The Last Green Valley’s (TLGV) Spring Outdoors leaders have guided hikes and tours on tap to celebrate a holiday weekend in the National Heritage Corridor!

Saturday, May 27^th connects past to present at the “Byles Sanctuary Walk” in Ashford at 10 am. This Joshua’s Trust preserve event is double the fun! After the walk enjoy an open house tour of the historic Byles Homestead (now Henrietta House B&B) which sits just off the trail.

Everyone loves firefighters, so “Visit the Huguenot Steamer No. 1 Fire Station Museum” on Saturday, May 27^th from 10 am – noon for a tour to please all ages in North Oxford, MA. While unassuming on the outside, this museum is amazing inside, and the stories are incredible.

The “Pitch Pine Preserve Hike” happens just outside the National Heritage Corridor borders starting at 10 am on Saturday, May 27^th in Groton. This is a difficult hike for experienced hikers, led by the Groton Open Space Association (GOSA). Pre-register by calling 860-536-9811. No dogs on this walk due to the terrain please. If you can’t make it to this one, it is happening again on Saturday, June 17^th.

Fairies are enjoying Spring Outdoors, and you can “Make a Fairy House” on Saturday, May 27^th from 10 am – 3 pm in Joshua’s Trust Bradley-Buchanan Woods, located behind the Mansfield Library. Bring natural materials to make the fairies a comfy home. (This program was originally scheduled for May 13^th, but due to weather, was moved to this new date.)

Two guided hikes led by CT Eastern Railroad Museum’s railroad historian feature different sections of the Air Line Trail, a former rail trail. Sunday, May 28^th at 11 am, “Next Stop: Hampton Station” departs to see spring exploding as you walk to the Hampton Station Site. On Monday, May 29^th, “Chaplin’s Air Line Rail Trail” is ready for you to chug along starting at 2 pm. Both of these rail trail walks are quite scenic, and welcome leashed dogs and families with children.

End the week with adventure and all the fun that “First Friday in Putnam” offers each month from May through October. Main Street closes down from 6 – 9 pm for this family-friendly festival. Celebrating feature films this season, June’s First Friday will leap into Action & Adventure films, celebrating “Iconic Heroes.” From the unlikely teenaged hero Marty McFly saving the future, to the resourceful Katniss Everdeen saving humanity, or the wisecracking Iron Man and his band of Avengers saving the world, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. The evening will give attendees a chance to channel their favorite heroes.

To get all the Spring Outdoor choices, visit www.thelastgreenvalley.org or TLGV’s Facebook page. New adventures are being added all the time, so be sure to check in often!

The Last Green Valley is a National Heritage Corridor – the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C.  The Last Green Valley works for you in the National Heritage Corridor. Together we can care for it, enjoy it and pass it on!