French River Connection

VISION:

The vision of the French River Connection is for the French River and its shoreline to become a resource that is used, enjoyed, and treasured by residents and visitors to the French River region. The river's natural and cultural heritage will be appreciated and protected, recreational gatherings along the river will be encouraged, and the economic benefits of a healthy, active riverfront will be realized.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

MEETINGS:

General meeting: Wednesday November 11 at 7pm at a location to be determined

DAM TRAIL RACE: Click the link for all the information about this race.

A major fundraising event at Hodges Village scheduled for August 8. Check the Volunteeer page

FRENCH RIVER DAY:

Our annual picnic. September 12 in the afternoon, 3-6pm at Hodges Village.  Eat some good food, chat with friends, take a paddle in Agguteback Pond

WATCH  FOR  MORE  EVENTS

MORE ABOUT THE PERRYVILLE TRACE

A trailhead sign marks the beginning of the Perryville Trace, a half-mile riverside walk in the woods opened in July 2008.

THE GREENBRIER WATER TRAIL IS NOW OPEN:

On April 18 2009, a new boat launch was dedicated at Greenbrier Park in Oxford, opening the Greenbrier Water Trail.  This is a beautiful three mile paddle through a magnificent wildlife area. Or  just paddle around Lower Wellington Pond.  The launch site was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and French River Connection Volunteers. 

Here is a map of the area.  If you select F11 you will get a bigger map. You can drag the map around with the mouse, or change the scale. If you click on a symbol on the map or on the legend on the left you will see a description.

Before You Go: There are beaver dams and snags to be negotiated on the trip which are located and described on  map.   This is definitely a one way trip if you decide to go down the river. When you get to Hodges Village, it's a 1200 foot walk to the parking area where you would leave your car.  The Army Corps has graciously  offered to open the gate so you can drive down to the water to pick up your boat, but would like you to call and make arrangements ahead of time. So if you don't want to carry your boat that far, contact Tim Russell at Buffumville Lake at  (508) 248-5697 to make arrangements.

 

Part of the volunteer team who completed clearing a riverside parcel in downtown Webster October 11 2008  of invasive knotweed poses in front of their handiwork. The 1.66 acre parcel is destined to become a green space and boat launch, and anchor the Webster Riverwalk

Paddlers and event  volunteers gather at the Greenbrier Water Trail launch site on April 18 2009 for a dedication and the first Massachusetts event in the Last Green Valley's Source to Sea Program.  Here is a slideshow of the event

Trip leader Jean Hixson and Jim Hachigian begin Connecting the Drops Through the Last Green Valley as the negotiate a beaver dam on the Greenbrier Water Trail. The lead canoe for the entire Source to Sea journey was donated by LL Bean.

More than twenty paddlers head down the French River from Hodges Village to North Webster on April 26 2009 , part of the Last Green Valley's Source to Sea Program.  Check the slideshow.

At left is a preliminary design for the parcel; planning, cost estimating, and other activities related to park development are continuing. See a larger image.

USACE Ranger Jean Hixson and Alan Dabrowski, who led construction of the launch site, cut ribbon.