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Conservation commission approves Hitchcock Center’s “Little Bear Walks” with conditions
Summary
The Northampton Conservation Commission voted unanimously May 14 to allow the Hitchcock Center for the Environment to run its Little Bear Walks program in selected Northampton conservation areas, subject to conditions on parking, schedule notifications and website language clarifying the fee covers program costs only, not entry to open space.
The Northampton Conservation Commission voted May 14 to approve the Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s Little Bear Walks — a weekly nature program for children ages 0–5 and an accompanying adult — with conditions to protect public safety, parking and open‑space liability.
Chrissy Larson, a senior educator at the Hitchcock Center, told the commission the program consists of a short, slow nature “amble” of about 60–75 minutes that meets at 10 a.m., typically draws six to 10 children (maximum 12) and uses a sliding‑scale fee and online registration managed by Hitchcock. Larson identified three Northampton access points she has scouted for the walks: the Dimmick Street entrance to Roberts Hill, Terrace Trails (using College Church parking subject to permission), and Fitzgerald Lake accessed from Cook Street (currently under construction).
Staff recommended approval so the program would not have to return to the commission for each walk, provided organizers coordinate schedules to avoid conflicts with work parties and other large events, notify staff of upcoming sessions, and adopt website language that the fee covers program costs only and does not charge for access to permanently protected open space. The staff recommendation also asked that the city be credited for use of its land and that organizers manage parking and safety at each site.
The motion to approve the program with the described conditions passed by roll call vote; commissioners recorded affirmative votes from David, Paul, Mason, Beth, Downey and Melissa. The commission also asked staff to provide suggested website language and to flag any problematic dates or locations in advance so conflicts can be avoided.
Next steps: Hitchcock Center staff will update registration materials to state that the fee covers program costs only and will coordinate schedules with staff and local groups (including Broad Brook Coalition) as requested. The commission did not place additional restrictions on the program schedule or locations at this meeting.
