unnerving at times (geez, i wish i lived closer, she would make a great hiking companion) she had a lot of interesting information to share, i thought she was a guide, but she's just another hiker, who happens to know the Beacon like the back of her hand!!! Thanks for a wonderful hike Roberta.

Another beautiful view looking south-west from the casino ruins.

Mt. Beacon North Peak

A view of the Hudson River Valley Northward.

These hikers are enjoying the view near the site where the Casino once stood. Those bikers had to come up the maintenance roads.

The city on the other side of the river is Newburgh, New York. That's the Newburgh Bridge Interstate I 84 looking west.

A view of Beacon, New York. The mountain range way in the background are the Catskills.

We're Here!!!

Helen and Pat getting ready to take a break, don't that walkway remind you of Mt. Tom?
This was the hiking party that was behind me.
The Power House is the first thing you see before reaching the north summit.

Almost To The Top

Like i said before, these pictures though beautiful, don't do this place justice.

Now they wait for me!

The trail at this point is steep and rocky

Three Quarters Up

When i saw this view, it reminded me of Quabbin.

This guy who was with the party that was about ten minutes behind me came out of nowhere to over take me. See you at the summit.

Indeed!

Come On The Rising Wind, We're Going Up Around The Bend

Where did they go? Huffa Puffa...

The only reason i got in shouting distance to them was because while i was huffing and puffing

they took a break!

This is where the trail starts to gets challenging.

The Ski Area

The ski area cuts across the Red Trail at almost the half-way point, there are several trails that branch out, i don't think the concrete foundations were for the chairlift, i was told that the skiers actually used the incline bed for a chairlift, so these could have been for lights or a second lift, i should have asked some more questions, but by this time the guide was no where in sight.

About A Quarter Of The Way

At this point the guide felt sorry for me, i had been about 200 feet ahead of the lady to his left, but after a huff and puff episode she overtook me.

Hey! Wait for me!

The trail now ascends in a zig-zag stairway climb to the abandoned ski area trails (sound familiar)

First Views Of The Hudson River Valley

After climbing the stairway, you get your first views of the Hudson River Valley.

Stairway To Beacon

This picture, as you can see in the background, gives you a good idea of the railway grade.

I was told that the stairs had to be constructed twice, the first time they used concrete, but they began to crumble after a short time and were replaced by steel.

That's Tanya and her dog Finora leading the way (i'm sure i have the dog's name wrong, anyway Finora loves turkey & cheese sandwiches, i shared mine with her) Tanya lives in Manhattan and is originally from Spain, she told me Mount Beacon is her escape from New York City madness.

This is the 300 ft. stairway that's the start of the Red Trail. This stairway was built over very steep and rocky terrain, to the right of the stairway is where the incline railway started it's steep ascent to the summit.

It is also the closest the Red Trail comes to the incline bed until you get to the Power House on the summit. (The Red Trail loops around the incline rail bed unlike Mt. Tom's incline bed which is it's trail, i asked Jim Bopp if many people take the "short cut" up the incline bed instead of the Red Trail, he looked at me with this grin on his face. Then i remembered the average grade of 65% and the 74% grade the last 800 ft. of the incline, some "short cut")

There is a road further up the Red Trail that appears to be a dead end, when i asked Jim about this he said it lead to an area where there was debris of the two cable cars that were destroyed in the fire of 1983.

Pathway To The Red Trail

A few hikers begin their journey, the guy in the black shirt was a guide, as you can see i started out with him around the same time, but after about ten minutes of hiking, i wouldn't see him again till i got to the summit about 50 minutes later. I did manage to see him ahead of me throughout the hike to the summit, but i had to stop every once in a while to huff & puff, so i never could catch up.

The two girls were Pat and Helen, Pat was from Boston and Helen lived in town though she had lived in Somerville Ma. Helen asked me if i was the guy who owned the red truck with the Patriots stickers, i replied yes, am i going to be shot? (thinking she was a Giants or Jets fan)

she said she hated the Giants, was a Buffalo Bills fan. What a relief!!!

The bridges cross a brook and are actually an optional route (short cut) to get to the Red Trail.

The trolley rode to Lower station and the beginning of the Red Trail.

The entrance to the old trolley road to Lower Station and the pathway to the Red Trail.

Hey!!! I Remembered His Name!!!

Pictured is Jim Bopp. Jim is a trustee of the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society

and is also the Property Manager of the Mountain. He also holds the distinction of being the last man to operate the Incline Railway in 1978. He's looking forward to operating the railway once again when it's restored. A big thanks to Jim for sharing his expert knowledge of the railway.

Mt. Beacon Park Entrance

The kiosks had some interesting information on the history of the mountain and railway,

click on the photos for a better look.

The Mt. Beacon Incline Railway

2009-05-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

The Billy Goat was on the road recently to Mt. Beacon Park in Beacon, New York to visit it's twin peaks and it's Incline Railway. I discovered the history of Mt. Beacon and it's railway while doing research on our own Mt. Tom Railroad.

The day of my visit happened to be the hike to commemorate the 107th anniversary of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway. The Incline Railway opened on May, 30 1902, and on it's first day sold 1,400 fares, all told 60,000 people rode the incline during it's first season in 1902.

The railway ran from 1902 to 1978 and was engineered by the Otis Elevator Company and built

by several subcontractors including Mohawk Construction Company of Mohawk, New York and

Ramapo Iron Works of Hilburn, New York who built the railway cars.

