08/06/2026
Such great news to read that 230 acres of prime forest land along the Westfield River has been preserved and protected from commercial and residential development! This will continue to preserve the feel of wilderness along the section of river from Knightville Dam to Norwich Bridge as there are very few structures along that stretch. As an avid paddler and poler of that section over the years, this was always my favorite piece of river because it reminded me so much of the wilderness rivers in Maine! This is why the Expert Race course for the annual Westfield River Wildwater Races is largely unsupported during the race to create that wilderness feel.
We have so little open land left now and this piece had been in danger of being sold as a gravel pit and then more recently as a housing development. Congratulations to Hull Forest Products owner Bill Hull for selling the property to Northeast Wilderness Trust. In my discussions with Bill when I was soliciting him (successfully) to be a Westfield River Wildwater Race sponsor, it was always his desire that the land be preserved as a natural forest.
Those of us who live in Western Massachusetts and who are river lovers are very fortunate to have this Wild & Scenic River to paddle, fish, study, swim, paint and enjoy! One of the goals of the historic Westfield River Wildwater Races is to expose this impressive recreational resource to people for responsible use. It is our collective responsibility to preserve and protect this beautiful river to ensure future generations have it to cherish decades from now.
Harry Rock, Race Director
72nd Westfield River Wildwater Races
Neil Wheeler PaddleStats Laura Lafreniere Tim Allen Barbara Dowd Sue Vollrath Kristine Dow Mike Neilsen Erik Jones Travis Wheeler Amr Abdelmonem New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Wild & Scenic Westfield River Westfield River Watershed Association Russell - Montgomery Police Department SYOTR Scott Ide Eric Jones Chester Comee IV Denise Avore Keay Phillip Sousa Yvette Sousa Estee Karen McTaggart Elizabeth Massa Laurie Martell Megan Ellinger Jahala Sara Dufort
