Center of Attraction
GREYLOCK GLEN OUTDOOR CENTER BECOMES A REALITY THIS SUMMER
B y B e n j a m i n L e r n e r P h o t o B y T a y l o r S t a u b a c h
IN THE HILLS AND OPEN CLEARINGS of Greylock Glen in Adams , a project years in the making is taking shape . For the past six decades , hikers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts have explored Greylock Glen ’ s 1,062 acres of pristine woodlands that border the eastern side of the state ’ s flagship state park , Mount Greylock State Reservation , and its tallest peak , Mount Greylock . With over a dozen hiking and snowshoeing trails , picturesque ponds and wetlands , and a breathtaking waterfall , Greylock Glen is a remarkable natural sanctuary . This summer , veteran hikers and curious visiting vacationers will experience the debut of the highly anticipated Greylock Glen Outdoor Center . The center will serve as a hub for environmental education , a meeting place for outdoor recreation adventures , and a welcoming gateway to Greylock Glen and the adjoining 12,500-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation , which collectively support vast networks of hiking and biking trails . This is the first step in an ambitious vision to develop a 50-acre multifaceted outdoor resort that is expected to bolster the burgeoning outdoor tourism economy in the Berkshires .
In the months leading up to the grand opening , the recent appointment of Greylock Glen Outdoor Center Executive Director Michael Wynn has been well- received by the community . After
serving as Pittsfield ’ s police chief for 17 years , he retired in July 2023 . Wynn has said he is grateful to apply his extensive experience in municipal oversight towards the ongoing development at Greylock Glen and is looking forward to channeling his lifelong enthusiasm for outdoorsmanship into his new role .
The hope is that the Outdoor Center will spur economic growth and draw more people to Greylock Glen , paving the way for subsequent phases of ecologically conscious development . Although the new center is the only fully approved and funded development project at Greylock Glen to date , a sustainable camper park proposed by Daniel Dus , owner and founder of Shared Estates , is projected to open in two years . The town of Adams also is seeking to attract other likeminded investment partners to collaborate on other potential projects , such as a lodge and amphitheater .
THE OUTDOOR CENTER
Conceptualized as a base camp , the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center will feature retail spaces , an exhibit space , a central gathering area , a café , and an educational center managed by Mass Audubon . Publicly funded through state and federal grants and overseen by the town of Adams , the $ 8.3 million dollar project broke ground in July 2022 . It was built by the Adams-based contracting firm
Souliere & Zepka , and its completion is anticipated for this June . “ We ’ re looking forward to welcoming all visitors coming to the Glen , whether they ’ re here getting oriented , looking at exhibits , taking an environmental education class , or having something to eat before or after hitting the trails ,” says Adams Special Projects Manager Donna Cesan . “ It ’ s going to greatly enhance the visitor experience for anyone who comes to Greylock Glen .”
According to Cesan , developing Greylock Glen Resort started two decades ago . Although earlier efforts proved unsuccessful , the enthusiastic persistence of the town government spurred the project forward . Organizations such as Mass Audubon and the Appalachian Mountain Club played key roles in advising and consulting during the initial development , and a local advisory committee worked to move the project forward from 2007 to 2010 . That led to a master lease agreement with the state in 2014 . “ We foresaw the rising trend in outdoor recreation more than a decade ago ,” says Adams Town Administrator Jay Green . “ This project is going to help grow the economies of neighboring towns as more and more visitors come to the Berkshires and come to explore Greylock Glen .”
The beautifully designed Outdoor Center integrates naturally with its surroundings . ( Note the center ’ s three
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