The railway was very similar to our Mt. Tom incline railway with two cars operating on a single track with a turnout to allow the two cars to pass each other at the midway point.

The biggest difference between the two incline railways were their grades in steepness, while Mt Tom's grade was around 21 percent, the Mt. Beacon grade had an average grade of 65 percent with the last 800 feet being a whopping 74 percent making it at the time the steepest incline railway in the world.

After the railway closed in 1978, it secured it's upper and lower stations and parked it's two cars at mid-track to discourage vandalism and awaited better times, but in 1983 fire engulfed the entire railway, destroying the track, it's two cars, the lower station and upper power house building, it seemed like the end for the railway, but in 1996 the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society was formed with the purpose of reconstructing the railway.

Please visit their link for more info on their goals and a complete history of the railway:

http://www.inclinerailway.org/society.htm

The Beaconcrest Hotel

In addition to the hotel and casino, there were also a few private cottages on top of the summit,

most of them are just piles of debris now, though i was told one still stands, unfortunately i wasn't able to get a picture.

The foundation walls to the hotel are still in great shape!!!

The entrance way to the Hotel Beaconcrest

The Casino

In addition to the beautiful views of the Hudson River valley, the summit also had a hotel and casino. Both met the same fate as the Mt. Tom Summit House when they both were destroyed by fire in October of 1927. Both were rebuilt but met the same fate once again. Here is what remains of the hotel and casino.

The Power House

One of the pullies that drove the cable cars.

The electric motor that powered the Incline Railway.

A few pictures of the Power House remains.

The roadway leading to the hotel and casino.

The passengers would then climb these stairs to a short roadway leading to the hotel and casino which were located on the summit.

Here are a few pictures of the Power House at the top of the incline, in the background is where

the tressel would have been to unload passengers to the Mt. Beacon summit.

The Lower Station

This is all that remains of the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway Lower Station.

The Incline Railway

Minutes before taking this picture a herd of deer passed by and as usual, didn't have my camera ready.
This road was the original trolley line that originated at the banks of the Hudson river and transported passengers to the Lower Station of the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway.

All that remains of the incline rail heading to the summit of Mount Beacon.

Laying Down The Line. The railway was built by hard men in the dead of winter, requiring every bit of their grit, endurance and ingenuity. When their strength failed, pack mules picked up the slack. (Courtesy Of The Mount Beacon Historical Society)

Incline Opening Day May 30, 1902. On a hot sunny Memorial Day, a large crowd gathered at the foot of the mountain to be part of the grand opening of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway. More than 1,4oo fares were sold that day. All told 60,000 people rode the incline during the first season of 1902. (Courtesy Of The Mount Beacon Historical Society)

Eyrie House Hike

2009-05-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

The Billy Goat recently had the opportunity along with Brian Farrell, Bill Finn and Glenn Sullivan to participate in a very special trail hike to the Eyrie House Ruins and explore many of it's landmarks. Our guide for this hike was Carl Libucha, who is an expert on the history of the Eyrie House located atop Mt. Nonotuck. The Eyrie House was operated by William Street from 1861 till it's destruction by fire in 1901. Here are a few pictures of some of the landmarks that surround the Eyrie House Ruins. Thank you Carl for taking the time to share your expert knowledge on the Eyrie House history.

Carl, Bill, Brian and Glenn at Point Lookout overlooking the Oxbow. This area was a favorite spot for Eyrie House patrons.

These two pictures show the original entrance road in Mount Tom Junction to the Mt. Tom State Reservation, this road was once connected to Upper Flats Road and was closed in the mid 1940s.

Carriage Road leading to horse stables and pathway to Eyrie House.

This is the spot where William Street cremated his horses on April 13, 1901, the pyre after burning out supposedly rekindled destroying first the pavilion then spreading up the mountain destroying the Eyrie House as well.

These are the remains of the Pavilion and Stable that were located east of where the Eyrie House stood.

The Eyrie House dam was located on the eastern side of Mt. Nonotuck and supplied water for the Eyrie House, in the picture you can see the spillway that's located in the center of the dam.

Water was transported up the mountain to the Eyrie House by water cans mounted on a horse.

Glenn Sullivan walking the length of the Eyrie House dam.

This is one of three bolts that remain where the Eyrie House lookout tower stood.

All that remains of the tower are these bolts that secured it, notice the nails and lead that was

poured into the rock.

Here is where the viewing tower which was built in 1879 was located, it is located on the east

side of Mt. Nonotuck. Years ago this was a great place to view the Connecticut River, but it is very difficult to get a good view now due to the absence of the tower and tree/leaf cover, in the winter you can get a good view of the river and the Mt. Tom Power Plant from here.

Here we can see the stone bed for the incline railway about half way up the side of the mountain, it would eventually go through a rock cut then pass over a 100 foot tressel into the new hotel.

Here is the beginning of the rock bed for the incline railway that was to connect to the new Eyrie House hotel on Mt. Nonotuck.

Here is the beginning of the incline railroad bed that's starts on the north eastern side of Mt. Nonotuck in Mt. Tom Junction and runs along the western slope. The incline railway when completed would have transported people to the new hotel that was to replace the Eyrie House in the early 1900s, construction began on the new hotel in 1893 and the incline railway construction began around this time, but when the Eyrie House burnt to the ground in 1901, the new hotel and incline railway were never completed.

This is the spring located next to Street's mountain residence.

The entrance to William Street's mountain residence.

