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On
the morning of May 24th, 2002, Fred Hunt, his children and grand-children
gathered at the "Twenty-Foot" in Reading for one last
private, if chilly, swim. Not much was really going to change at
the swimming area, for Fred Hunt had always allowed public access
to its clear, deep waters.
Later that day, the Hunt property would change over into State
ownership, thanks to the efforts of the VRC, a $61,500 grant from
the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, and generous contributions
from individuals and local businesses. Now the land will forever
remain a forested, accessible gem along the North Branch of the
Black River to be formally and permanently protected and managed
by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.
Fred Hunt is
something of a legend for his many years managing his 800 acres
of nearby woodlands with expertise and ardor. Walking with him on
his property is always a pleasure, full of stories about the trees,
wildlife, land, people, and the swimming hole.
"I have
always felt that the Twenty-Foot Hole area should eventually be
in public ownership" said Hunt when first walking the land
with the VRC.
Although not
in a position to donate the readily-developable property, Hunt negotiated
with the VRC and arrived at a purchase-and-sale agreement in December.
Many from the Reading area responded to the VRC's fundraising effort.
Students at Springfield's Union Street and Park Street schools raised
funds for the project on Earth Day. Letters and checks arrived from
as far away as California and Bermuda, testifying to the widespread
love for the spot:
Dear
VRC:
Enclosed is my check to help buy 20 Foot Hole. I wish I could give
more for I cannot begin to tell you how much this place means to
me. I have been swimming there for at least 25 years. I do a great
deal of traveling around the world-Africa, Asia, Central America-and
because of this I am acutely aware of how rapidly the world is changing.
It has been a source of great comfort to come home and see that
one of my favorite places on earth has not changed. Please let this
continue. Thank you so much for your work. I hope you pull this
one off.
Dear
VRC:
We are so very happy to contribute to this effort to save our swimming
waters. I have enjoyed swimming there for over fifty years and agree
at all costs it should remain always as it is today. When the world
goes totally mad, this place will help put things back in perspective!
Thank goodness for this movement towards perpetuity."
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This Vermont place holds Vermonters' attention and brings visitors back again and again. The VRC would like to sincerely thank all who helped us seize this opportunity to protect a site that has been loved for generations by so many.
Although
not significant in any of the deepest-widest-tallest-highest type
categories, the Twenty-Foot Hole is remarkable locally, regionally,
and statewide for its subtle beauty.
In three places
on the property, the bedrock constricts the stream into lovely cataracts,
each a treasure in itself. Below each drop a deep mini-gorge broadens
out into expanded swimming and wading areas ringed with rocks and
woodland dominated by hemlocks and tall, straight pines. The depth
of each pool where the clarity of the water is strikingly Caribbean,
led to the name "Twenty-Foot Hole".
The
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation will manage
the property. VT FPR has developed an Interim Stewardship Plan for
the Twenty-Foot Hole property that will remain in effect until a
Long Range Plan can be completed. According to Jay Maciejowski,
District Forestry Manager:
"the
challenge will always be to maintain the area in its natural condition
while allowing public access and use."
All
involved in the project urge users to respect and care for this
magnificent site. The VRC has hired an intern who will visit the
site periodically, monitoring conditions and meeting with site users
throughout the summer.
Learn
how you can help the VRC...
page updated 2/26/08 by Zephyr Sites |
