FALL RIVER, Mass. – The Trustees held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of an accessible Discovery Trail at Copicut Woods in Fall River today. The event featured brief remarks by Katie Theoharides, president and CEO of The Trustees. She was joined by several locally elected officials, including Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, Maureen Flanagan from State Senator Michael Rodrigues’ office, and State Representatives Carole Fiola and Paul Schmid. Also on hand was Paul Jahnige, director of the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation and representatives from MassTrails and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
The Discovery Trail will increase community access and engagement at the 516-acre property managed by The Trustees. The newly updated trail, approximately 1,850 feet long, is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible with five “curious finds” stations along the trail where children can engage in “nature play,” which features interacting primarily with natural features of the landscape to learn, discover, and explore. The project is unique to The Trustees because it combines accessibility and “nature play.”
The project was supported by a $50,000 MassTrails grant and an anonymous donor. The trail was designed by Sarah Brunelle at Lu-La Studios. Jim Borrebach of OHI Engineering provided work on the accessible trail.
“Nature play and discovery elements in this trail design help engage young children, leveraging their natural inclination toward play and exploration,” said Theoharides about the project. “Such trails are vital to inspiring a love for the outdoors, cultivating an early interest in nature that hopefully carries through a child’s life into adulthood.”
“The Discovery Trail at Copicut Woods is a great addition to the outdoor recreation opportunities in Fall River, especially for young families and people with disabilities,” said Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan. “The trail provides a great way to connect young children with the outdoors, and we appreciate The Trustees and their state partners for making this possible.”
Copicut Woods, located six miles from the center of Fall River, is managed by The Trustees. A conservation restriction is held by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting by and through its Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and its Department of Fish and Game. It is a dynamic reservation featuring upland forests, wetlands, waterways, and remnants of a vibrant agricultural past.
“The addition of the Discovery Trail, which is accessible and engages children to experience nature, adds a new dimension to this area of conservation land,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (First Bristol and Plymouth). “I am thrilled that The Trustees and the state could partner to make this happen for the residents and visitors of Fall River who enjoy the beauty of Copicut Woods.”
“It is my hope that the new Discovery Trail at Copicut Woods serves as an entry point for children to be curious and engaged in play time outdoors,” added State Representative Paul Schmid III of Westport. “The fact that the trail is accessible to both strollers and wheelchairs means it opens up exploring this beautiful place to more people, including those who would normally find it challenging. We appreciate all who have worked on this project and provided the funding for it.”
“Copicut Woods and its proximity to the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve provide our residents with such wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities and experiences,” said State Representative Carole Fiola of Fall River. “This Discovery Trail will help get children interested in nature and give them many hours of enjoyment and exploration.”
More than five miles of trails wind across the property and connect to the nearby Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, one of the largest protected tracts of land in Massachusetts. The Bioreserve sustains the native biodiversity of the region, from the dominant white pine-oak forest to rare Atlantic white cedar swamps. It also features almost 100 species of birds and is home to the endangered four-toed salamander and protects drinking water for more than 100,000 people.
“This new trail expands access to Copicut Woods and the broader Bioreserve,” Theoharides said. “Making nature more accessible to all is a top priority at The Trustees, and we are proud this trail will help more people enjoy the restorative power of nature.”
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Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 130 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the one of the oldest preservation and conservation organizations, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our more than 120 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming over 2 million of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.