William Street's mountain residence which was built in 1891. This house was located on the western side of Mount Nonotuck, Street would stay here during bad weather after a day's work at the Eyrie House instead of walking home to his home on Northampton Street in Holyoke.

According To News 22, Paraglider Accident Was False Alarm

2009-05-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

Recent pictures of paraglider activity on Mt. Tom

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Reports of an injured paraglider in Holyoke caused a scene a the Mt. Tom reservation. Luckily, it was a false alarm.

Rescue crews descended down the mountainside after they received reports of a downed paraglider around 9 P.M. on Saturday.

The report caused a significant amount of manpower to be deployed for assistance. The Massachusetts State Police air wing was hovering above and the Holyoke fire tactical team searched the ground.

The reported parachute ended up being nothing more than a painted rock.

"We got a call for a possible chute from a hang glider on the side of the mountain," explained William Kane, a deupty chief for the Holyoke Fire Department. "We responded with units and used tactical units with rope rescue to the top of the mountain with aid of state police we discovered it was graffiti, a rock painted pink."

While it took a lot of manpower and money for the search, Deputy fire Chief Kane told 22News he's happy no one was actually hurt.

The Site Of Lower Station Today

2009-04-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of where Lower Station was located, the site is now the abandoned Mt. Tom Ski Area which is owned by the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club which plan on building a camp site there by 2012. After the demise of the Mt. Tom Railroad in the late 1930s, Lower Station was demolished.

Looking south on the former trolley line toward Mountain Park.

This is about where the loading platform was located.

Part of the incline railway bed looking east toward the Lower Station site.

Looking north towards the old Northampton trolley barn and the Mt. Tom Quarry.

The incline railway bed and car barn area.

You can see the incline railway bed through the trees, the railway along with the third summit house was sold for scrap in the early forties, the road is now used by WGGB for it's transmitters on top of the mountain.

Lower Station- The Trolley Road Today

2009-04-29T16:06:00.001-07:00

Here is the rock cut just before Lower Station, notice the road is much wider due to the blasting of the basalt ledges of Little Mount Tom on the opposite side which was part of the construction for the Ski Area Road, also notice the Whiting Street Reservoir cannot be seen due to the tree growth.

The rock wall bed which supported the original trolley line is still visible, the road was buried during the constuction of the Ski Area Road.

The rock bed from a different angle.

The start of the trolley bed north of the Mt. Park pavilion.

Mt.Tom Railroad - A Ride To Lower Station

2009-04-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

The trolley line from Mt. Park to Lower Station originated at the pavillion at Mt. Park, notice the beautiful view of the Whiting Street Reservoir in the background. The rock cut was widened in the early sixties for the road to the Mt. Tom Ski Area.

Trolley cars arriving at Lower Station from Mountain Park, as one can see in the peak years of operation in the early 1900s, there were several cars that travelled between Mt. Park and Lower Station to bring passengers to and fro.

By the end of the trolley line in the 1930s, the so-called "One Man Band" operation was installed where one operator would take the Highlands-Mt. Park trolley from downtown to Mt. Park, then he would leave that trolley unattended and board the trolley to Lower Station, he would then leave that trolley unattended to operate either the Elizur Holyoke or the Rowland Thomas to the Summit House atop Mt. Tom.

On his way up the incline railway, he would pass his "opposite" who was on his way to drop off passengers at Mt. Park and to pick up passengers downtown, once atop the summit he would wait for his "opposite to make the return trip (which was around 30 minutes) and to start the cycle all over again.

Here's a picture of Lower Station from the early 1900s, pictured is one of the trolley operators

and (maybe) his gal, (if anyone has any info on the two people pictured, please let me know)

The picture looks as though it was taken early in the morning before the start of another day of the Mt. Tom Railroad transporting people to the Mt. Tom Summit House. If one looks closely one can see either the Elizur Holyoke or the Rowland Thomas cable cars in the car barn. (photo from the Robert Schwobe Collection)

More Memories Of The Mt. Tom Ski Area

2009-04-22T06:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some more wonderful memories of the Mt. Tom Ski Area.

Pictured are the news tabloids which were actually promo brochures cleverly named Mt. Tom Ski Chatter that the ski area published "occasionally" and show what was happening on the mountain during the 1966 & 1967 seasons.

A special thank you once again to CB for sharing these memories with us.

1966:

1967:

A Visit To The Mountain Park Junk Yard

2009-04-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures and a video link of the Mountain Park Junk Yard which is located in the woods between Route 91 and Route 5 north of Cedar Knob.

Mountain Park used this site up until the late fifties when construction of Route 91 cut this area off from the rest of the park. So the the junked cars and trucks are isolated to rust away.

In addition to the junked autos, there are all kinds of discarded items ranging from bottles to light bulbs to paint cans and machinery.

Between this area and Route 91 was the rail bed for the trolley line service that ran from Mountain Park thru Smith's Ferry onto Northampton.

The beginning of this rail bed ran from what is now the road that runs by the large boulder east of the blue pavilion and used to cross over the current ski area road near the old ski area kiosk style sign (the one that is now painted brown), the rail bed continued across what is now Route 91 and headed north to Northampton.

