Inaugural hike on the interpretive trail at the Brattleboro Retreat September 22
09/22/2010 - 3:45pm
INAUGURAL HIKE ON THE NEW INTERPRETIVE TRAIL AT THE RETREAT TRAILS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 2
WHO: The Windham Foundation and Naturalist Lynn Levine
WHAT: Will Host an Inaugural Hike on the new Woodlands Interpretive Trail, part of the Retreat Trail Network
WHERE: Starting at the Solar Hill Trail Head at the Retreat Trails
WHEN: Wednesday, September 22, 3:45 p.m.
DETAILS:
The Windham Foundation and local naturalist Lynn Levine invite the greater Brattleboro community to join them on an inaugural hike on Wednesday, September 22 at 3:45 p.m. on a new interpretive trail in Brattleboro.
The Woodlands Interpretive Trail is a moderate one-mile loop within the Retreat Trails network comprised of the Lower & Upper Woodland Trails within the Retreat Trails network of recreational trails in Brattleboro. It can be accessed at the Solar Hill trailhead, located off Western Avenue (behind Solar Hill Yoga and adjacent to the Neighborhood School House).
The Woodlands Interpretive Trail features 18 placards that point out interesting natural aspects of the trail for visitors, such as a spot where lightning struck a tree and the site of granite which traveled there via melting glacier from Dummerston.
A new audio/MP3 recording is available for those who prefer to listen while making the one-mile trek and can be downloaded for free at TheRetreatFarm.com, on the Retreat Trails page. The public is encouraged to download the MP3 audio tour onto their iPod or other listening device prior to arriving.
The MP3 recording was a true community effort, with members of the Leland and Gray High School, led by teacher Carlton Smith, who wrote poems that are included in the audio portion. Dummerston resident Kevin Ryan produced the piece, which was narrated by Smith.
The Retreat Trails network offers nine miles of recreational trails to the public and are maintained and owned by the Windham Foundation and Brattleboro Retreat. The Retreat Trails are open to all hikers, walkers, runners and bikers in the summer months; when the snow flies, they are popular for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. The trails are not open to motorized vehicles. Kiosks representing public trail entry points are located at the following sites:
- Cedar Street: across from the Harris Hill Ski Jump
- Solar Hill: off Western Avenue, behind Solar Hill Yoga and adjacent to the Neighborhood School House
- Upper Dummerston Road: before the I-91 overpass
- Retreat Meadows Boat Launch: across from the Retreat Farm, on Linden Street
- Retreat Farm: at the Petting Farm parking lot
Headquartered in Grafton, Vermont, the Windham Foundation is an operating foundation engaged in philanthropic, charitable and educational activities. Since its inception in 1963, its mission is to promote the vitality of Grafton and Vermont’s rural communities through its philanthropic and educational programs and its subsidiaries whose operations contribute to these endeavors. The Foundation is the owner of Grafton Village Cheese Co., The Old Tavern at Grafton, the Retreat Farm and Grafton Village Nursery.
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Media Contact: Melissa Gullotti, 802-843-2211, x14, melissa.gullotti@windham-foundation.org
Lynn Levine, 802-254-4717, forester.lynn@gmail.com