PLEASE NOTE NEW STARTING TIME---10 AM
Because there will be a solar eclipse starting shortly after 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8, we will meet at 10 a.m. so people are free in the afternoon to view the solar eclipse. We will be walking on the Hatfield Dike (details below). While we will start at the usual place--opposite the Hatfield Town Hall at 59 Main Street--an option will be offered to take a different route back by walking along the historic Hatfield Main Street, where some of the houses date back to before the Revolutionary War. For those who do not wish to participate in the historical tour, can continue walking on the dike.
A few reminders:
--The photograph (below) of the Monday Walking Group at the Chestnut Mountain Xmas Tree Farm on Monday, April 1, is by Judith B. Cameron.
--Each person walks at her/his own pace and walks only as far as they wish. There is no obligation to complete the walk or walk a certain distance.
--There are no restrooms available at the Hatfield Dike. However, restrooms are available in the Hatfield Town Hall, 59 Main Street, across from our meeting place.
--All are welcome on Monday Walking Group outings no matter where you live! You do not have to be a resident of Northampton to walk with our group.
--If you no longer want to receive these walk notices, please email me and I will remove your name from the listserv.
Dave
Northampton Neighbors
Monday Walking Group
10:00 a.m., April 8, 2024
Hatfield Dike
59 Main Street, Hatfield, Mass. 01038
MEETING TIME AND PLACE: 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 8, 2024. We will meet at the trailhead for the Hatfield Dike, which is on Main Street in Hatfield, across from the Hatfield Town Hall/Public Safety building; for GPS directions, please use 59 Main Street, Hatfield, MA 01038, which is the address for the Hatfield Town Hall. The trailhead for the Hatfield Dike is to the immediate right of the old Hatfield Elementary School which has been converted into apartments. Please note there are no signs saying Hatfield Dike.There are no restrooms at the Hatfield Dike, but are available in the Hatfield Town Hall across the street from where we will meet.
DRIVING AND PARKING DIRECTIONS: From Northampton, take North King Street north past the River Valley Market. Approximately one mile past the River Valley Market, make a right hand turn onto Elm Street which goes over I-91 and then continues to our meeting place, a distance of 1.9 miles. Elm Street is the first right hand turn after the River Valley Market and the entrance to I-91 South is just past Elm Street. Continue on Elm Street which becomes Maple Street, and then curves left and finally becomes Main Street in Hatfield. When you see the lovely, old large homes that line Main Street, you know you are getting close to the Hatfield Town Hall. Parking is available on Main Street in front of the old Hatfield Elementary School mentioned above and in front of the nearby homes.
If parking on Main Street is not available, you can park in the municipal parking lot across Main Street. Just past the Town Hall, make a left hand turn onto School Street and an immediate left hand turn into the municipal parking lot.
DESCRIPTION OF WALK: We will be walking south on the Hatfield Dike which parallels the Connecticut River for about ¾ of a mile before the dike turns to the southwest as the River turns west before flowing to the south at the Coolidge Bridge. This is an out and back walk, so please decide how long you want to walk. There are farm fields to the west along the dike and once the separation between the River and the dike widens, there are farm fields to the east, as well. We may encounter a farm tractor or two along the dike and the field hands use their cars to reach the fields.
While we will start at the usual place and walk on the dike for almost one mile, an option will be offered to take a different route back by walking along the historic Hatfield Main Street, where some of the houses date back to before the Revolutionary War. For those who do not wish to participate in the historical tour, can continue walking on the dike. A 2009 historical report on Hatfield is attached below as a .pdf (details below).
Hatfield’s Historic Main Street:
From the 2009 historical report on Hatfield; “Houses that date prior to 1776: the C. Dickinson House, 69 Main Street, 1770; the Moses C. Porter House, 49 Main Street, ca. 1770; the F. D. Billings House, 31 Main Street, 1760; the David Billings House 15 Main Street of 1772;”
COORDINATOR: David Herships; (Cell phone) 413-320-2799; email: davidhersh22@gmail.com
CANCELLATION POLICY: If the walk has to be canceled for rain or otherwise, we will email a notice the night before or the morning of the walk.