The best way to visit the junk yard is to park at the Dinosaur Footprints parking area on Route 5, from there cross to the west side of Route 5 and walk north a few hundred feet till you see the brook on your left (it's behind the guard rail), enter the woods to the right side of the brook and travel west through the woods, the junk yard is a few yards from Route 91. (A special thank you to local historian Robert Schwobe for his input to this post)

To view the video of the Billy Goat's recent visit to the Mt. Park Junk Yard, click on link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zJR_Ec7Ilk

The door reads "Mountain Park Holyoke, Mass."
A fuel efficient no cylinder!!!
Is it my imagination? or is this 1953 Chevrolet smiling for the camera!!!
Rust Never Sleeps!!!
Would you know how to get to Route 91 from here???
After 56 years, the paint job on this 1953 Chevrolet is holding up well!!!
Reverse parking is in effect, park by the even trees of the forest!
Spacious interior!!!
Triple A member in good standing!!!
It's amazing!!! There's still some chrome on this car!!!
I don't think that tire will pass inspection!!!
A 1952 Chevrolet No Back!!!
Peering into the past...
No user serviceable parts inside...

Anyone in the mood for restoring a 1940 Chevrolet truck?
On the outside...
Looking in
There's an oddness to this! Nature and the remnants of man co-existing!
Push It, Pull It, Tow It... PLEASE!!!
Assorted junk!!!
Oil Change?... Are you kidding?
No Deposit, No Return

Beaver Dam At Lake Bray

2009-04-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of the Beaver Dam located on the Lower Level trail behind Lake Bray.

A special thanks to Brian Farrell for his contribution to this post.

The beavers have been quite active recently, especially on the eastern side of Lake Bray where

they have built several canals to haul their building materials to the dam site, their lodge is now located on the east side of the lake on the Inner Loop (yellow) trail.

Among the dam's benefits are reduced stream bank erosion, reduction of sediment in the brooks and streams, development of new wetlands, a better environment for fish and waterfowl, and in the case of Lake Bray, it has deepened the waters of the lake which provides a more stable water supply for wildlife and vegetation.

Spring Has To Be Near!!!

2009-03-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of hiking the Mt. Tom reservation the other day with Glenn Sullivan, starting at Mountain Park and heading north on the Bray Loop trail through Bray valley up to the Keystone trail and finally up the DOC trail to the MM near Whiting Peak.

The trek was a little muddy as the final patches of snow melt, coupled with the overflow of a few brooks, but with the recent mild weather it was an excellent time to hike and take in the scenery.

The reservation crew has been very busy clearing downed trees, especially on the upper DOC trail

where the winter storms have taken their toll on the forest near Whiting Peak.

Here are a few photos from the top of the range near Mt. Minus.

Mt. Tom Quarry Canal

2009-03-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of the canal or duct that was used to divert water from a brook behind and above the Mt. Tom Quarry. Special thanks to local historian Robert Schwobe for making me aware of this canal and it's location.

Notice that the wooden gate (top picture) is positioned in the slots cut in the concrete to prevent the brook from running in a south easterly direction, to the left of this gate was a concrete wall with slots also (bottom picture) where the wooden gate could be placed to divert the water down the concrete canal to the south east.

I'm sure the canal's diversion of water had something to do with the quarry, since it was built

way before the Ski Area, maybe in the spring months it controlled the run-off of the brook so it wouldn't flood the quarry, i will have to ask Mr. Schwobe about this the next time i see him.

To view this "Mt. Tom Marvel" take the Ski Area road to the quarry entrance, to the right of the entrance, take the hiking trail (this trail runs right behind the quarry parking lot) then take the Knox Extension trail (on your left) to the Quarry Trail, when you get to the Quarry Trail take a left, you will see a fence with the quarry trail sign, this is the end of the Quarry Trail, past the fence follow the trail to it's end, you will see a roped off area with danger signs, don't go past the rope but follow the rope up the mountain and you will come to the top of the quarry ledge, right behind the ledge is the canal, (to get a good idea where it is, look at the second picture, in the background you can see the Mt. Tom Ski Area and Little Mount Tom to the southeast).

Tree Damage At B-17 Memorial

2009-03-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

The tree damage at the B-17 Memorial is worse than i previously noted at the Holyoke History Room last week. I was told there were a couple of trees broke at the bottom of the path with one tree laying near the road at the beginning of the memorial path.

On March 14th i was at the Summit Reservoir just south of Dead Top and decided to take a walk down to the memorial via the path from the Pump Station and noticed at least seven Birch trees were broken almost in half, though there was no sign of the broken branches on the ground, i assumed someone had cleaned up the pathway recently and placed some of the broken branches across the trolley road opposite the memorial.

The tree that fell near the road was still there, i believe the damage was caused by the the snow and freezing rain of early February.

The Birch trees were planted at the memorial in honor of the twenty five servicemen who lost their lives in the crash of a converted B-17 transport plane at this site in July of 1946.

Remembering Mt. Tom Ski Area

2009-03-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

After posting pictures and a report of the fire at the Mount Tom ski area last Friday, i've received many e-mails from people who were saddened to hear the news.

Many recalled the happy times they had spent on the mountain it it's hey-day, one of those e-mails was from CB who was very kind to send me some brochures of the ski area from the 1970s, recalling what a beautiful place we once had atop the mountain (please click on the photo for a larger image).

After looking at these brochures, tell me where in Holyoke can you now have that much fun for those prices?... No!!! Mountain Park has been gone for twenty two years!!!

You will also notice the second scan gives a detailed description of the ski area, in the lower left

you can see the former inclined railroad bed that once connected to the Ski Patrol building (14) the sight of Lower Station which was the beginning point of the Mount Tom Railroad.

