A Warmer Welcome to the Woods

Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), BNRC has completed a series of comprehensive infrastructure upgrades across many of our shared public lands, all designed to enhance the experience at our reserves from the moment you arrive.

Think of a trailhead as a handshake. It’s the very first point of contact when you arrive for a hike or an outing in the woods. By focusing on this critical first step, we’ve made parking, wayfinding, and initial trail information clearer, smoother, and more intuitive for everyone who spends time in these special places.

The Berkshires’ natural beauty is one of our region’s greatest strengths, and making sure people can easily and safely experience it is an important investment in both our communities and our economy,” said State Senator Paul W. Mark. “These improvements will make BNRC’s trails more welcoming for residents and visitors alike, while strengthening the outdoor recreation opportunities that bring people to Western Massachusetts. I’m grateful to BNRC and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for continuing to invest in the places that make our region so special.

These physical improvements are built to be both durable and inviting, tackling longstanding maintenance needs while ensuring our public reserves remain welcoming places to visit. For instance, at Thomas and Palmer Brook Reserve in Great Barrington, our Stewardship team and partnered contractors completed significant parking lot work alongside a fully restored footbridge right near the entry to establish a reliable, long-lasting connection to the broader trail network. Over at Olivia’s Overlook and the Brothers Trail in Lenox, the parking areas were upgraded to facilitate a smoother arrival for everyone taking in the sights.

Throughout our reserves, visitors will also spot some renewed kiosks and updated signage designed to offer clearer, easy-to-read information so you can explore with confidence.

Our goal was to ensure that from the moment someone pulls into one of our reserves, they feel supported and informed,” said Doug Brown, Director of Stewardship at BNRC. “These improvements aren’t just about fixing a parking lot or a sign; they are about making our trails more welcoming and ensuring our infrastructure can handle the patterns of use we’re seeing. It’s about creating that seamless first experience that turns a first-time visitor into a lifelong steward of the land.

Beyond the immediate physical upgrades, this project allows BNRC to adopt a more robust, data-driven approach to land management. Modernizing this infrastructure equips us to better track seasonal traffic and visitor usage, laying the groundwork for proactive, long-term planning for future trail maintenance and resource allocation.

Massachusetts' nature and landscapes are among our greatest tourism assets, and visitors are increasingly seeking authentic outdoor experiences that connect them to the places they visit,” said Kate Fox, Executive Director at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “Investments like these help ensure our trails are welcoming and enjoyable from the moment someone arrives. By enhancing trailheads, wayfinding, and visitor amenities, Berkshire Natural Resources Council is creating experiences that encourage people to explore the Berkshires, support local businesses, and discover all that the region has to offer.

Plan Your Next Trail Outing

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to a favorite trail, we can’t wait for you to experience these updates. Explore all of our conserved lands and plan your next adventure by visiting bnrc.org/reserves.

• About BNRC: Established in 1967, Berkshire Natural Resources Council is a nationally accredited land trust that conserves and cares for Berkshire lands, waters, and wildlife, and connects people with nature for a more vibrant, shared future. Today, BNRC actively cares for over 27,000 acres and provides free access to the Berkshire outdoors for everybody—thanks to the help of our dedicated members and volunteers
• Land Acknowledgment: This land, and all the present-day Berkshires, are the ancestral homeland of the Mohican people who were forcefully displaced to Wisconsin by European colonization. These lands continue to be of great significance to the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation today. To learn more, visit mohican.com.