Free public Treks are back–come and join in!

The South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will hold an outdoor fall group Trek on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 1:00pm. We will begin at the new Senior Center at 45 Dayton Street, with a look at the five new outdoor fitness stations that were recently installed on the grounds, and then continue around the ball park out to Fulton Street, and across Lyman Street for a walk around the quiet, shady streets of the Woodlawn Neighborhood. Since it’s Halloween, feel free to wear a costume (or not!).

Meet at 12:45pm in the Senior Center outdoor patio seating area (to the left of the main entrance). The adjacent lot offers plenty of parking. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear, and bring water. Post-trek, please join BWC members for socializing. Participants of all ages and new Trekkers are always welcomed! All events are subject to change or cancellation due to weather. For more information, to download a Trek Map and information sheet about the fitness stations, or to check for a weather notification, visit us on the Town website at: https://www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. 

Coming in November–save the date:
Sunday, 11.14.21 at 1:00pm-Mount Holyoke College Upper Lake Loop and Boardwalk Guided Trek

Treks are scheduled on Sundays at 1:00pm with participants gathering at 12:45pm. We do not schedule Treks in June, July, and August. To be added to our mailing list, please email bikewalksouthhadley@gmail.com.

Learn about the Rts. 33/202 Corridor Plan

The South Hadley Planning Department will hold an online forum on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 to present a draft plan for the Routes 33/202 Corridor, which runs in South Hadley from the Chicopee line north up Route 33 and then west on Route 202 to the Granby line. Since this is our ‘neighborhood,’ where we walk and regularly drive, residents may want to join the forum to learn about and comment on the vision for this part of town, including the Big Y commercial area. To attend the webinar:

Rts. 33/202 Corridor Plan Online Forum
Wednesday, November 20, 2021 from 7:00 to 9:00pm
To join the webinar: https://bit.ly/corridorstudymeeting
To submit comments/questions in advance : bit.ly/corridorstudyform  

 The draft plan may be viewed online at: https://southhadley.org/DocumentCenter/View/8016/Route-202Route-33-Corridor-Study—2021-02-16-Draft

Shadowbrook Fall Neighbors Meet-Up

This is the time of year we usually have our annual potluck picnic at the park and our Neighbors group thought it would be nice to get together for a Shadowbrook Neighbors Fall Meet-Up. Though we’ve had some neighborhood Zoom meetings over the past year, we’ve missed meeting in person, so we are planning an outdoor gathering at Buttery Brook Park on Saturday, October 2nd at 2:00pm (rain date 10/3/21). The park address is 123 Willimansett Street (Route 33).

Since the picnic tables were not put out in the pavilions this year we won’t do a meal, so the focus will be on visiting. We’ll supply some drinks and snacks; if you’d like to provide a simple finger snack, let us know, but it’s optional. Just come and can enjoy visiting–it will be so nice to see everyone! Please bring your mask and a folding chair. Please note that while the park is available to visitors, the restrooms are closed for the season. Please RSVP by September 29 to: Marybeth Magoffin (magoffin13@aol.com).


Pest Control Service on Sept. 16

Braman Pest Elimination will be spraying the exterior foundations of all of our buildings on Thursday, September 16th.  They will arrive between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. To prepare for this service

1. Close all windows/doors, and keep closed for a minimum of two (2) hours.

2. Bring all children’s toys and pet dishes/toys inside.

3. Bring patio furniture inside if possible. If not, please move at least five to ten feet (5’-10’) away from the building.

4. Cover grills and move at least five to ten feet (5’-10’) away from the building.

5. Stay off of patios for a minimum of two (2) hours. Keep children and pets indoors during this service and for approximately two (2) hours after service.

Applications are made in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.

South Hadley Big Y now offers online ordering for curbside pickup

As of July 7, 2021, Big Y has expanded its free myPicks grocery shopping and pickup service to include the South Hadley store (https://www.bigy.com/mypicks-online-ordering). To use the free service, customers first need to create a myBigY digital account. To place a pickup order, log in to myPicks with your myBigY account login, load any desired digital coupons and offers to the account, then add items to your cart, and select a pickup time and location. Customers are notified by email or text that the order is ready for pickup at one of the market’s four designated parking spaces. On arrival, call the number provided so a store associate can come out and load your groceries into your car. For more information and to browse the online shopping system as a guest, visit: https://mypicks.bigy.com.

2021 South Hadley Fireworks on Labor Day weekend

South Hadley’s annual fireworks will be back for 2021. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 4th, with a rain date of Sunday, September 5th. As usual, the event will take place at at the Michael E. Smith Middle School on Mosier Street. The major corporate sponsor is PeoplesBank, and more information will be available on the Special Events section of the Recreation Department website as the event date nears.

2021 Buttery Brook Park Children’s Summer Series

The annual Children’s Summer Series returns to Buttery Brook Park for 2021 on three Wednesday mornings in July. There is a $5 suggested donation per family per concert to help support the South Hadley Family Center. 

  • Tom Knight
    Wednesday, July 7 at 10:00am
    Featuring handmade puppets, funny stories and catchy songs, with audience participation. 
  • Roger Tincknell
    Wednesday, July 14 at 10:00am
    Two-time Parents’ Choice Award-winning recording artists performing original, traditional, contemporary songs in a variety of styles.
  • In the Nick of Time
    Wednesday, July 21 at 10:00am
    An eclectic mix of folk, rock, funk, and hip-hop, from energetic husband-and-wife duo, Nick Deysher and Tracey Freitag, with Top-10 Album of the Year honors from USA Today and Parents Magazine.
  • 2021 Children’s Summer Series Flyer (1 page PDF)

The series is organized by the South Hadley Family Center (SHFC) in collaboration with the South Hadley Recreation Department, and is supported in part by grants from the South Hadley Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

For more summer programs, visit: South Hadley Recreation Department

Saving working farmland in South Hadley

Like the Valley itself, the Town of South Hadley has a long history of agriculture. But our farms are increasingly under threat from development. In 1950, there were nearly 5,000 dairy farms across the Commonwealth, including in South Hadley. Now, less than 120 dairy farms are left state-wide. Today, the 210-acre Lauzier Farm on Alvord Street is the last of its size in South Hadley. The Kestrel Land Trust is working with the Town, the Commonwealth, and the landowners to save this remaining piece of agricultural land with the sale of an Agricultural Preservation Restriction to prohibit development and ensure the land is “Forever Farmland.” Details about this important local project are available at: https://www.southhadley.org/1100/Protect-Lauzier-Farm

Help is needed to raise $150,000 in local matching funds to secure the remaining public funding, and many local residents have already donated to this effort, which was recently approved by Town Meeting. The Town of South Hadley has partnered with Kestral Land Trust to raise the needed match. To donate to the fund online or to download a donation form and send a check, visit: www.kestreltrust.org/lauzierfarm

For more information about agricultural preservation in Massachusetts, see: www.mass.gov/service-details/smart-growth-smart-energy-toolkit-modules-agricultural-preservation