A couple of questions concerning the last scan, is that Larry Chesky playing the accordion? and who is that pretty girl ?

Thank you CB for giving us a glimpse of what the Ski Area was like once upon a time.

Mt.Tom Ski Area Fire Aftermath.

2009-03-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Here's what the so-called First Aid building looked like about 12 hours after the fire Friday night.

I hope and pray this wasn't the result of an arsonist, but it sure looks that way.

According to news reports, the fire is considered suspicious.

And i hope this isn't a harbinger of what's going to happen up there this summer, Maybe the Boys Club can install some security measures on the property.

I reported yesterday that the building was actually the old ski instructor's building, and i'm sticking to this because the building next to it always had a red cross on it. If anyone has any info and if i'm wrong, please correct me.

UPDATE:

I received an e-mail from Susan concerning which building actually burnt down:

"Leonard, I used to work at Mt Tom many moons ago. The building that was burned was the ski patrol 'shack' on the left side walking up from the lodge side was a newer section and the right side was the older section. The entire building housed the ski patrol. Hope this helps. The ski school building is situated over by the 'Boulevard' chair lift on the opposite side of the base area.

It's sad to see the ski area now, there is such a great legacy of skiers,families and workers that put so much into running Mt Tom when it was a vibrant part of Holyoke."

It was the building i was told that was on the land where Lower Station once stood, this was the depot for the incline railway that once took people to the summit of Mt. Tom.

Fire At The Mt.Tom Ski Area

2009-03-06T20:23:00.000-08:00

There was a fire at the Mt. Tom Ski Area on Friday night March 6th.

The Holyoke Fire Department responded to a call from a hiker before 10 p.m. saying there was a

fire at the Mountain Park area and upon arrival discovered a blaze in one of the buildings at the former Mt. Tom Ski Area.

The Billy Goat arrived at the scene around 10:20 p.m. and took these pictures at which time the fire was under control. The fire was limited to the old ski instructors building which is located not too far from the former Lower Station which was part of the incline railroad to Mt. Tom.

No cause was determined but it looks like it could be a case of arson.

The property has been abandon since the closing of the ski area in 1998, and is now owned by the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club who intend to establish a youth summer camp on the site.

More Ski Area Fire Pics

2009-03-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

Anti-Coal Protest At The Mt. Tom Power Plant

2009-03-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

As a tune-up to the March 2, 2009 Capitol Climate Action in Washington D.C., The Enviro Show & Citizens vs. Coal

staged a protest at the Mt. Tom Power Plant on Sunday March 1st 2009.

According to a press release from organizer Peter Vickery, "the coal burning Mt. Tom power station generates more than one billion tons of CO2 anually... which is reason enough to stage a peaceful protest at the GDF Suez-owned plant".

The release notes,"the lead organizer of the Massachusetts protest is the Massachusetts Coalition for Healthy Communities (MCHC) and the keynote speaker is the Rev.Margaret Bullitt-Jonas." If all goes as planned, The Enviro Show will roll out from there and head south to our nation's capitol.

For more info on the Enviro Show, here's their link: http://envirosho.blogspot.com/

Original Whiting Street Reservoir Road

2009-02-25T14:07:00.001-08:00

(top photo courtesy of the Holyoke History Room)

Pictured is the old Whiting Street Reservoir Road. The original road was located to the right of what is now the entrance to Kenilworth Apartments off of Route 5. and ran across an area that is now Route 91 to what is now Aerator Road leading to the reservoir.

2009-02-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

Pictures On The Way To Mt. Holyoke Summit

2009-02-21T17:33:00.000-08:00

2009-02-21T17:19:00.000-08:00

The road to the summit is closed during the winter months so it's a couple of miles up to the top,

i was going to take the Halfway Trail located near the Halfway Barn at the base of the mountain

but the trail was under a lot of snow, anyway the walk to the summit was a little challenging but very enjoyable.

Mt. Holyoke Summit House Deck

2009-02-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

2009-02-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

Some Views From The Mt. Holyoke Summit

2009-02-21T16:33:00.001-08:00

2009-02-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

Mt. Holyoke Summit

2009-02-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

2009-02-21T15:31:00.000-08:00

The Billy Goat skipped across the Connecticut River recently to take a hike up to Mt. Holyoke located on the Holyoke Range in Hadley.

Here are a few pictures of the Summit House atop Mt. Holyoke. The history of the Summit House goes back to 1821 when it was a guest cabin of 18x 24 ft. eventually becoming a two story eight room hotel by the mid 1800s complete with a tramway that guests took to the summit.

It continued to be a very popular spot up until around the Great Hurricane of 1938 when it suffered extensive damage, (the tram was in use till around 1942 when it broke down and was never repaired despite proposals to do so, it was finally demolished in 1965).

The Summit House was finally restored in the early eighties and now is open for tours and special events during the late spring till early fall.

When one compares the Mt. Holyoke Summit House with the Summit House that was once atop Mt. Tom and the Eyrie House that was atop Mt. Nonotuck, you wouldn't have thought

this one would of outlived the other two, this one didn't have certain logistics the other two had, first of all the Eyrie House was nearer the Connecticut River and had a railroad and main route below it, while the Mt. Tom Summit House had the trolley park and the city of Holyoke nearby, yet this one flourished and still flourishes while the other two are now a memory.

Robert Schwobe

2009-02-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of meeting local historian Bob Schwobe at the entrance gate to Mountain Park

recently.

