Gloutak Woods Conservation Area
The City of Holyoke acquired Gloutak Woods in 2019 from a private landowner using $157,000 in local Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. This was the first open space project since local voters approved the CPA in 2016. The Holyoke Conservation Commission manages the 51.72 acre property with the goal of protecting wildlife habitat and offering passive recreation activities to the public. A Conservation Restriction is held by Kestrel Land Trust, ensuring that the land will forever remain dedicated to passive recreation activities for the community and maintained in perpetuity in a natural, undeveloped condition.
The Holyoke CPA Committee funded major upgrades to the trail system in 2022 and 2023, which were directed by the organization Greenagers and crews of Holyoke teens. Greenagers Inc. works with municipalities, land trusts, and other conservation agencies to design trail system improvements and lead paid crews of youth aged 14-24. Based for the most part in Berkshire County and upstate New York, this collaboration in Holyoke marks the first Greenagers trail crew in the Connecticut River Valley.
The six-member crew, composed entirely of Holyoke teens and directed by Greenagers staff, worked to create new trails, construct a kiosk, conduct invasive species removal and build two new bridge crossings.
Trails at Gloutak Woods are open daily from dawn until dusk.
Motorized vehicle usage-including ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorbikes-is strictly prohibited. Please call the Holyoke Office of Conservation and Sustainability to report any illegal motorized vehicle trespass: 413-322-5615.
Gloutak Woods in the news!
Greenagers Team Up with Holyoke to Improve Trails at Gloutak Woods
Holyoke's Gloutak Woods recreation area gets transformed with help of Greenagers
Gloutak Woods restoration bring new like to Holyoke's natural resources