Belchertown wins $472,600 in state grants for land, recreation

The Town of Belchertown announced Oct. 21 that it has been awarded $472,600 in state grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the awards Oct. 7 as part of more than $13 million in parks and conservation grants given out across Massachusetts.

A $425,000 Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity grant will help the town buy the Boyce property and protect it as the new Metacomet Hills Conservation Area. The 48 acres of forest sit between the Holyoke Range and Pelham Hills, connect to the Quabbin Watershed Reservation, include part of the New England Scenic Trail and border other protected land. The town will own the property while Kestrel Land Trust holds a conservation restriction on it to keep the land undeveloped. The project will also add a parking area and trailhead, with work scheduled to be completed by June 2027.

A $47,600 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant will fund a new multipurpose paved surface at Chestnut Hill Recreation Area, next to the existing basketball courts, giving the Recreation Department more room for programs and activities. The grant will reimburse the town for 68% of project costs, up to $47,600. Construction is expected to begin in July 2027 and finish by spring 2028.

"Protecting open space and giving families more places to play are two things that make Belchertown such a special place to live, and these grants help us do both," Town Manager Steve Williams said in the release. He thanked Grants Coordinator Dawn Cote, Recreation Director Kyle Thibeault, Kestrel Land Trust and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their work.

Recreation Director Kyle Thibeault said in the release, "This new surface gives us flexible space to grow our programs and gives families one more reason to spend time at Chestnut Hill. We're grateful to the state for supporting this project."

Because both projects use state funds, the sites are protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, meaning they must remain open to the public for outdoor recreation permanently.

Source: Town of Belchertown announcement, October 21, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement. It was corrected where it differed.