Bob is an expert on the Mt. Tom Range and Reservation and has several videos available on the web, including a video that covers the history of the range and another that focuses on the Eyrie House, a hotel that was located atop Mt. Nonotuck.

Bob also has a wonderful collection on exhibit at the Mt. Tom State Reservation located at the ranger station which is located off Route 5 in Holyoke.

Thank you Bob for all your hard work in bringing us the unique history of the Mt. Tom Range.

Mater Dolorosa Winter Bazaar

2009-02-14T16:00:00.000-08:00

The Billy Goat came down the mountain on Saturday to enjoy the Mater Dolorosa parish's annual mid-winter bazaar that is being held this Saturday and Sunday Feb. 14 & 15 from 11:00 am till 8:00 pm at the Pope John Paul II Social Center on Kolbe Drive in Holyoke.

Among the festivities were a Tag sale & Bake sale, numerous games of chance and raffles for the adults, and fun times for the children.

The Social Center's kitchen prepared some delicious Polish cuisine including Pierogies, Golumkies, Kielbasa, and Kapusta along with some delicious desserts and beverages.

If you happen to be in the area, drop in for some fine food and fun!!!

Mount Tom Ski Area

2009-02-10T15:28:00.000-08:00

It's been ten years since the Mt. Tom Ski Area has been closed but it's slopes are still very active,

though the area appears to be desolate, take a real good look and you might catch a skier coming down one of the main trails. Here on a recent visit, pictured is a lone skier making his way up

the old Lower Tom Slope (sorry the T-Bar is out of order)

Kenilworth Castle: Today!!!

2009-02-10T14:23:00.000-08:00

In 1971, on the castle grounds were constructed the Kenilworth Castle Hill Apartments.

The operation got of to a very shaky start, and was in serious financial trouble from the outset, originally there was to be 186 units built on the property, but were never realized past the 56 units that are there today.

I've include a few pictures, notice the remains of what's left of the original grounds.

The property is currently owned by real estate developer and area businessman Eric Suher.

I had the pleasure of meeting Eric on the grounds when these pictures were taken, Eric as you may know, also owns the former Mountain Park located just up the road from Kenilworth.

Talking to Mr. Suher, he expressed his desire to re create the atmosphere of the old park,

which, like to many others, was a very special place for him growing up.

While snapping a few pictures, i asked him about his plans for the former amusment park, he told me that it's no secret of his plans to build a music venue on the site, plans that also include rebuilding The Stardust Ballroom which many of you remember as a very popular dance hall of the 50s and 60s, many acts such as the Beach Boys, Yardbirds, and Animals played there at it's height in the mid 1960s before a tragic fire ended it's run in the early 1970s.

As for the recent criticism of his restoration work on the Mountain Park grounds Suher stated

"I had to do what was needed, removal of all debris, and overgrown brush, done properly to restore the area to it's natural beauty"

Asked if the media is treating him unfairly Suher added "Most of the people who are spreading

these rumors don't even know what (the situation there) it's all about... most weren't even around to experience Mountain Park..."

I came away from my conversation with Eric Suher pretty excited about the future of Mt. Park, he was very sincere and honest in his plans to restore the park. I think we have a lot to look forward to.

Kenilworth Castle: Yesterday...

2009-02-10T13:03:00.001-08:00

In 1894 a wealthy Holyoke paper industry mogul named E.C .Taft purchased some farmland off Route 5 and began construction of Kenilworth Castle. Before construction, Taft had a knoll built so the castle could sit high above the surrounding landscapes and structures. Construction was completed in 1895

Taft, who was the founder of the Albion Paper Co. had an exclusive residence in the city of Holyoke on Elm Street in Holyoke and intended Kenilworth as a summer home. The castle had twelve rooms though appeared to be much bigger. Taft was known for his world travel and furnished the castle with many paintings, sculpture and furniture from all around the globe.

In late 1897, Taft decided to sell his Elm Street property and make Kenilworth his permanant residence, but after one week there, Taft died.

In the fall of 1897 his daughter Lucretia moved into the castle with her husband William Flagg

who was the owner of the Holyoke Democratic, a city newspaper. In 1941 William Flagg took his own life following a long illness and Lucretia lived there until her own death in early 1957.

In 1959, the Hadley Falls Trust Co. who was in charge of Mrs. Flagg's estate, sold the property to the Holyoke Water Power Company with hopes of building a power station on the land.

After it was decided too expensive a project, the Water Power decided to move it's offices there, this idea also was scrapped.

So after after a few other proposals including turning the castle into a museum, and after the building's structure was deem unsound, the castle was demolished in December of 1959.

Though the castle is long gone, some of it's artifacts are still around, including a stained glass window and bar at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, a fireplace located at the Log Cabin Restaurant, and a

piano that's now located in San Francisco. For more on this piano check out this link:

http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=4647

And Just A Few More Pics From The Little Mount Tom Summit

2009-01-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

The top photo is a view of the Springfield skyline. Back in the early 1900s, there was a

four story look-out tower atop Little Mount Tom which must of gave spectacular views in all directions.

Now that the DCR has plans to add a few new nature trails in the area, i hope they consider building another tower atop the summit. But that's probably wishful thinking at best.

A Few More Pics Of Little Mount Tom

2009-01-10T17:52:00.000-08:00

I also observed many trees that are marked, i’m not sure if this was part of the recent Mt. Tom orientation tree identification or the markings of the proposed new trails that will be added by the DCR.

