WILLIAMSBURG, Mass. – The Trustees of Reservations have acquired Beaver Brook Golf Course in Williamsburg and Northampton, closing on the property this week. The Trustees have begun planning and assessment work toward its plan to “rewild” the property to create an outdoor recreation and conservation hub in the heart of western Massachusetts.
“We are thrilled to add Beaver Brook Reservation to our special places in the Valley and grateful to so many people who contributed to our fundraising campaign to protect and restore this landscape for everyone forever,” said Katie Theoharides, president and CEO of The Trustees. “Rewilding this landscape and restoring the floodplain and wetlands gives us a great opportunity to showcase nature-based climate solutions while providing the community with beautiful open space and an opportunity for outdoor recreation and a place to gather.”
Highly visible from its location on well-traveled Route 9 in Northampton and Williamsburg, Beaver Brook provides The Trustees with a more prominent presence in the Connecticut River Valley. Wendy Ferris, The Trustees’ vice president for the Central and Valley Region, said area residents can expect visible restoration work on the property to start in 2026 after a period of planning and assessment. Golfing is no longer allowed on the property.
“We will spend this year getting to know this land, learning about the best way to create and support a diversity of habitats, and planning an accessible trail system that welcomes all members of the community. This will take time to do well, but we know it will be worth the wait,” said Ferris.
For now, the buildings on the property – a pavilion and clubhouse – will not be open to the public until the property is fully open in 2026. The public is welcome to walk on the property’s trails and paths now, and The Trustees’ stewardship staff will keep some pathways mowed this summer and fall.
Work such as the planting of native trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers will commence in 2026, with volunteer opportunities available for the public to participate in the work.
The Trustees had a $1.5 million fundraising goal for the property acquisition and activation and have raised $1,246,450 to date. More than 400 individual donors from across the Commonwealth, including 127 donors new to The Trustees, have donated toward the project. Ferris said fundraising will continue to support the transformation of the property.
Ferris also thanked several organizations that contributed toward the purchase, including the Massachusetts Audubon Catalyst Fund, The Nature Conservancy, the Broad Brook Coalition, Kestrel Land Trust, and Hilltown Land Trust.
Ferris will be offering informal public engagement opportunities this summer and fall, which will be posted at www.thetrustees.org/beaverbrook. Information about supporting the restoration and transformation of Beaver Brook is also available on the Beaver Brook webpage.
More about The Trustees
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 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 millions of guests annually. Learn more at www.thetrustees.org.