How do you enjoy West Newbury trails?

• walking your dog around Mill Pond and the Town Forest?
• riding your horse or your bicycle through woods and fields?
• watching the seasons change on Archelaus Hill and Riverbend?
• checking for returning birds, butterflies and other creatures who share the habitat?
• jogging, hiking or cross country skiing for your health and well being?
• spending family time exploring new and familiar territory without leaving Town?

ECTA (Essex County Trail Association) is looking for West Newbury Trail Stewards and additional members for the Trail Committee to add to our current volunteer contingent of aging boomers. If you or your family members use and appreciate the bridges, boardwalks, trail clearing, rut filling and trail locating that make our Town the envy of Essex County, please visit ECTA to learn more.

How can you help improve and maintain these invaluable natural resources? If you have not already done so,  please consider becoming a member of ECTA. This 35 year old non-profit organization looks after 450 miles of trails in West Newbury as well as in Hamilton, Wenham, Essex, Ipswich and Topsfield. Our volunteers identify where trail work is needed,  where new trails should be added, where trail easements can be granted on private lands that connect public parcels, raise money, obtain grants, donate funds and do much of the work needed to trim, clear, fill, bridge and maintain them.

Watch for upcoming events—Spring for the Trails Half-Marathon, guided trail rides, the upcoming Annual Meeting, and (eventually) our social and educational events.

Please contact Deb Hamilton, ECTA Vice Chair, at 978 270-9129 if you have questions.

Soon the trails will be dry enough for us all to explore. Hope you’ll continue to use and enjoy them.