Ames Family Donates “Hobo Falls” and Trail to Northfield; Mount Grace to Ensure Permanent Protection of Hobo Trail and Falls
Longtime conservation supporter Nancy Ames has partnered with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust to donate the site of Hobo Falls, on Old Wendell Road, to the Town of Northfield. The 16-acre site, which includes a popular local trail that leads to the cascading falls, is also protected with a conservation restriction (CR) held by Mount Grace.
“Between the waterfalls and the rock outcroppings, these parcels of land are truly unique,” said Nancy Ames. “From the very first time I saw these properties, I fell in love with them. By donating them to the Town of Northfield, they’ll be accessible to the public for all to admire in perpetuity.”
The donated land protects riparian corridors and upland forests and adds to a growing network of conserved lands near Hobo Falls, including the Northfield Town Forest, and the Brush Mountain Conservation Area.
In 2007, the Ames family donated a CR that became home to the popular Hobo Trail, which leads to the scenic waterfall. This year, Nancy has donated that parcel and two adjacent parcels to the Town. As part of this project, the two additional parcels will also be permanently protected by CRs held by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
The new gift of land creates an exciting opportunity to extend the Hobo Trail across all three parcels – allowing visitors to not only enjoy the waterfall but also experience more of the landscape.
Hobo Falls Trail was built in 2009 with help from the community and Northfield’s Boy Scout Troop 9. Now, the Northfield Open Space Committee and Conservation Commission plan to partner with students from Pioneer Valley Regional High School and Northfield Mount Hermon School to give local students a direct role once again designing and building the extended trail.
For Mount Grace, this project illustrates how land protection and community connection go hand in hand. The land trust has long worked to make conservation accessible—through student projects, volunteer stewardship, and welcoming public trails. A nearby example is Alderbrook Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, a Mount Grace property that overlooks a scenic beaver pond and features a fully accessible trail. This five-acre woodlot off Route 63 in Northfield, also made possible by the Ames Family’s generosity, embodies Mount Grace’s commitment to inclusive outdoor recreation.
“Projects like this help to inspire the next generation of land stewards and introduce younger folks to the benefits of nature,” said Emma G. Ellsworth, Executive Director at Mount Grace. “Students will gain real-world experience in land stewardship, residents will have a longer trail to explore, and the town will carry forward a conservation legacy that honors both nature and community.”
Projects like this help to inspire the next generation of land stewards and introduce younger folks to the benefits of nature.
Nancy Ames has been a steadfast champion of conservation in Northfield for decades, and her latest gift ensures that legacy will continue to shape the town for generations. “You never know, when you make a donation like this, if it might encourage someone else to do something similar with their property,” Nancy reflected. “I like to think that we all share this planet.”