The best way to hike Little Mount Tom is to enter the woods past the old Mount Tom Ski Area sign on your right that’s located on the Ski Area Road (this is the sign located on the Ski Area Road that begins to the right of the Mountain Park Entrance past the Route 91 overpass and NOT the sign at the bottom of the Access Road at Rt 5).

Winter Camping On Little Mount Tom? What A Great Idea!!!

2009-01-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

When i reached the summit of Little Mount Tom, i was surprised to see this campsite at the southeast overlook. Someone made a very decent lean-to frame complete with an American flag, they also left a supply of cut wood. Don’t know if they’re returning, so you might have to make your reservation if you plan on using the site, if they’re not, i would think it’s a first come/first use arrangement. Seriously, this would be an excellent place to camp out, though i think the DCR would have something to say about that.

Little Mount Tom

2009-01-10T17:07:00.001-08:00

One of the best places for scenic viewing in the winter months is Little Mount Tom

although only at an elevation of 600 ft., Little Mount Tom boasts some spectacular views of the Connecticut River Valley, Whiting Street Reservoir, the Ski Area, and the old Mountain Park area.

Little Mount Tom was also the only active volcano on the Holyoke Range, with a lava flow that went in a south easterly direction, making for great geological exploration.

In 2002, the Trustees of Reservations, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, The DCR, and the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club joined forces to aquire the land on Little Mount Tom and the surrounding Ski Area land, here’s a link for more info:

http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/331_little_tom_mountain.cfm

Wachusett Reservation & Ski Area

2008-12-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

The Billy Goat was recently out to Wachusett Reservation and Ski Area on Wachusett Mountain in Princeton MA, and it brought to mind what we used to have in our own backyard here at Mt.Tom (though the peace, and serenity on the old ski area trails is a much better alternative).

The reservation consists of 17 miles of trails including 3.9 miles of the Midstate Trail that runs from Ashburnham to the Rhode Island border. The mountain's summit is 2006 ft. giving a spectacular view of the Berkshires to the west and the Boston skyline to the east. also a wonderful view of Mt.Monadnock in New Hampshire.

The ski area at Wachusett has twenty trails, 111 acres of terrain, and a 1000 ft. vertical drop that makes for some exciting skiing, they also have six lifts including two high speed quad chair lifts to get you back up the mountain fast.

Here's a link on the unique snow making pond at the base of the mountain:

http://www.wachusett.com/Portals/0/PDFs/kiosk08_snowmaking_tbgd.pdf

If you plan on visiting, here's some directions:

Take Rt 202 North to Rt. 2 East, Rt. 2 to Exit 25 (Rt. 140 south). Follow Rt. 140 south for 2 miles. Turn Right onto Mile Hill Road. Follow Mile Hill Road for 1/2 mile to split in road. Take Left Fork onto Mountain Road. Follow Mountain Road 1 1/4 miles to top of hill. Reservation entrance is on the Right. Visitor center entrance is immediately on the Left after entering Reservation.

Some More Water Station Pictures

2008-11-30T10:44:00.000-08:00

A few more pics, don't know what that orb is in the third picture, but it wasn't in my view finder when i took the pic, there are a couple in one of the previous photos also,

perhaps rain drops on the lens. (OR GHOSTS!!!)

Mountain Park Pump Station Uncovered!!!

2008-11-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

Last week the Billy Goat was talking to Pete, the old-timer that walks the Mountain Park access road, and the subject of the old Mountain Park water pump station came up.

He had said that the station had been hidden in the brush for years near the location of the old Casino and had been long forgotten.

Well, i was coming back from a hike from the summit and decided to go down the Ski Area road and noticed Wagner Wood who is clearing brush and chopping trees for Eric Suher's amphitheater had uncovered the Station.

It sure saved me a lot of work trekking thru the woods, though the mud was ankle deep

when i went down to the area to take pictures.

I don't know too much of the history of this building, but Pete had mentioned that it pumped water up to Mountain Park for it's sanitary needs in the early 1900s.

Also uncovered was what appeared to be part of the foundation of the old Mountain Park Playhouse ( i will post a few pictures of the foundation in the future), though i'm not sure if this is what it really is.

As for the water station, i will visit the Holyoke History Room to see if i can find additional info on it, and will post any new information in the future.

The Mt. Tom Power Plant

2008-11-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

The Billy Goat recently paid a visit to the Mt.Tom power plant but couldn't gain access,

turns out the security guard is a real DUMMY, and one of their employees was SHORT on help. i did manage a couple of "outside the fence" shots.

The Mt. Tom Power Plant is situated on an 80-acre tract of scenic woodland lying between Mt. Tom and an S-curve in the Connecticut River, a few miles north of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Remote from urban or industrial development, it seems an unlikely location for a power plant, but in this instance appearances are deceiving.

The location has important advantages. It is convenient both to railroad lines, over which fuel for the plant is brought in, and to transmission lines, over which the power generated by the plant is dispatched throughout the region. The Connecticut River provides make-up water for the plant's steam cycle. Approximately 1.1 million pounds of high pressure steam per hour passes through the steam turbine and is condensed back into water to repeat the cycle. The river also easily provides the 90,000 gallons of cooling water pumped every minute through the condenser and back into the river, warmer than before but harmless to the environment.

