Summer 2024 – Mill River Cleanups
Keeping the new conservation area north of Chartpak dam and the bike path leading to it as free of trash as possible during summer is important. The city provides us with trash bags and hauls away the filled bags. If you would like to help the LCA in this effort, please contact Heidi Stevens: heidi@heidistevens.com. If you visit the river conservation area on weekdays and notice... Read More
Attention Conservation Area Hikers and Dog Walkers
While you’re out and about on Leeds conservation area trails you may come across a tree blow-down that’s blocking a trail or a dangling branch that could be dangerous (often called a “widow maker”) or large debris that doesn’t belong there. We’d like your help reporting these obstacles to Tom Annese, Northampton‘s Land Planning Assistant. Tom will come with his chainsaw... Read More
Leeds 150th Flood Commemoration Gathering
The LCA will host a commemoration gathering on May 19 at 1:00 on the Main Street church lawn across from the Flood Memorial. There will be a short introduction and a recounting of Myron Day’s heroic ride down River Road from Haydenville to warn Leeds village about the approaching flood. His warning yells as he charged into Leeds and down Main Street saved many lives. A hero’s... Read More
Leeds Spring Litter Clean Up
Let’s start springtime with litter-free streets and trails! Please schedule time to help out at this annual cleanup. It’s a family friendly activity. Details below: Step 1. Between 8:00 and 9:30 come to the Leeds P.O. to sign up for a location and get trash bags. (Garden gloves are recommended.) Step 2. Go to your chosen location, fill your bags, and leave them by the side of... Read More
Local Documentary, Small Lives, Makes a Big Impression
by Heidi Stevens Two local filmmakers, Colin Hodgson and Lucas Fappiano (now both 26), spent their childhood in Leeds. They were surrounded by nature, good friends, and interesting neighbors, all helping to shape their creativity. They found an understanding of what makes a strong community – its people and how they connect with others. From the early Leeds pumpkin parties and... Read More
Beat the Winter Blues Party – March 2, 2024
Leeds Civic Association puts on this local, neighborly party to give Leeds folks an opportunity to get together when we’re pretty much tired of winter, yet it’s still winter. The LCA has hosted the annual pizza party for 25 years (minus two years during Covid). No matter how busy people think they are or how wonderfully comfortable they may be at home, it’s time well spent... Read More
Volunteer opportunities in Leeds
River Water Quality Monitoring-Summer – Volunteers Needed 2024 will be the fourth consecutive summer the LCA will coordinate with the Connecticut River Conservancy to monitor the water quality at the new Mill River Greenway-Leeds conservation area north of Chartpak dam. What this means is that each Thursday morning from June 1 through September 7 water samples must be collected... Read More
Caring for Leeds Conservation Areas
Did you know that 25% of Northampton is made up of conservation land? Several parcels are in Leeds. The LCA helps to safeguard the land for users by having trail committee volunteers survey the trails and borders of each conservation area every Autumn. I did it for the first time this year with volunteers, Lora Sandhusen, Erin Mahon-Moore and Justin O’Connor. We walked different... Read More
A Children’s Book That Takes Place in Leeds!
A woman’s boot recovered from the 1874 MIll River flood on display at the Williamsburg Grange; a brown plaid dress, typical of those worn by mill workers during the mid-1800’s; vegetable ivory buttons made on Main Street in Leeds; and the power of the Mill River inspired Amherst artist Nancy Meagher to write a children’s book about a fish, Leeds Button Factory workers and... Read More
The Annual LCA Pumpkin Party Marks it’s 25th year!
Many new families have moved to Leeds since the early years of the party and are joining the effort by participating and contributing in some way to this terrific event. Several families from the early days continue to be part of the mix, a few even bring their grandchildren! The pumpkin party is a beloved tradition that kids are sure to bank in their memory forever. It’s always... Read More
