Hale Endures Damage From Winter Weather

The Westwood Department of Public Works and local safety officials aren’t the only ones dealing with the hazard of this winter’s harsh weather.

Officials at Hale Reservation have been working hard this winter to maintain the 1,100 acres of woodlands, including walkways, roads and driveways that make up the reservation.

The main drive in keeping the roadways open is to accommodate hikers, walkers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

“Winter is a great time to come to Hale,” Executive Director Eric Arnold said in a news release this week. “We have lots of people who want to snowshoe or cross country ski, and they are welcome. I caution, however, that despite our best efforts, roads and trails can be icy. There has been some damage to the property, and it’s a priority to remind the public to be extra careful.”

Staff at the reservation have worked hard to reduce water damage to buildings on site, and have been working to shovel off the roads of sheds, cabins and pavilions, according to a recent news release by Hale. 

Last weekend, in fact, a pavilion near Hale’s Cat Rock Parking Lot collapsed with the weight of the recent snowfall, according to the news release.

Due to the snow accumulation in the area, staff are forced to wait to clear the debris from the site, and subsequent rebuilding of the pavilion will be addressed prior to the summer camp season.

Hale officials do not use salt on the roads because of the drinking water wells on the property, and a concern for the local environment. As such roadways are cleared manually, and Hale stated this week that while staff will continue to monitor the structures on the property,

“Our responsible visitors at Hale are the best eyes and ears for us,” Arnold said in this week’s release. “We can’t thank them enough."