A distinctive feature of the Mt. Tom plant is its "outdoor" boiler structure, an all-weather design representing a considerable cost saving through the elimination of conventional outer walls. The 163-foot high (13 story) boiler section is encased only by its structural steel framework. Less obvious is the elevation of the plant site and all major equipment to a level well above that reached by the river in the flood of 1936, when the utility's Riverside Station was flooded as 16.8 feet of water passed over the dam in Holyoke.

The Mt. Tom Power Plant went into service in 1960 as a coal-fired unit. In 1970, because of new air quality regulations and for reasons of economy, the plant was converted to burn oil. In 1981, because of the uncertainty of oil supplies, as well as oil's escalating price, Mt. Tom was converted back to coal. New state-of-the-art pollution control equipment has been installed to meet current environmental regulations.

Mt. Tom burns about 1,200 tons of coal daily and has on-site storage space for about 150,000 tons. Coal is delivered by rail cars, which arrive at the station in 80-car trains. The generating capacity of 146,000 kilowatts is enough to meet the electrical demand of a city more than twice the size of Holyoke. (Info courtesy of First Light Power Resources)

The Rides Of Mt. Park Live On!

2008-11-19T11:39:00.000-08:00

When Arnolds Park in Iowa needed parts to refurbish their roller coaster, they turned to Mt. Park which was selling off their rides due to the closing of the park.

Pictured are the Mt. Park Flyer cars that have a new lease on life, along with the Kiddie Coaster that was also purchased and restored.

Another of Mt. Park's most popular rides was the Dodgems, they are now at Coney Island.

Mt. Park Rides Live On At Other Amusement Parks

2008-11-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

Although It's been 20 plus years since the closing of Mt. Park in Holyoke Ma., the park's rides live on bringing joy to many adults and children. Here are some of the rides that visitors to Mt. Park will remember.

The Ferris Wheel, Train (once known as the Mt. Park Zephyr), Tilt-A-Whirl, and kiddie rides such as the Taxis, Fire Trucks and the Pony Ride can still be enjoyed at Sanspit Amusement Park in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

The once popular Tempest is now owned by Fannelli Amusements and visits carnivals around the Northeastern United States.

The Toonerville Trolley: Then & Now

2008-11-18T09:23:00.001-08:00

Since seeing WGGBY's documentary "Mountain Park Memories" and the snippet of footage of the Toonerville Trolley, it's brought back a lot of memories of this crazy ride.

The Toonerville Trolley (which was designed after the newspaper cartoon) was located opposite the Kiddie Cadillac Mass. Turnpike ride, and i don't recall if the Trolley co-existed with those little hand-powered train cars that were also in this area in the early sixties, (these are the train cars that once were located near the Roller Coaster entrance in the fifties.) The trolley ride was tough on the kidneys, moving along a jagged rail that produced a "zig zag" effect, causing the riders to be tossed around in their seats, if that wasn't enough, the ride was accompanied by a clanging bell that added to the kaos. Pictured here is the Trolley in the early sixties (photo courtesy of the Holyoke History Room) and what the area looks like in 2008. Notice after all these years, the old electrical post is still standing,

and the fence surrounding the area is still there.

Mt. Tom Summit House Pump Station

2008-11-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

Nestled in the Mt. Tom Reservation is the remains of the old Summit House pump station, the station pumped water from a reservoir that used to be on top of the range

near Dead Top peak to the Mt. Tom Summit House. The pump house and reservoir are located off the MM trail about a mile north of the Mt. Tom summit. Here are a few pictures of the pump house and reservoir.

UPDATE!!!

I found a trail that leads to the Pump Station that starts at the B-17 Memorial that's located on

the Trolley (WGGB) Road that leads to the Mt. Tom summit.

Here are the directions:

Take the Mt. Park access road to Mountain Park , after driving over the Interstate 91 overpass, there will be a road to your right (it has a yellow gate) travel this road till you get to a power grid on your left, just pass the grid will be the trolley road (there's a sign that reads B-17 Memorial, the no trespassing sign only applies to vehicles) travel this road about a half mile and on your right you will see a path lined with birch trees and american flags leading to the B-17 Memorial, right behind the flagpole of the Memorial you will find a trail marked with orange/red trees (take your time looking for the orange/red markings on the trees, if you have difficulty, follow the brook to the left of the trail), follow this trail west for about a quarter mile and you will come to the Pump Station.

Behind the Pump Station is a pond with a concrete dam (fourth picture), if you travel behind the pond north, you will find old piping that will lead you to the Summit Reservoir, from the reservoir you can see the communication tower located on Dead Top peak (see bottom picture)

If you follow the orange/red marked trail from the Pump Station west, it will take you to the MM trail that runs north/south along the top of the range. If you continue on the trail to the MM, remember the location for future hiking, this way if you hike the MM trail in the future, you will know where the trail is that leads to the Pump Station and to the B-17 Memorial.

Recent Photos Of Mt. Park Ballroom & Golf Course

2008-11-12T08:35:00.000-08:00

(CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER IMAGE) Here is what's left of the Mt. Park Ballroom and Golf Course, notice the stairs that lead to the Ballroom have been taken out along with the concrete slab that was once the Ballroom floor, also the the familiar stairway overpass that was used to cross over the old Mt.Park Zephyr train tracks along with the tunnels are now history, the mound of debris is all that's left of the Golf Course.

The Mt. Park Lumber Yard

2008-11-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

The workers doing the cutting are using the old "fireworks" field for their "lumber yard",

i wonder if they will use the lumber in the building of the theatre?